Defining Whole

The argument goes something like this:  Is media shaping who we are (influencing our understanding of our self-identity) or is it simply reflecting reality and persona (demonstrating our reality as well as our desires).  Every since the advent of TV, we have railed against media as the former, an influence that shapes our identity.  The concept has a familiar ring, as nearly a century ago, WEB Dubois decried the fact that African Americans often see themselves through the lenses of other (The Souls of Black Folk).

However, I think that this concept is too simple, too naive, and far too irresponsible.  When we look at networks such as BET, we see negative image after negative image portrayed.  Music videos are grossly oversexualized and the artistry and prophetic content that launched hip-hop has been covered by commericialism and the culture of greed.  BET has those images because African Americans choose to watch them.  If African Americans were not watching BET, then it would not survive.  In this way, African Americans are responsible for the media's portrayal of young men's material-centered lifestyle (money justifies the job, think 50 cent's "masterpiece" called "Get rich or die tryin") or young woman's use of sexuality as nearly the sole source of value and worth. 

What if both are true? Media influences and is a reflection of who we are.  What if African American people, such as myself, took responsibility for images that are being formed by choosing to support programming that produces realistic and healthy images of ourselves.  This does not mean that healthy images are devoid of sexuality or even the realism of commericialsim, but that those images are defined holistically and defined by a single factor.

As I was watching Tyler Perry's "Why did I get married 2" (saving the review for another time), I was reminded of the need for balance and contrast.  Balance in that we want to be realistic in our portrayals of ourselves while also contrasting what "could or should be".   Regardless of how we feel about his writing or the quality of the acting, I commend Tyler Perry as one of the few writers who has tried to satirically look at the images that African Americans desire and develop.

Let me know what you think about this.  Is the self-identity of African Americans a reflection of media or do we actually have some responsibility?

God bless,

Pastor M Traylor