PR Newswire wrote an article about a company based in Los Angeles, California – BlackTV247.com. The BTV247 is a digital media company that is “focused exclusively on Black culture.” This website will host a number of Black-inspired programming that are free such as the Dave Chappelle Show, the Jefferson’s, Tyra Banks, and many more including many of BTV247’s original programming. One of their original shows being streamed is The Trial Of HueyNewton which is a documentary hosted by the current Miss Arizona that shows the never before seen footage of the Black Panther Party. David Hilliard, the founding Black Panther Party Chief of Staff, says that, “BlackTV247.com will facilitate a level of uncensored cultural expression that was inconceivable when the Black Panther Party was founded in 1966.” He was also eager that this footage will be available to a greater audience. BlackTV247 will offer a number of genres from domestic to international, comedy to politics (all which are “Black-inspired programming), in order to appeal to all of the wants of their viewers.
“Black consumer expenditures are expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2012 and BlackTV247.com’s unique combination of original and acquired programming, targets a consumer market which is becoming more diverse relative to its programming appetite” according the enthusiastic CEO of BTV247, Justin Beckett. A recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People and Press showed that “71% of American and 68% African Americans – 90% of which represents black teenagers – are actively using the Internet, an indication that the nation’s online population is steadily on the increase.” An Emmy-nominated producer, Cox, said that BTV247.com is set up nicely to be the exclusive site for fans of Black-inspired programming and as a result, being very successful.
Is creating an exclusively black website in the best interest of African Americans? Though it makes money for the producers and it entertains people watching, it very well may be promoting the stereotype which has historically led to the discrimination of African Americans. As David Croteau and William Hoynes said in their book, Media Society, that, "historically, African Americans and other minorities have responded by producing a culture of resistance” (210). One way to help break down stereotype is to produce more shows like The Cosby Show on the major networks. The Cosby Show was aired on NBC which appeals to all kinds of races. This program showed an extremely successful black family where the father was a doctor, the wife a lawyer, and five wonderful children who lived in a nice home. This was a positive view of the black family who was not retaliating but who were actively productive humans in their society. If blacks want to put forth a positive image, then air shows like The Cosby Show on a NBC like venue where you are reaching many races and stop having these exclusive channels and websites that continue to show African Americans in a sub culture. If African Americans want to be in mainstream America, they should stop producing a “culture of resistance.” African Americans should produce more shows like The Cosby Show on major networks that appeal to many different kinds of races that depict an African American family being a part of society and not resisting; therefore, putting forth a positive image.
Sarah
No comments:
Post a Comment