Media, Media...What are they Feedin' Ya?: Positive News on Rapper Ludacris's Efforts

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Positive News on Rapper Ludacris's Efforts

Now why don't we see stuff like this all over the news? If Ludacris were going to jail every American would be hearing about it already, but instead he is making a postive effort for the African American community and it is no where to be found in the media. Rapper, Ludacris, is participating in a $300 million dollar campaign to travel to cities with high populations of African Americans and explain the importance of the 2010 Census. Luda has already visited Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta and Washington D.C. This is the type of news that needs to be flooding MTV, VH1 and any news network, as opposed to gun charges and jail visits.

By:ahgrimes

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Credits

During this project each individual of the group took a different approach to the way African Americans are portrayed in the media.

Sheneka L: Most of the work done by Sheneka was blogging about the different shades of African Americans and how they are portrayed in the media.

Kehley P: Most of the work done by Kehley was blogging about the common stereotypes surrounding African Americans found in all forms of media, including TV news reporters and movies.

Alison G: Most of the work done by Alison was blogging about the excess negative portrayal of African Americans in the music industry. She also set up blog and created title name.

KayLeigh G: Most of the work done by KayLeigh was blogging about common archetypes portrayed by African American actors and actresses.

Katherine H: Most of the work done by Katherine was blogging about the discrimination and stereotyping of African-Americans that is shown in print and news media.

All group members came together to put movie and sound pieces together.

References

Subject: African Americans and the Media

1) “Mass Media and Racism”

Description: This website offers an essay on racism and the media, and how the media is portraying African Americans in a false light. The essay attributes racism in the media to the White population seeking to retain their economic status by portraying negative stereotypes about the black communities.

LINK: http://www.yale.edu/ypq/articles/oct99/oct99b.html

2) “Mobile, Alabama Leprechaun Crackhead Pot of Gold”

Description: This video is a YouTube clip of a news report of a supposed leprechaun found by the locals in a black community in Mobile, Alabama. This news clip portrays the several stereotypes of African Americans that TV news reporters perpetuate, including superstition, drugs, and poverty.

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM7CL-Vyo1U

3) “How Blacks are Portrayed in the Media”

Description: This article presents information on how network and cable television is still portraying blacks negatively despite all the strides blacks have made to overcome oppression in America. The author argues that portrayals of black on TV are limited to stereotypical roles and are not representative of the true population. She goes on further to talk about black women’s portrayals as “sex kittens” instead in smart, educated people.

LINK: http://www.authorsden.com/categories/story_top.asp?id=25552&catid=30

4) “25 Years of Black in Media”

Description: This in an article in a business publication that offers a history of blacks in the media as well as discusses the many frustrations that they have faced in the media, beginning in the 1960’s. The author discusses how blacks have made a comeback in the media industry, where they used to be nonexistent, by buying and operating their own radio and television properties.

LINK: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_n12_v25/ai_17179364/

5) “Precious” Movie Trailer

Description: This is the official movie trailer of the movie “Precious”. The trailer portrays several stereotypes often associated with black life, including poverty, abuse, and obesity.

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5FYahzVU44&feature=fvw

1-Hank Johnson Worries Guam could “capsize” after Marine Buildup

Description: This article talks about the remarks made recently by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA). He was talking to the House Armed Services Committee on March 25 about the increase of troops on the tiny island of Guam. In his remarks he uses the metaphor of the island “capsizing” by this increase of life on the island. He was talking about the ecosystem and plant life not being about to withstand this increase. His words were taken out of context and made into a joke. This helps to perpetuate the stereotype that all African-Americans are unintelligent and also uninformed.

Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20001567-503544.html

2- Guam “Capsizing”

Description: This is the video that includes the comments made by Hank Johnson regarding Guam.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNZczIgVXjg

3- Mo’Nique Surprises Stars by Showing off Her Hairy Legs

Description: One of the videos below is from her appearance on Barbara Walters Oscar Night special. In it she talks about her life, past abuse, and her husband. But yet even with all she has to tell the biggest question from Barbara is about her legs and lack of shaving. I also have an article from the UK Dailymail that discusses Mo’Nique and not wanting to shave but yet makes the comment about how surprising it was that her toes were pedicure. Both show the double standard in Hollywood for women of color, especially ones that have just won Academy Awards.

Link Oscar Special: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/video/barbara-walters-oscar-night-special-10036947?tab=9482931&section=10013630

Link Dailymail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1244457/Precious-actress-MoNique-shows-hairy-legs-Golden-Globe-awards.html

Not claiming the "Black side"/ wanting to be Light Skin

Description: This is a video from the Tyra Banks show. It is about a girl who is half black, half white and doesn't want to claim the black side but would rather be light skin, because while she doesn't claim the black side she looks 100% Black.

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=xM2_w-m_UFs&feature=related

Dark Skin Women Need Not Apply

Description: This article is about Diddy who made a casting call for his brand of Vodka however he states that Latina, White and Light Skin women were the only ones that could apply for casting for the Vodka commercial.

Link: http://www.laprogressive.com/rankism/diddys-dumb-deed

Historical African American Archetypes

1. Description: This information gave me some great ideas for African American archetypes in television, movies, and the media. I also found some good examples of these archetypes that I could research more deeply.

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotypes_of_African_Americans

2. Description: This is a video clipping from Madea’s family reunion. This video portrays Madea as the “Mammy” archetype. Madea is wise, caring, and nobody can mess with her!

Link: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2811494681/

3. Description: This website provided photos and information on the Disney film “Song of the South.” Uncle Remus portrays the “Magical Black Friend” archetype. I was able to learn more about the movie and Uncle Remus’ role.

Media, Media...What are they Feedin' Ya?