Black in America

CNN has produced a documentary that will be airing July 23 and 24 called "Black in America." This will definitely be a momentous occasion. Never, to my knowledge, has there been an entire series devoted to the Black race that not only highlights the negatives, but celebrates the many accomplishments we have made as a race. The 5 hour series will includes 3 segments: The Black Woman and Family, The Black Man, and the King Assassination. Here is preview of the show:



CNN's Soledad O' Brien was interviewed on the Steve Harvey Morning Show earlier this week about the series and she said that the motivation behind the show was there there is s much coverage available highlighting the criminality and negativity of the black community, but the triumphs and successes are rarely covered. According to a majority of media coverage, it would seem that most blacks are poor, imprisoned, and uneducated.
The news media has been accused of further perpetuating these stereotypes so much that the ideas have been embedded in people's mind almost subconsciously. In lieu of the series Essence writer, Cynthia Gordy wrote an article in which she looked at the way black children are treated as a result of these stereotypes. Gordy interviewed a victim who was hauled off two jail after being charged with two misdemeanors. This culprit was 5-years old.
I'm glad that CNN has decided to produce this documentary. Hopefully, it's a move in the direction for more fair and equal coverage.
However, to play the devil's advocate for a moment, are journalists truly further perpetuating societal stereotypes or are they just mirroring the perceptions of society?