Issues in Black America - Essay Example

African Americans have come a long way in the media’s eye, however little has changed.  African Americans are visible on television, radio, and film, but the stereotypical concepts are promoted subliminally.  In the early part of the twentieth century, African Americans played the role of coon, mammies, and minstrels.  The only difference between the past and present is African Americans choose to play these roles with one another instead of next to a white actor or actress.

Successful on the radio, the Amos and Andy radio show depicted two black men played by white men in 1928.  The theme of the show was two black migrants from the south adjusting to urban living.  The pair decided to open a business and appeared to end up in a tight squeeze.  “..One of the most popular programs in the history of radio broadcasting…” the NAACP protested the image of the show about black people.   Chapters 19, slide 10.  Today, one can find the same type of skits on morning radio shows in urban areas.

  Many of these morning shows have African Americans laughing, joking, and appearing unintelligent.  For example, there is a radio show based in Baltimore, Maryland.  The show airs in the evening, the hostname is Pork Chop, and his sidekick is Squirrel Wyde.  The name of the show is ‘Off the Hook Radio’ and during the show whenever something happens he blurts out the term ‘you stupid!’   Instead of two white men depicting black people ‘shucking and jiving’, in the twenty-first century, black men are playing the role voluntarily.

  When we look at television, the same phenomenon has occurred.  When Andy and Amos moved from the airwaves to the big screen in 1951, the sitcom became very popular.  This time black men played the characters, but complaints about the show forced its cancellation. Chap 19.  During the latter part of the twentieth century shows like Martin, The Steve Harvey Show, display black men who appear regular yet they are always laughing and joking, just like the minstrel shows of the past.