Commercial Portrayed Black People example essay topic

r. BabiihaEnglish 10202 August 2002 Blacks In Television The motion picture Bamboozled, focuses on how the media stereotype black people. In the 20th century African Americans were misused and abused by the media because they were interpreted as poor, stupid, and ignorant. Also, white actors painted their faces black to make front of black people. In the film Spike Lee shows how two poor black men, Man Ray and Womack, make a fool of themselves by acting in black faces. Throughout American history the media always showed negative images about blacks instead of positive ones.

Although, today there is still stereotypes the black race have become successful black performers just like whites. In Bamboozled, the main character, Pierre Delacroix, is portrayed to be a black man who wants to be white. Because he talks proper and haves a whitish accent he is not like the other blacks. In television history black people had to be a certain way in order to make it in the business, which is why Delacroix acts that way. His boss, Dun witty, who is white, thought he was blacker than him because of his black wife and Ebonics dialogue.

Since the manager portrayed himself to be black he thought he had the authority to say the word 'nigger. ' However, the person in charge wanted Delacroix to have a black show, which would criticize his people. Because Delacroix wanted to be famous he came up with a show named 'Mantan-the New Millennium Minstrel. ' This show was based on two black men, Mantan and Sleep 'n Eat, who sing, dance, and prance in a watermelon patch. It stereotype black people being as coons and poor who were slaves of white people. The show haunted black people because of the time when whites were acting in black faces and slavery.

In the film Spike Lee pointed out that blacks also take responsibility for stereotypes portrayed by the media. At one time blacks were only able to act in black faces. There were shows and cartoons when blacks made their faces blacker, which were directed by whites to show racism and stereotypes. In 'Mantan-the New Millennium Minstrel,' all the characters had foolish names as Li'l Nigger Jim, Sambo, Rast us and a band called Alabama Porch Monkeys. In the film the black society was angry because the black actors were embarrassing them and disgracing their race.

Also the show sponsored a malt liquor called Da Bomb, which was a commercial of black rappers who was urging viewers to 'get your freak on. ' This commercial portrayed black people to be drunks, party animals, and freaks. Another point in the film is that blacks allowed whites to fool them. An additional commercial that sponsored the show was Timmy Hilnigger. This advertisement showed how a white clothing line could make black people spend all their money in buying their clothes and making them stay poor in the ghetto. The black people in the commercial were talking Ebonics, acting ignorant, and making Timmy Hilnigger superior over them by saying he's the man.

Another example, is when Delacroix was getting an award for his show, but he didn't accept it because he thought, Matthew Moline, a white guy deserved it more than him. Throughout the film Mantan and Sleep n' Eat made a fool out of themselves by making the white audiences laugh. The show wanted to emphasize comedy, but it criticized black people and it's ancestors. The show itself became racist because the entire audience and crew had black faces. The non-black audience was saying they were niggers and proud to be one. All blacks that liked the show thought it was a joke, but it criticizes their race.

The person who had the opening act was saying arrogant things about African Americans. This made many black people angry because their own people was making front of them. There were rallies and petitions to get the show off the air, but because other races liked the show it continued. A group called the Mau Maus who consisted of black people for black power was against the show and wanted to kill the two main actors.

Although, they were trying to be on the show they were angry of the racism and because they weren't able to have their own act. The end of the film was vulnerable because of the black on black crime. Since the blacks in the film allowed the white people to manipulate them they betrayed each other. Mantan and Sleep n' Eat let their bosses influence them to act like fools because they know they needed the money. However, they forgot about their race enough to make front of their own heritage. So, the Mau Maus killed Man Ray in front of the whole world by having it on television.

This brought the black race down because they let the white man make them kill each other. Still today African Americans are stereotyped and bamboozled in the media. Furthermore, people of color have no more power in the entertainment business these days than they did in the 20th century. In many films blacks are portrayed as drug dealers, killers, alcoholics, poor, and ignorant. However, many white actors have roles of being successful, wealthy, and powerful, but there are blacks that share the same qualities. Now in the 21st century there are blacks actors who have become successful, rich, and famous, but they are still criticized.

Many black actors don't mind playing roles that condemn them since they are making money, but they are being fools because they are allowing the white race to over power them. In the news industry Negroes are known to be the bad guys because they always point out their wrongdoings. Many whites are killers and rapists, but they will focus on blacks because of their position in society. The news stereotype because they make it seem that all blacks live in ghettos, have dangerous clubs, and terrible schools. Because some black people have negative qualities the media portray everyone in that race to be the same. Throughout history black people have been struggling in the media to have them portray as decent people.

By having black magazines, movies, and documentaries this can improve black people position in society. Furthermore, since black people were depict as ignorant and stupid, now in the new millennium they are known as intelligent people. Although, African Americans would never compare to white people, they have become superior and have a high-status in life.