In recent years, shows like Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and Empire – all featuring African Americans in prominent roles in front of and behind the cameras – have become favorites of viewers of all races. Many African Americans (and others) have cheered this development as long overdue in an industry where people of color fight for roles and recognition. Others assert that the shows do more harm than good, as the African American protagonists serve to reinforce negative stereotypes of African Americans. Who’s right?
Before that question can be satisfactorily answered, the conditions that give rise to the question must be confronted. In his 1903 book, The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. DuBois wrote, “One ever feels his twoness - an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.” Translation: It is nearly impossible to be a person of color without being acutely aware of what the majority culture thinks of you.
When the question is framed in this manner, it should be apparent that neither side of this debate is entirely right or wrong. Those who assert that watching Scandal, Empire, or any other show will make a white person believe stereotypes are overlooking the fact that believing stereotypes is a choice. It’s basically a confirmation bias. Worded in a less academic fashion, you will always find what you are looking for. For instance, those who bash rap music never talk about “Fight the Power,” but will enthusiastically recite the lyrics to any rap song that fits the negative view of Black culture they are looking to present. You find what you're looking for.
On the other hand, those who opine that the new crop of shows are “just entertainment” are overlooking an unfortunate reality. In light of the stark racial segregation that remains in American elementary schools, universities, and neighborhoods - segregation that has been aided and abetted by the Supreme Court in cases such as Milliken v. Bradley, San Antonio v. Rodriguez, Parents Involved, and many others - people of color and whites do not interact on a regular basis as friends. In fact, one study indicates that the average white person only has one black friend. Just one. Of course, this lack of exposure doesn’t absolve white people from the obligation to be anti-racist. However, this lack of interaction is a real issue. Do we really want television to fill the void?
In sum, I will admit that I enjoy every (drip, drop, drip-drippety) drop of drama on Empire. I also emphatically believe that it is the duty of whites not to be racist, as people of color should not have to alter their lives to “earn” the right to be treated with respect or dignity. However, until we right the wrongs of Milliken, San Antonio, and other cases, we will continue to live in a segregated society. As long as that segregated society exists, African Americans and other people of color will continue to be of two minds about any depiction of our culture in the mass media.
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