When life iimitates art…

We say the man doesn’t respect us. We say the man thinks we aren’t intelligent, we’re violent, we’re promiscuous, and we’re lazy. We’re just a bunch of law-breaking, silly, babbling, lazy goof-offs while “civilized” citizens live responsible lives.
All of this may very well be true. A lot of white folks just may see us like this. My question is, if we all know these stereotypes aren’t true, why do we try so hard to make them a reality?
We are very intelligent, but we don’t take advantage of the education opportunities put before us. We’re spiritual, peaceful people, but every image–every platinum album sold–portrays a violent, dismal street life glorified for the world to see.
The average girl in the video wears less and less as the years roll by, even in female artists’ videos. The sexuality is just straight getting out-the-box, but we think this is…um…what’s the word…”cute.”
And why is it that every black TV show that survives a season is a sitcom? Are we not worth watching unless we’re just “actin a donkey”? (I particularly HATE those Burger King commercials I feel are specially geared towards our age group. You know, those colorful, hip-hop, urban, I’m-a-R&B-gangsta-thug-with-a-college-ed ones with the loud young brother all amped up because he’s flying first class…)
Some argue that it’s all about what the people want. It’s all about making money. But must we continue to bow our heads, apologize for being black, and let the world see images of Black America that are shallow, soulless reflections of our real likeness?
We have to be proud of our culture, and deserve every aspect of our community to be portrayed. But instead of opposing this injustice, we encourage. We feed these stereotypes, constantly trying to emulate the lifestyles we see on TV.
Our children want to be thugs, “hot girls,” “playaz,” “pimps,” and “hustlaz.” To speak articulately and without slang is still looked at as “talking white.” And respect from the streets is held at a higher regard than respect from parents, adults and other positive figures. Something’s not right with this picture.
I’m not knocking anyone in the entertainment biz, but when life begins to imitate art–when we start to feed these stereotypes on and off the screen–we have a problem.