The Importance of African American Media: When the Man

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African American media is more important thanAAPRC has been very proactive in providing the
ever to address not only the many stereotypesvoices and addressing the issues that impact the
about African Americans, but also to highlightAfrican American community, case in point
many of the issues that impact the African“Upfront with Tony Cox,” a daily
American community and other communities ofnews/talk program featuring an award-winning
color.journalist and role model. Meanwhile, African
With the decreasing numbers in media diversity,American men continue to feel the full brunt of
the voices disseminating the messages to thethe negative stereotypes and limited or
viewing and listening public are sadly causing a risenonexistent, positive voices and faces.
in many misperceptions that exist in society as itIn the report, Young Men of Color in the Media:
pertains to people of color.Images and Impacts by Robert M. Entman for
From Assistant Professor Angie Chuang discussingthe Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies,
how the media emasculates Asian and Black menthe negative stereotypes of African American
in The Root to commentator John Ridley onand Hispanic men are “varied and
National Public Radio (NPR) addressing thesubtle.” The report further states that,
media’s negative portrayal of Blacks“Media stereotypes are recurring
primarily as “thugs” despite somessages that associate persons of color with
many positive role models, Black or Africantraits, behaviors, and values generally considered
American men deserve better imaging.undesirable, inferior, or dangerous…. Both
“If your voice is not included in theprint and electronic journalism frequently connect
national conversation, then your reality can remainthe following concepts with YMC (Young Men of
invisible. It becomes problematic when others areColor): crime, violence, hyper-sexuality, poverty
then defining their reality AND your(especially undeserving poverty—that is,
reality,” comments Loretta Rucker,poverty due to character flaws of the
Executive Director, African American Public Radioindividual)—and welfare.”
Consortium (AAPRC), an umbrella organization ofUnfortunately, these stereotypes are experienced
20 African American stations in public radio.by African American men - both young and old -
“But everything has itsand reinforces the need for African American
‘time’ and this could be the agemedia to provide the diverse outlet to address
when a greater number of African American menthese images and correct the misinformation, if
increasingly and authentically inject their truth intonot just for the mainstream market, but for the
the national discourse. Let’s faceprotection of the cultural legacy.
it…this last decade has destroyed thePortraying African American men only as
myth that African American men are the angriestimpoverished and desperate criminals harms the
group on earth, as we have been shown whatemotional psyche of the whole community as well
real rage is.”as the social balance. Furthermore, just relegating
This situation makes it clear regarding theAfrican American males to the sports and
important role that the African American mediaentertainment assignments limits their full capacity
plays in projecting the more positive andas journalists.
proactive images of African Americans, especiallyAfrican American media provides opportunities to
African American men, and the added value ofbroaden the range and expertise of African
this well-rounded coverage in the societalAmerican men, in particular, and to showcase the
mainstream.intelligent and polished images that young African
Currently, the African American media forecastAmerican males need to see more of to emulate.
has not been positive. National Public Radio“The African American man has had a
canceled its African American news showcomplex and unique row to hoe, and their
“News & Notes” calling anexperience is a profoundly American
end to a top-notch, national radio newscastexperience,” adds Rucker.
dedicated to African American news and“Engaging and voicing their perspectives
viewpoints and leading African American magazinewill ultimately enrich their communities.
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