Discussing depiction of blacks

By: Scott Stewart

Posted: 10/14/08

The UNO Black Studies Department plans to bring an Emmy award-nominated actor to campus to highlight a documentary and panel discussion on the media's depiction of black Americans.

Meshach Taylor will visit campus this week to participate in the viewing and discussing of the documentary "Ethnic Notions." Taylor said he plans to discuss his experience of being a black actor in Hollywood.

"It is still very difficult to get a leg up in Hollywood if you're a person of color," Taylor said.

The documentary "Ethnic Notions," directed by Marlon Riggs, examines the historical development in America of deep-rooted stereotypes that fueled anti-black prejudices and white racism.

Caricatures in the documentary include loyal Toms, carefree Sambos, faithful Mammies, grinning Coons, savage Brutes and wide-eye Pickaninnies, according to California Newsreel, which distributes the film.

"Through these images we can begin to understand the evolution of racial consciousness in America," Omowale Akintunde, chair of the Black Studies Department, said in a press release.

Following the film, an episode of the '80s sitcom "Designing Women" focusing on institutionalized racism will be screened. Taylor, who is best known for his role as Anthony Bouvier on the sitcom, stars in the episode.

Taylor will then lead a panel discussing the impact of white racist media on the perception of blacks in American society, according to the press release.

"The images that we see now are very, very driven by money and sexuality," Taylor said. "The image that we have or that we export to them is one of high sexuality and being overwhelmingly consumed with the concept of making money at any costs."

The reason such an image is portrayed, Taylor said, is an inability for black Americans to put their own image out there. Both financing and distribution pose challenges.

"We are part of the majority society," Taylor said. "We're not that large of a minority."

Akintunde said whiteness theory is important because white cultural norms are enforced without many people realizing it is happening.

"We must move beyond seeing racism as an individualist phenomenon and progress to understand that racism is a systemic and institutionalized manifestation that privileges the dominant racial group," Akintunde said.

The documentary screening and panel discussion will take place Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Eppley Administration Building Auditorium. The event is part of a new documentary and discussion series hosted by the Black Studies Department titled "What it Means to be 'White:' Implications for Media Depictions of Blacks in America."