#AFS363

[prinbal]

Introduction

Black media has evolved over time, in regards to these four categories: Representation, Authenticity, Ownership, and Responsibility. Some of these categories have gained more prevalence than others, specifically representation. However, all four are essential within Black culture. Black representation within the media can go both ways. Blacks can be depicted negatively through shows, news outlets, social media, etc. But, there are also good representations shown. Ultimately, when having these different representations, since there is no one representation of what it means to be Black, different people take what they want from these depictions, and make up their own perceptions of the term blackness. As for the other categories, I feel that we can do better in them. Sometimes we are responsible for the way we depict ourselves when it comes to Black media. Having more Black ownership would be nice as well, but as long as we are being depicted authentically and represented well, then that is what matters. Below, I have written my thoughts on topics like these, and what next steps we should take regarding this issue.

[jsellem]

Conclusion

Being apart of AFS 363: Blacks in Mass Media, has granted me more exposure and knowledge in regards to the ways in which media is used and misused as a tool of representation. This course has helped explore the ways in which mass media shapes and burdens our society. Despite media platforms being used as a space where oppressive ideologies are welcomed, marginalized community can use it to their advantage, if used correctly. Through presentations and open discussions facilitated by my peers, I was able to listen to various perspectives about the Black representation in mass media. Through information on this blog, I hope to make my audience more aware and sensitized to images they see in the media, and how they analyze their message.

[dwightrd4]

Introduction

The current state of black media hasn’t looked positive for blacks as a whole in a long time. Most of the time we are still being clowned on social media, abused, or being seen as ghetto and toxic. When deep down the majority of blacks just want to be seen and treated as equals. Thats all we’ve ever wanted as a community. But constantly you only see whites on the news doing things to help the world for the better as if the black community doesn’t do anything. Only their goals and accomplishments are posted and praised. While the black community remains underground and behind the scenes. Everything we do gets questioned and looked at twice like we’re always trying to commit a crime or doing something shady. We are in the time period where this needs to be stopped. Blacks need to come together and not just fight for equality in the real world anymore but fight for equality on the mass media also. Through this i wrote 3 thought papers that spoke about how the media contributed to inequalities, gender divisions, certain representations of blackness and created obstacles for blacks in their journey of life. 

[rebeccaalexisblog]

Conclusion

Through out this semester in AFS 363, I have learned more about how Black people are treated in the media. When starting this course, I was not sure what to expect because it was my semester at a new school and was unsure what to expect from the teachers. I was thoroughly surprised when I was taught in great detail on how Black people were tossed and turned from how their narratives were twisted in films like Birth of a Nation to television shows like The Looney Tunes. Modern news has caught my interest and when completing my readings and research. I noticed that there has been a switch from everything being white to white people using Black culture to be considered “hip” from the beginning of media and creation of black owned media being ripped off to voguing being appropriated by white women, and to Black women’s feature being glorified on white women to This shift has taken away from the black community immensely in ways that cannot be paid with reparations. It has mentally changed the minds for generations to come. This course has overall helped me discover how to become a more analytic writer that I want to be. I would recommend this course to people who would want to learn more about Blacks in mass media with a deeper look into racism that has been shown right in front of eyes. 

[javrocks]

Conclusion

The duration of this class was about 16 weeks, but I will keep the class content with me for years after college. The schools I’ve attended have always reminded us about a black person’s position in America. From slavery, jim crow, lynchings, police brutality, and imprisonment, Black America is constantly reminded of the system that is put against them. With my prior knowledge of racism, this class highlights another medium that is used to oppress minorities, the media. The media is a special instrument when it comes to communication. It goes beyond the simple words we use in our day-to-day and culminates themes and messages in a covert manner. The use of visuals in films, news stories, TV, and articles has given the power to an invisible hand to add on to these stereotypes against Black people. Not only to build on negative stereotypes, but it creates new ones along the ride. This class has taught me how important it is to control your own and it’s a lesson I’ll cherish for years to come.

[anyaburke]

My name is Anya and Welcome to my blog! ✨

I am having a blast creating my Tumblr 💃🏽 Sometimes we have to be told the truth, but maybe in Small Doses. Tumblr gives me the opportunity to tell my truths and even more. I have even more to say now because of my class #AFS363 ✊🏽

[augustuscontressa8-blog]

Wrapping things up

Before this class, I had limited interest as it pertains to political and cultural topics; I was more invested in my own well-being and that of my family, and friends. I always carried myself in a respectful manner and treated everyone equally no matter their race. My upbringing taught me the morally appropriate ways to treat others, regardless of differences. . Unfortunately, this is not how the rest of our society is. I note our “society” because we exist as as a unit and reflect off of one another; sometimes positively and/or negatively., The problem is learning to understand that everyone comes from different backgrounds and cultures. 

Some people have a hard time accepting that others are different and this is where many problems begin to stir up.  Throughout the class, I have learned to analyze situations and look deeper into racial matters and imbalances that exist. It is important to look at all aspects of a situation and then try to put yourself into someone else's shoes. I am lucky to be apart of the Stony Brook football team because there are many men on the team that come from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. This class has afforded me with the opportunity to have further conversations about these topics with my teammates. It all starts with people being willing to learn and then actually use their new skills and apply them to their daily lives. I believe learning and applying are the key tools  to take from this class.

[shawnmoore99]

Conclusion

In the class, we have seen how African American are portrayed in the mass media. African Americans have been at a disadvantage in different aspects in society.  They portray African Americans as dangerous, harmful people who have a negative impact on society. This has caused many African Americans to become targets because of the image that is shown in the media. They have an image that portrays African Americans as criminals and threats.  Many innocent lives have been taken because African Americans come across as a threat or could be a potential threat. African Americans are also sometime portraying themselves negatively for entertainment. In movies such as “Don't Be a Menace” black people make a complete fool of themselves as a joke. We may see it as comedy but certain people of the world see it as reality. This class has taught me to look deeper into society. It taught me to think before you post. It also taught me to look at the deeper meaning. In class we had a strong debate about team darkskin vs  lightskin. We looked at it as a joke on social media but it is way deeper stemming back to slaver. The media manipulates us to think lighter is better. We subconsciously believe that. This class challenged me to think deeper!

[suero-afs363]

Introduction

Media has been influential to many people in this generation because of technology. Social Media, Internet and Globalization is a source to connect information to multiple people in a matter of seconds. It is important to ask questions like ‘who is sharing information? Is the information reliable? And with what intention is this information being shared? America has a history of sharing yellow journalism, it is based on sharing crude exaggerated information that is framed to influence the reader to side with the writer. Take the example of the United States former impeached president Donald J. Trump. He took advantage of his white privilege and used white supremacy to discredit other races and use slogans like “Make America Great Again” when the American land righteously never belonged to the white man.

Throughout my blog I have posted thought papers that are reflections based-on books, articles and films read in my African American Media class. I touch on the influence white supremacy has in  African American culture. The social and economical history of America plays a large role on the distribution of information for example, the people that have money have power and are able to distribute mass productions of the product. We see this in the history of African American film and News Letters, that because they were not generating enough money to keep companies open they would close down. This is a country based on capitalism where social mobility is a possibility but difficult for the people that didn't have a head start because of oppression. 

[chantzcherry10]

Woke yet??

[fangyuan19-blog]

Kara Walker and Her Colossal Sugar Sculpture

Kara Walker. A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby, an Homage to the unpaid and overworked Artisans who have refined our Sweet tastes from the cane fields to the Kitchens of the New World on the Occasion of the demolition of the Domino Sugar Refining Plant. 2014. Sugar, polystyrene, plastic, molasses. 75 × 35 feet. Domino Sugar Factory, NYC. Photographed by Jason Wyche.

This sculpture is based on the Egyptian sphinx sculpture which depicts a black woman. The colossus is made from 80 tons of granular sugar and surrounded by “sugar boys” represented in a posture of servitude. The sculpture reveals a bitter theme of American history, including race, gender, sexuality, commerce, and subjugation. 

The photo is taken by Hrag Vartanian Hyperallergic.

[kiarathomas429]

Introduction

Black people are not the thugs you see on street corners.  Black people are not the women you see throwing drinks and heels at each other in a 5 star restaurant.  Black people are studying for exams.  Black people are laughing at cat videos.  Black people buy BMWs.  Black people cry when they have their heartbroken.  Black people have dreams bigger than the universe.  Black people wear suits. Black people are you. 

Black people are seen as aliens to the world.  It’s like, “How do they function?” or “Do they like the same things as me?” The answer is YES. YES WE DO. We wear the same Calvin Klein perfume and wear the same Cartier ring.  But, you wouldn’t believe it, if you turned on the TV. You’d see that we kill each other, kill white people, and we have no jobs.  No explanation on what caused this goes with these headlines.  Black people have disadvantages because of events that date back to slavery and the colonizing of black counties, which make us not like you, but we like the same things you like and feel the same ways you feel.

[unapologeticallyblackk]

Introduction: i DoN’t SeE cOlOr

For the longest time, black people have been forced to apologize for their existence. We are forced to mind how we walk, talk, eat and even breathe when under the white gaze. Over the past few years we’ve seen countless articles and blogs titled: “Waiting While Black”, “Driving While Black” and “Babysitting While Black”. I personally was involved in a situation on the Stony Brook campus that was nicknamed “Studying While Black”. No matter where we are or what we are doing, there is always someone ready to try and criminalize black bodies. It’s like they can’t allow anyone to just live while black.

Headlines like the ones mentioned are the reason why many Black people try to “tone down” their Blackness in certain settings. I often find myself extra cautious of my language, choice of dress and mannerisms when entering spaces where I expect to be the only Black woman. Black people have spent a very long time walking over eggshells to ensure the white people around them don’t feel uncomfortable. But what about us? Who’s making sure we’re comfortable? Knowing the answers to these questions, many young black people in my generation have taken a stand and decided enough is enough. It’s time to stop apologizing for our God-given skin color. It’s time to stop apologizing for our Blackness.

My good friend and I had this conversation during the semester. My friend (we’ll call him Lenny) was working one day at his on-campus job. Now to give you some background, Lenny has that rich dark-chocolate skin tone. While engaging in a conversation with one of his former co-workers, Lenny said something along the line of “Tell your roommate that the dark Lenny says hi.” Almost immediately, a gasp was let out from one of his superiors at the job; a middle-aged white woman whom we’ll call Monica. Monica dramatically asked Lenny, “Why would you refer to yourself as dark? That’s such a wrong way to talk about yourself!” Confused, Lenny explained that once any of his friends hear ‘the dark Lenny’ they’ll know the person being referred to is him. But his superior wasn’t having it; she continued. “You see if I were to describe you, I would say Lenny with the glasses or Lenny with the big smile. I would never characterize by your skin because I don’t see color.” Unwilling to continue defending his choice of words, Lenny didn’t challenge Monica’s statement. As he was leaving at the end of his shift, Monica brought the topic up again and shook her head; “I just really can’t believe you called yourself dark.”

Upon hearing what had happened, I began to brainstorm with Lenny why this woman would be so offended by him calling himself dark. Her response had mirrored the way one would say “Why would you call yourself dumb?” or “Why would you call yourself ugly?” Yet, she claimed it would have been fine had Lenny referred to himself as someone with a big smile or with glasses. It became clear to us that Monica saw the word dark as negative. To her, Lenny saying he was dark was him insulting himself. “Why would you call yourself dark?” she had said. As if it was a bad thing.

AFS 363 has opened my mind to be able to hear of situations like Lenny’s and understand what they are. Two recurring themes in my thought papers this semester are what being black means to me, and what it means to others. This Tumblr page shows how different people have described their experiences living in a world that demands they apologize for being black. I sincerely hope you enjoy.

[greisyperezposts-blog]

Introduction

The difficulty of being a black person in modern-day society stems from the unethical conditions and false ideologies of black people rooted from hundreds of years ago. My portfolio emphasis the major difference in the black experience in-world experiences. The first paper is discussing the misrepresentation of Black people in the media, the second is exploring the source of these prejudices views on Black people and how hese methodologies get passed down generations. Lastly, thought paper #3 is focused on a more nontraditional lifestyle such as cross-dressing and the drag community. Again, the Black experience will always be the misconceiving experience, inconvenient experience and underrepresented experience. This is not right and as a society, we are the responsibility for educating ourselves and taking action.

[rebeccaalexisblog]

Introduction

Negrophilia is defined as the love for black culture. Black culture is synonymous with popular culture because Black people are the most copied in the world. Black people are the most creative group of people. When taking a deeper look into what is popular in today’s media, one is able to see that things created by Black people are the most fancied about. Especially in music and art, in music mediocre white people have been given credit for what Black people have created while Black people are ridiculed for it. For example, Elvis Presley gained his fame because he sang like a Black person and he used this to his advantage and became one the most popular musicians of his time. He stole the way he sang and his style of music from Black people. White people also began collecting Black artwork and listening to Jazz music as a way to show their obsession with Black culture. White people are known for stealing from Black people for centuries but now in more modern times they steal in different ways. Ballroom culture was created by Latinx and Black gays and Transgender people but it was appropriated by the pop singer, Madonna, and it made white women feel as if they could vogue which was created by gay Black men. It is an example of how mediocre white women are able to appropriate Black gay culture and receive praise while Black gays are incessantly scorned and discriminated against. Negrophilia is subsection of racism and how twisted the system is. Racism has many layers to it that are manipulated to be perceived as positive when all they do is benefit white people and continue to further negative portrayals of Black people in America.

These revised thought papers are a representation of my growth as an analyst of Blacks in mass media. In my first thought paper it focuses on the current climate of how blacks are represented in media. It also talks about the history of media and how Black media came to fruition. In my second thought paper, I speak on how Black women in mass media with a focus on the essay Oppositional Gaze by author and activist, bell hooks. My third thought paper is about the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning, which concentrates on Black and Latinx gay and trans in Ballroom culture and its importance to that community. I hope that while one reads this blog, that they can take a deeper look into what many people call culture appreciation/ appropriation and how it may seem as funny or unharming towards Black people but does more damage than create equality and understanding.

[javrocks]

Introduction

We do not need more reminders of how bad Black people have lived in America. It is important we take that information and strategize methods of making a better world for ourselves. No one will do it for us and there are clearly forces in this world that want to see us in the same struggle. They are the same forces that brought our people into slave ships, beaten and tortured us, and have kept us in confinement mentally and physically. These forces have been fueled by racism. Fortunately, we have seen improvements within our society. But, just because racist acts are now against the law does not mean the racist mindset is gone. Instead, it hides in the shadows, finding secretive ways of implementing their message to the public. After taking AFS 363, I have become more aware of how racism uses the mass media as a tool to push their beliefs.