Images

 When reading Split Image, the history of black images in mass media was made clearer to me. The media has always been by white people, so their portrayals are arbitrary. This arbitrary assigning of roles continues in today’s media. Movie roles are largely limited to a specific race, defined by the desired effect. With the exception of a few top actors, such as Denzel Washington and Will Smith, black men are most often cast in comedic roles. The present day consumer is also at fault for the constant buffoonery.  Moviemakers of all races cast black men as unemployed womanizers when a taste for whatever alcohol may be in the brown paper bag. We may be think it is an undeserved stereotype, but many of us also find Mike Epps to be hilarious. I believe that we must be able to laugh at ourselves and acknowledge that it is an exaggeration for our enjoyment.

Dates, Janette L. and William Barlow. “Split Image.” Revelations. Ed. Teresa M. Redd,  Carolyn E. Shuttlesworth. Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2010. 191-214. Print.