what are your thoughts? is there sufficient representation? do we need more? would we watch more? do we need a black channel like BET? do we need some black actors and presenters? maybe more writers, producers and directors? do we need direct and targeted programming like Desmonds was? what opportunities are out there for training and how realistic is it for a voice to be heard?
Actually old chap, the Black Evil Tv/ Black Embarrassmebt TV is already here on our shores via sky and cable broadcast.
I & I ain't a prude, but at the same time, l know bare ignorance when one see it. BET agenda, despite being staff, owned and operated by so-called brothers & sisters, is the destruction of Black & mixed-race kids.
Fresh from laying the Black community in the USA to waste, these Black s are now here to wreck havoc on our already out of control youngsters.
I could tell you stuff about the mad ideology of BET, that you will not believe.
I say (U know the drill) BET.
I don't entertain the sub-culture of vulgarity and point of no return ignorance!
Originally posted by shaunly: what are your thoughts? is there sufficient representation? do we need more? would we watch more? do we need a black channel like BET? do we need some black actors and presenters? maybe more writers, producers and directors? do we need direct and targeted programming like Desmonds was? what opportunities are out there for training and how realistic is it for a voice to be heard?
I often wonder why our TV screens aren't a bit more multiracial then they are. I suppose it's all relative - we're doing a lot better than France, for example - but I go get the feeling that there were more black actors on the screen when I was growing up (I'm in my late thirties) than there are now. It's almost as though everyone in the media is so worried about being accused of racism that they'd rather not have black people doing different things on the screen. Back in the 70s and 80s people didn't care about being thought of as racists, but they were perhaps more curious, more intrigued about the idea of having a black family living next door, or working with a black colleague, or gaining a black son-in-law. It was new and exotic for them.
TV has moved on to other interests now. That hasn't meant lots of 'colourblind casting', but maybe more of an indifference towards black actors rather than hostility. I don't know.
The good thing is that the black actors you do see are now playing a wider variety of roles, and sometimes you get black actors playing parts you wouldn't normally expect. For example, I was intrigued to see a black actress playing Nancy in a new TV version of 'Oliver Twist', and the recent TV 'Robin Hood' not only had a Middle Eastern Muslim woman as part of the 'Merrie Band, but at one stage it had a black woman playing the part of a spy pretending to be a nun! I'd like to see more of this. It adds an extra layer of interest to historical drama, which is one of my favourite genres.
Does anyone remember 'Shoot the Messenger', the controversial drama from a year or so ago? You might have disapproved of the message, but you must have been excited to see so many black actors given such interesting parts to play!
Well said Miss Dee - it is time TV companies stopped seeing black people as 'black' people and just people. Then, and only then, will we see a level playing field. The Sharon Foster play: Shoot the Messenger was a good example of a ground breaking drama. Sadly, since its broadcast, we have seen little else of substance. If you liked Shoot the Messenger you would love the book: One Love Two Colours, by Margaret Oshindele, as it covers much of the same topics.
I couldn't agree more, Black people need to be more represented on television. Although programmes like Desmond's was fun viewing, more regular roles should be casted for Black people. I think too much political correctness can be hindering Black actors in getting mainstream parts?
I think too much political correctness can be hindering Black actors in getting mainstream parts?
Yes, I think that might have something to do with it. It's ironic really, because political correctness was supposed to benefit minorities, not penalise them!
Bobby S.
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll have to look into Margaret Oshindele.
Thanks Miss Dee - hope you like it! I have it on good authority that Mrs Oshindele will be appearing on Premier Radio, on 26/05/08, between 9.00-10.00am, talking about her book. It might be interesting.
Originally posted by Jim of the south: I would like to think people are employed on merit - not on colour.
Me too. But are you saying that there are few black actors with any merit?
Maybe that's the case. But it's a situation that can be remedied, if there's a will to do so. And if there are black actors with merit who are being passed over for other reasons, that definately needs to be tackled, don't you think?
I don't see a problem here, unless you fear that equality for black actors somehow means black actors taking over and ruining things for everyone else. Why should you think that? That's bizarre.
Originally posted by Jim of the south: I would like to think people are employed on merit - not on colour.
You would like to think indeed that everyone is employed on merit er?
Funny you have NEVER stop to think why Black people with excellent qualifications in their chosen fields are not employed based on merit as they got the skills required?
I guess, you are one of those who strongly believe Jah kids are good for nothing but cleaning up after you, working as cleaners and they being educated professionals seeking a share of these jobs, is surely punching above their station in your view?
The fact that there's loads of good Black actors, directors, playwright, script writers and all sorts in the art world and they are not employed to porstrayed their own culture and experiences, doesn't seem to bother you one bit.
You sound like the usual fake liberals who think that they know what best for jah kids, so they always insists on commissioning distorted wack versions of so-called Black characters/shows/documentaries and all sorts to do with Blacks, while shuting out Black artists from producing these programs.
They even had the cheek to let their proxy army represent our views on TV. This is the sort of thing you seem to like to promote, don't you jimmy old chap?
Well, all one can say is, as long as you keep supporting this unjust racist bias against us, the more we will keep sticking the truth down your throat. I mean, your chips on shoulders response have never fooled decent whites, talkless of us.
If that's the case then it means we ought to increase the scope of civil rights laws, not that we ought to implement affirmative action. It's unlawful in this country anyway.
Originally posted by Jim of the south: I would like to think people are employed on merit - not on colour.
Me too. But are you saying that there are few black actors with any merit?
Maybe that's the case. But it's a situation that can be remedied, if there's a will to do so. And if there are black actors with merit who are being passed over for other reasons, that definately needs to be tackled, don't you think?
I don't see a problem here, unless you fear that equality for black actors somehow means black actors taking over and ruining things for everyone else. Why should you think that? That's bizarre.
If they are good enough they will get the job. Simple.
Originally posted by Jim of the south: I would like to think people are employed on merit - not on colour.
Me too. But are you saying that there are few black actors with any merit?
Maybe that's the case. But it's a situation that can be remedied, if there's a will to do so. And if there are black actors with merit who are being passed over for other reasons, that definately needs to be tackled, don't you think?
I don't see a problem here, unless you fear that equality for black actors somehow means black actors taking over and ruining things for everyone else. Why should you think that? That's bizarre.
If they are good enough they will get the job. Simple.
So you've got lots of faith in the TV companies, and media organisations. That's good. But what you're also saying is that black actors are probably rather bad, which is why there are few of them on the screen. It's an interesting assumption to make.
Maybe it would be good for us to start referencing articles and websites on this issue. I should think quite a lot of research has gone into it.
Originally posted by Jim of the south: I would like to think people are employed on merit - not on colour.
Me too. But are you saying that there are few black actors with any merit?
Maybe that's the case. But it's a situation that can be remedied, if there's a will to do so. And if there are black actors with merit who are being passed over for other reasons, that definately needs to be tackled, don't you think?
I don't see a problem here, unless you fear that equality for black actors somehow means black actors taking over and ruining things for everyone else. Why should you think that? That's bizarre.
If they are good enough they will get the job. Simple.
So you've got lots of faith in the TV companies, and media organisations. That's good. But what you're also saying is that black actors are probably rather bad, which is why there are few of them on the screen. It's an interesting assumption to make.
Maybe it would be good for us to start referencing articles and websites on this issue. I should think quite a lot of research has gone into it.
I did not say that so please dont put words in my mouth.
funny how people say things in a covert indirect way, but once others blatant state what they really met, they start too pretend that they never really met what they said.
Trying to hide the truth, ain't an easy job now, is it?
its funny how apologists for racism alway look for lame excuses to justify there vile lies, but once taken to task, they resort to denial at best, or censorship at worst.
Originally posted by Jim of the south: I would like to think people are employed on merit - not on colour.
Me too. But are you saying that there are few black actors with any merit?
Maybe that's the case. But it's a situation that can be remedied, if there's a will to do so. And if there are black actors with merit who are being passed over for other reasons, that definately needs to be tackled, don't you think?
I don't see a problem here, unless you fear that equality for black actors somehow means black actors taking over and ruining things for everyone else. Why should you think that? That's bizarre.
If they are good enough they will get the job. Simple.
So you've got lots of faith in the TV companies, and media organisations. That's good. But what you're also saying is that black actors are probably rather bad, which is why there are few of them on the screen. It's an interesting assumption to make.
Maybe it would be good for us to start referencing articles and websites on this issue. I should think quite a lot of research has gone into it.
I did not say that so please dont put words in my mouth.
You don't have to speak in riddles, you know! We're all anonymous, so you might as well say what you mean! Why do you think there are relatively few black faces on our screens? You must have some thoughts about that.
I've been looking at some websites, and quite a few people do actually think there are some issues around this whole thing. It's not something that only Shaunly has been reflecting on.
s are now here to wreck havoc on our already out of control youngsters.
