Back in December of 2005 I mentioned a number, 27, that is huge. The fact that 27 percent of the United States population is either Black African American or Hispanic is very important. This percentage affects various government programs, and presents the continuing diversity that has helped forge this nation. It is also the benchmark used to compare the current make-up of diversity on television, movies and other media/entertainment, which sadly is nowhere near what is seen.
Recently I came across another number that is startling to me. The number of Black-owned and operated network channels. Out of roughly 500 available today the total sum of channels is 1. That is .2% of all channels available. If you aren’t appalled you should be. If you believe that BET should be counted you may have missed the fact that the Black Entertainment Television was acquired Nov. 3, 2000 by Viacom Inc. The only channel left is TV ONE, lead by the CEO Mr. Johnathan Rodgers. Mr. Rodgers is very qualified, but there seems to be a land-slide of pressure against the existence of the channel. When I say there is pressure against a Black-owned network, the fact that only one exists and the only other that had existed was bought brings me to this conclusion. To my knowledge there are significantly more Hispanic- and Asian-owned stations.
I have to wonder that, if more minorities owned networks and channels, would the thankfully short-lived existence of the UPN have ever been? Would I have ever been subjected to Homeboys in Space? I mean if there was a channel that actually understood the needs and expectations of Black African Americans, would some of the commercials and programs I have mentioned previously ever reached the air? There is a saying that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink, but what if the water is tainted and is in the middle of a desert? I feel like that is the situation currently, no matter how the government and the entertainment industry say HDTV and the expanded channel line-up will improve the viewing options.
It comes to mind, in thinking about this, that there is an inequity in all entertainment beyond just television. Ownership by Black African American and Hispanics in sports, music and virtually every form of entertainment is horrendous. I have to ask why this is the situation. There are many affluent individuals of color in this nation. Why is it that there is no real ownership of the properties that American culture seems to steer minorities towards. Think about it, how many opportunities for the youth of today involve anything that is NOT entertainment related. Of those, if any, that you can name how many are promoted beyond word of mouth? In the Bronx, where I grew up, I can’t count how many wanna-be rappers exist. Or the next Mr. Michael Jordan, and Mr. Terrell Owens. What I can count are how many believe they can be the next Mr. Colin Powell, Ms. Condelleza Rice, or Mr. Thurgood Marshall.
I cannot blame the black culture or community completely for this. Lack of role models, or even images of successful ‘minority’ figures in any endeavor beyond entertainment is scarce and virtually non-existent on 499 channels out of 500. I call that far from encouraging for the youth who will become the decision makers of tomorrow.
This is what I think, what do you think.
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