I find my eyes glued to the television screen as I watch Flavor Flav and New York decide who will have the honor (or not) as their love interest. I find myself laughing a little more when I tune into BET just to see the “little devil” scream, “You are on Hell Date!”
Although these shows thoroughly tickle my funny bone, I can’t help but realize the status of black television.
Most, if not all, of black TV programs today are nothing but modern-day minstrel shows.
Flavor Flav displays his “coon-like” behavior through ignorant antics, wild costumes, and love for fried chicken, greens and cornbread.
Let’s take it a step further. Vh1’s “Charm School” features “Flavor of Love” rejects competing for…umm…what are they competing for again? Well, it doesn’t matter.
Many of these women, whom are black by the way, prance around like whores and prostitutes just to get their 15 minutes of fame and notoriety.
This is the same depiction black women had for centuries…sexual indulgences and mistresses for Slave Master Charlie (Should we relive Sally Hemmings and Thomas Jefferson?).
Sometimes I feel I am trapped in the Spike Lee film “Bamboozled,” which conveyed the demise of black culture through the television.
It’s a shame that blacks have to appease and entertain the masses with visual and blatant ignorance.
However, these are the shows receiving the highest ratings making major networks millions of dollars.
Have you checked out “Boondocks” lately?
Although the show makes fun and downplays black stereotypes and myths, it continues to humor struggles, notions, words and gestures that are sacred to black history in America.
It feels so good to tune into Nick At Nite every now and again and catch a hint of “The Cosby Show” or “A Different World.”
I know what you are thinking, “If you have a problem with the shows then don’t watch them” or “Why do you watch them if they are so demeaning and desensitizing?”
And my answer is…
The same reason we all do.
As an opportunity to watch blacks shook and jive on television and make a complete mockery of themselves without shame, to witness New York shake her butt on national TV just to find the best man and as a chance to get away from reality.
Or maybe it is reality.
This just in! The minstrel show is back.
Check your local listings for show times.
Nyerere Davidson is a senior public relations student from Milwaukee. He can be reached at nyjournal@hotmail.com.<i/.