This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Amanda Bexley. This is NOT the opinion of the Taylor Press.
It has never been more important for audiences to critically analyze the indirect messages being conveyed to them through entertainment media. Inaccurate and harmful portrayals of black people in movies continues to perpetuate antiblack narratives. Just seeing the presence of Black characters on your screen is not indicative of true Black representation. This is in large part due to limited black representation behind the scenes in positions such as casting agent, director, producer and writers (just to name a few).
Many movies that are considered by most to be anti-racist are actually prolonging the problem by using a “white savior” narrative. Black people are often portrayed as childlike, unintelligent and incompetent, needing to be “saved” by the white characters.
A prime example of this is the movie “The Blind Side,” where leading white actress Sandra Bullock self-servingly “saves” Michael Oher and brings him into her life of white privilege, saving him from the implied undertone that black people are destined for lives of crime.
A 2011 study conducted by The Opportunity Agenda on the impact of media portrayals of black men and boys on their lived experiences found that black men have “distorted representation” in the media that prolongs racial stereotypes against them.
The study also found that black men tend to be underrepresented as intellectually accomplished and competent, with physical strength or athletic prowess more often emphasized, and are often portrayed as having a persona that is threatening or violent. These warped understandings towards black males lead to negative real-world consequences for them. Constant exposure to stereotypical black characters in the media and entertainment industry negatively impacts viewer’s perceived beliefs and attitudes towards Black people.
Now that we can recognize the problem, what do we do to fix/ change this? Research has proven that personal connections, especially with people from different ethnic backgrounds is the best way to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of one another. So, I say to my fellow white people-If your social network (personal contact, NOT social media) consists of only people from the same ethnical background as you, recognize the opportunity you have for personal growth by adding diversity to your circle of influence. As I have said before, when we know better, we can do better.
