No, I’m sure real racism occurs daily behind the scenes at major studios. whether direct, indirect, overt or subtle discrimination. I’m sure Sandra Bullock experienced issues with the George Lopez show. I don’t disagree with any of your points. The immediate human costs is huge but the system of things will have to change in order for more America Ferrara to be a norm on primtime television. I honestly thought that there were many strides in television but to my dismay this cycle continues.

My contention is simply D.I.Y. video programming is changing, those who embrace new methods can capitalize on it and create a viable market. Television and print will not die and continue to be major outlet for day-to-day programming but new distribution methods helps foster a better playing field. There are many high and low profile talented actors with access to some financial resources who can take advantage of the early opportunities. Sooner or later multi-function smart phones will (may) be ubiquitous and maybe cheaper opening up more avenues for video programming.

BTW, I appreciate the comment. Considering all the propaganda and innuendos against Obama I think its just satire.

The major networks still represent the biggest share of television in the United States. Moreover, they also provide more employment opportunities both in front and behind the camera. Success on a major network translates into financial security and career opportunities in film and theater.

For actors, actresses, writers, producers, and other workers of color in television, this issue is about survival and career growth! Cable networks to do not provide greater opportunity. Niche-casters like BET and TVOne do not produce much original scripted programming. They rely heavily on syndicated fair or reality programming.

I’m disappointed that you did not think your argument through to understand the immediate human costs to the workers. Moreover, the majority of Americans still watch network TV as their primary source of TV, not cable or satellite. The images seen on TV have a lasting effect on how people perceive others.

Seriously, have you taken a look at Spanish language TV? Most programs feature white actors. The only people of color are usually domestic servants, criminals, or sex objects. Regardless of whether a country like Mexico or Brazil has a large non-white population, whiteness on television is shown as the norm. Whiteness in TV is equated with beauty, intelligence, wealth, success, and all the good things in life.

What does that say to non-whites? They have no place in that country? They are not beautiful?

Hiding behind the excuse of newer delivery mechanisms for entertainment prevents real discussion. In reality, many of those other delivery methods do not provide good, positive images and also lack diversity.

Finally, the fact that it is 2008 and networks have diversity officers is a GOOD THING given the continuing lack of diversity on TV. Unless there is someone there fighting the good fight, nothing will change. To make light of this position shows a lack of understanding of the real world where bigotry pervades much of our society.

Hate crimes have not disappeared. The EEOC has seen the number of discrimination complaints rise. Are you saying that the very real racism seen in society does not occur in the studios as it does in the rest of business world? If GM or IBM requires diversity officers, there is no reason why ABC or Fox should not have one.

I would point you to the cover of the current issue of the “New Yorker” magazine for a glimpse at the latest in hipster racism wherein Michelle and Barack Obama are depicted as America hating radicals.

I enjoy Family Guy- when it’s funny. Cleveland Brown is a little fruity acting for a black man, but he’s a great character. If anything, Family Guy makes fun of blacks, among other ethnic groups, so much that it’s about time for a mostly black prime time cartoon sitcom. It’s like the Simpsons with O.J.

I also agree that you can’t just complain about injustices- you must react to them in a positive way. But by the same token, Tyler Perry has begun catering to white audiences by adding a little diversity of his own.

Let’s just get everybody working and stop debating the color of the worker. That’s my 2 cents. Use it or give it to a homeless person. I could care less.

First time here…nice place anyway I would have to agree that you have to make your own way today. I mean we can’t keep forcing diversity either you get or you don’t. Corporate America gets what a diverse work force does (somehow blacks have gotten replace and others are used to diversify, but that’s not what the comment is about). the thing is we as black people haven’t used our power which is how we spend our money. We spend a LOT of money (not sure if that’s a good thing) and we could levarage that spending if we really concentrated, but the rims are spinnin’ ni**a they spinning!

Or you look at writers like Shonda Rhimes who writes Grey’s Anatomy. She is a black writer and I can tell some times from what her characters say that the POV she writes from is different. She doesn’t have an all black cast, but she has one of the most diverse in TV. The blacks in the hospital are not relegated to token roles and hold many of the positions of power. Then she created a spin-off with that shoe with Taye Diggs Private Practice about a clinic owned by a divorced black couple.

Anyway Rhimes wrote her own story and went to sell it, and the thing is good writing is good writing whether your red, black or purple. I think all the names you mentioned are also great examples of how if you got it you can’t be deneid. Too bad the so called black networks aren’t doing more to help diversify TV well if you count music videos and people dancing then I guess they have *lol*

-OG

now the long version:

i agree with you, especially the Bollywood example. technology is democratizing entertainment… if people really want to, they can make their own products and market them to the mass culture (or subculture) easier now than ever before. in FACT, major industry is increasingly frustrated with the internet and the extent to which the little guy can use it to appear to be on equal footing with the hallowed institutions (ex- the constant crying by big newspapers about the rising popularity of bloggers as news sources).

black people (cause who else is whining about this but US?) need to stop waiting on the mass culture to take care of us and go create our own shit. and when you see someone doing something, stop hating and support it (unless it’s wack, then just ignore it…LOL!), spread the gospel of what you like, ignore what you don’t. no matter who’s making it. that’s how you “vote with your dollar”…

when networks cancel a show, black money (oprah, cosby and jordan ARE still black, right?) SHOULD step in and revive the show elsewhere (if that’s even legally possible). this is easy if you don’t sell BET to Viacom, but that’s a whole ‘nother issue.

And having a diversity representative sounds a bit insulting. And it’s upsetting knowing you have to twist somebody’s arm to get them to include us. But if we used that effort of persuasion on creative output…we may just have an imag eof oursele we’re proud of.