Whiteness?

In Robert Means Coleman’s article, Black Sitcom Portrayals, he touches on issues and controversies regarding the way African Americans are portrayed in the media and more commonly in TV sitcoms. Throughout this article, Coleman interviews, or takes clips from different actor/actresses in these sitcoms to get their views of the way the black culture is portrayed through television first hand. Doing this, makes the reader feel a closer connection to what Coleman is saying, such as the portrayal of black females being portrayed as partner less and the common stereotypes of black people. It was interesting to read about the TV sitcoms and how they are portrayed. Shows like, The Jefferesons shows a black family, which is wealthy, an uncommon portrayal of the black sitcoms usually seen on TV. J.C.B says, “Yeah, I think its important to see because too may of our Blacks that achieve, the community for the most part tends to shun them and call them names, (such as) tryin’ to be White and all this stuff like that. And I think it’s positive to have more people that are showing advancement in life“ (80). It is sad to me that wealth within black communities can be seen as “whiteness” or trying to be white. It is in a way funny to me, that when black families are successful and wealthy they are seen as trying to be “white” while this should be seen as an inspiration. Shows like, The Jefferesons shows a Black family, which has many achievements which is uncommonly portrayed on TV sitcoms. Similarly, this idea of “whiteness” can relate to today TV show, 90210, which Julia talks about. In this show there is one black boy, who grows up in an all white, affluent community. Dixon could be seen from the Black community of trying to be white. This also relates to Via’s article. It is shocking to me to see the image of Gabourey Sidibe’s in Elle magazine. They alter her skin color on the cover to look “whiter”. It seems to me that media is trying to portray black people, but in a way trying to target “white” and “wealthy” audiences.