African American Portrayal in the American Media - Past and Present

The manner in which African Americans are portrayed in the all-mighty news and entertainment media also gives us a chance to understand how we are perceived in mainstream America.  The shift in the nature and characterization of African Americans in entertainment has evolved from "Buckwheat" to "Mammy" (Gone With the Wind), all the way to "Shaft" and "The Mack" to "successful" family-centered entertainment - "The Cosbys" "The Bernie Mack Show", and now, "Everybody Hates Chris".  An examination of the article "Still Representing Black Families on TV" by Karu F. Daniels of Entertainment Newswire, says, "To the delight of many, this bold and sometimes brazen series follows in the tradition of black families on television dating all the way back to the 1960s when Diahann Carroll made history with 'Julia.' While that particular show focused more on her professional career as a nurse, the fact that it depicted a working class, single mother spoke volumes during the turbulent 1960s."  Karu also notes, "There was no mother figure in 'Sanford and Son,' but the 1970s comical send-up depicted a distinctive black father and son dynamic – something that isn't commonly celebrated in society."

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