White media dictate black culture, tastes

Daily Orange (Syracuse U.) ^ | 4/29/03 | Clecia Thompson

[NorCoGOP]

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- White people are the dictators of our cultural experience due to their overwhelming control of the monetary economy. During his visit to Syracuse University earlier this month, Haile Gerima posed that point among several others.

"White people in positions of power determine the cultural diet of the world," said writer, director and producer of the powerful black film "Sankofa."

And he is right.

Filmic and other artistic productions cost money, which is spread too thinly in black communities. As a result, we have less of a voice in the cultural development of our nation.

Much of today's art, especially musical, is the offspring of what Europeans took part in. The shape of that art became molded by powerful white hands. Blacks and others in a secondary position are merely puppets in the white man's show.

Gerima also said "television is a white supremacist culture by language and aesthetics. Black people are the primary consumers of television." Nowhere is that point better substantiated than with BET, a white-run Viacom-owned channel capturing millions of black eyes by broadcasting demeaning and stereotypical content under the cloak of "black entertainment."

The channel marginalizes and Americanizes blacks. "Happy Kwanzaa" advertisements in December are the only time the channel remotely revisits Africa. If this were truly Black Entertainment Television, the channel would acknowledge blacks did not originate in America.

In his article "Framing Blackness," Ed Guerrero speaks in unison with Gerima. "The movie industry routinely ignores black filmic aspirations and marginalizes black box office power until it can be called on, as a sort of reserve audience, to make up sinking profit margins at any given moment of economic crisis," he wrote.

Only until Hollywood needs black dollars does it cater to blacks. But even then, as Gerima said, the films made for black audiences are constructed under a white-guided premise.

Money supposedly equals power -- and in most cases, it does. But wealthy whites successfully formulized a way to manipulate black people into parting with their money under the guise of supporting and bettering other blacks.

We allow whites to define entertainment and culture, yet they are unconcerned with preserving our heritage. Nor do they care about accurate representations.

But they do care about money. At the end of the day, even if that money touched the tips of black fingers, it is stilled hued green.

[mhking]

So, "black culture" is the white man's fault? Is there anything else left to "blame Whitey" for? Feh....

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[areafiftyone]

So, "black culture" is the white man's fault? Is there anything else left to "blame Whitey" for?

UMMMM Let me think! Oh yea! White Out! Invented by White people for white people! ;-)

[wideawake]

Ah, so this is why half the white teenagers in the US think they are gangsta MCs.

[Williams]

"But wealthy whites successfully formulized a way to manipulate black people into parting with their money under the guise of supporting and bettering other blacks."

Huh? I wonder how long it will take for America to realize this kind of nonsense is completely racist? It matters whether popular culture is influenced by white or black skinned people only if you are a racist. I predict at least 50 years for black racism to be outmoded, if then.

[stand watie]

the dim-bulbs of the left are nothing if not CONSISTENTLY DUMB!

FRee dixie,sw

[KellyAdmirer]

If this were truly Black Entertainment Television, the channel would acknowledge blacks did not originate in America.

That is just a bizarre statement. What is that supposed to mean? Why is it necessary to "acknowledge" (I assume with great regularity - every day? Every week? In every news show?) that blacks "originated" somewhere else? (Actually, we all usually originate in a bed, but that's another story.) And, for that matter, where did "whites" originate, and why don't the "white" stations "acknowledge" that?

Some things about the left are just mystifying.

[Conspiracy Guy]

My question is, "What does the author think the solution is?" I get tired of people saying, "This is a huge problem", and the offer no solution. What I hear is "blah blah whitey". Gimme a break.

[ClearCase_guy]

Funny, when I watch TV and I see ads for the Gap, or Target, I always think, "I bet the folks in the ghetto really like those ads -- but they sure turn me off."
When my child watches Sesame Street, I always think, "How come Big Bird is dancing to a hip hop beat? He must not live on a street in my town."
When I turn on the radio and listen to Dick Clark rave about the new crop of brilliant musicians, why do I always ask myself, "Who is Eminem? Who is Cisqo? What is an Usher?"

[SunStar]

Last I checked, white kids are the one's emulating black "thug" culture...

[Conspiracy Guy]

Don't you get what the author says, "Whitey created the Black Thug culture". . Pay attention.

[dighton]

In his article "Framing Blackness," Ed Guerrero speaks in unison with Gerima. "The movie industry routinely ignores black filmic aspirations and marginalizes black box office power until it can be called on, as a sort of reserve audience, to make up sinking profit margins at any given moment of economic crisis," he wrote.

A fiendishly clever and diabolical scheme. I wonder, how do they pull it off?

;-)

[Our man in washington]

"The channel marginalizes and Americanizes blacks. "Happy Kwanzaa" advertisements in December are the only time the channel remotely revisits Africa."

Very remotely, considering Kwanzaa was invented in the United States and has little if anything to do with Africa.

[CSM]

Gerima also said "television is a white supremacist culture by language and aesthetics. Black people are the primary consumers of television." Nowhere is that point better substantiated than with BET, a white-run Viacom-owned channel capturing millions of black eyes by broadcasting demeaning and stereotypical content under the cloak of "black entertainment."

They are not offered a choice of watching or not? I guess the TV is really a hypnotic device that forces millions of people to watch and watch and watch........I now feel guilty for BET, damn and I don't even like that channel.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Far too many blacks blame all life's problems on their blackness. If blacks truly represent 12% of the population, which is what is reported, then is it expected that America's culture be centered on that 12%? The market determines the "filmic"(what a word!) expenditures of those who invest in and produce such films. (Unless, of course, it is filched from the taxpayer.) There are lots of very rich black people in this country, especially in the entertainment field, including athletics, so the money is available if furthering the African culture is what they want to do with it.

I am sure that it was white culture that bestowed the name Clecia on Ms. Thompson.

[AbsoluteJustice]

It's so easy for the author to play the victim isn't it? The new trend is to whine and play victim then you get what you want.

[texson66]

What I hear is "blah blah whitey".

Santa's Little helper has the same problem!

Bart: "Sit! Sit! ....You stupid dog! I guess you want some food!

SLH hears: blah blah blah blah blah blah FOOD!

[theDentist]

He's right in 1 aspect, Hollywood has a vast hold on the way various cultures see themselves. So, if they want to blame whites, they should dtart with the white liberals in Hollywood, and those "community leaders" they consult as well.

[Psycho_Bunny]

If this were truly Black Entertainment Television, the channel would acknowledge blacks did not originate in America.

That's true.  Blacks can only be "authentically" entertained is by moving to Sudan or some such country.

Piss or get off the pot, Clecia.