How The Media consistently presents a warped portrayal of Black people
The media portrayal of Black individuals produces false images of them and it perpetuates stereotypes and racism against the Black community. VIBE 105 discusses racism perpetuated by popular media.
By: Janica Maya
The media plays a critical role as an essential institution in any nation – mainly towards disseminating information and stories for mass consumption. Therefore defining, reinforcing and shaping values, cultural norms and the society, at large.
However, media can manipulate viewers on what is true by producing deceptive messages in films, Television, news and popular social media platforms. As media continues to portray Black people with false images of them, it perpetuates stereotypes and racism against the Black communities.
The portrayal of Black people in the media affects the way others perceive them in reality. A distorted representation creates problematic understandings and attitudes amongst viewers and media consumers. For instance, media negatively associates Black men with criminality, violence, unemployment and poverty. Audiences with little to no knowledge and experience of how media works would perceive this image as the true realities of many Black men. It is dangerous to mistake the media as a reflection of the real world.
