Is TV Bad For Black Kids?

Some might say, "What kind of question is that?" But as a young African American, I feel like I'm the best one to talk about this subject.

Since TV is part of everyone’s culture, honestly, it may make you think a certain way about a certain type of people. This blog is not to say every black person on TV is a bad influence. Because there are plenty of great African American role models on TV.

Like talk show diva, Oprah, who owns her network, OWN. Or even Tyler Perry, sometimes known as the king of black movies. Or NeNe Leakes, entertainment mogul and reality show super star.

But besides these great influences, there are so many more terrible ones. How many black people do you know on TV who are good role models for the black youth or the youth in general? Stop for a minute and think about it.

Not that many, huh? And what's even worse about the shows is that they put African Americans who misbehave and act wild up on a grand stage for everyone to see. And that portrays the whole African American race in a negative way.

It shows African Americans as loud, angry, mean and vulgar. And that sends the youth a certain message. It shows them, "Oh it's OK to act like that because the person on TV acting like that looks like me. So I should be acting like that, too." That shows the young black youth, "Oh, since I'm black, I can do what ever I want to do."

Some might say I’m talking nonsense. But if you really think about it, I'm really right. You have to think that kids are watching these shows. If the person looks like them and is their color, they're going to want to be what they see. 

That's how TV is telling young black people they should behave if they want to be on TV or make money. Just think about it. TV is bad for black children; it really is.