Racism in Television essays

Racism in Television essays Beginning with the first television program ever broadcasted lasting up to the most recent program; racism has been a prevalent issue in American television. Stereotypical roles in society have been excessively exaggerated by television programs, keeping racism alive and breathing in America. The careful selections of ethnicities in role casting have had an exceptionally large impact on American society. Young television viewers are learning at an early age about race and discrimination and are witnessing the ugly impacts of these issues. The television industry is not only a competitive one, but money is priority number one. The best money making program with the best ratings will most always win out. What goes on behind the making of our favorite sitcoms is a mystery to most. A survey by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) found that of 839 writers currently working on primetime shows, just 55 are black, 11 Latino, 3 Asian-American, and zero Native American, meaning minorities make up just 7 percent of primetime network writers . Not only are minorities being underrepresented in lead roles of television programs, they are also discriminated throughout the entire business. The small margin of primetime corporation writers must face racial discrimination in addition to segregation. It is especially rare to find a person of color writing for a primarily white program. Jay Dyer, a successful African-American writer was told This isnt a black show; we dont need a black writer . The stereotyping of characters comes from the writers, especially when corporations are not open to employing writers of different races for the characters. Yet another section of everyday television in America shows another side of discrimination of minorities. Commercials of all kinds promote products to the public; however some do it at other races expenses. Perhaps the m...