The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #123271 Message #2712845
Posted By: Azizi
31-Aug-09 - 08:53 AM
Thread Name: BS: Media's Role In Helping to End Racism
Subject: RE: BS: Media's Role In Helping to End Racism
Yet, there has been examples of the media having a positive, educational impact, awakening social consciousness, and prompting people to learn more about history or current circumstances.
In addition, some media programming has also helped to foster self-esteem and positive group identity in People of Color.
A television mini-series that comes to my mind which addressed/addresses all of these points is Roots.
See this excerpt from Wikipedia:
"Roots is a 1977 American television miniseries based on Alex Haley's work Roots: The Saga of an American Family.
Roots received 36 Emmy Award nominations. It went on to win nine Emmys, a Golden Globe, and a Peabody Award. It received unprecedented Nielsen ratings with the finale still standing as the third-highest rated U.S. television program ever,[1] behind the series finale of M*A*S*H, Super Bowl XLII, and Super Bowl XLIII. It captivated American television audiences, successfully crossing racial lines and piqueing the interest of families of all ethnic groups."
-snip-
Also, see this comment:
"In 1977 I was 10 years old, and all I remember is the majority of the city where I live was watching Roots each day for a week. I recently bought the video and watched it with my now 10 year old son, who is Black and I show him the importance of getting an education because our ancestors weren't allowed such luxuries. At his age everything is rosy just like it was when I was 10, but hopefully he can reflect back on this movie to motivate him in the future.
Great cast of characters-even though I didn't realize that O.J. Simpson was in it! John Amos was the best and the funniest especially when he kept losing his character's African accent and sounding more like "James" on Good Times! Overall the movie is very touching and will have you experiencing mixed emotions if you're of the Black race, and have compassion if you're of other races that haven't experienced such things. I highly recommend this film and a book called the Miseducation of the Negro as Black family heirlooms-or for anyone who wants to be enlightened concerning a portion of Black history." sbrnnxn from usa