African American Representation In Media

Representation of African Americans in the media is scarce, Many mainstream magazines rarely feature African Americans, partially due to the fact that were created in times of prevailing racism and discrimination in the United States. Black magazines have changed this lack of African American representation. It focuses solely on publishing articles and commentary geared towards the African American market as well as images that promote representation of the community. There are about 200 different black magazine published today on various levels of popularity.  There are mostly popular in the United States and Canada, with black hair magazines being popular in Korea and hip-hop magazines in Russia and Japan. 

The first black magazine was the Negro Digest published in the 1940's by John Johnson, which was later renamed to Jet Magazine and created alongside Ebony Magazine. These magazines and the hundreds that came after it encouraged advertisers to support Black media and serves as an embodiment of black culture and entertainment in times when representation of African Americans is neglected by mainstream magazines and the media. 

Even though there are black magazines that aim to represent and cater to African Americans the general media lacks representation and what the little that is there is misrepresented.. The media often portrays people of color and women in negative and demeaning stereotypes. They are seen as violent criminals, the help, sexualized individuals, submissive character, etc. in the early 18th century media showcased African Americans as unintelligent, animalist, and ignorant characters. To say the least there is a serious lack of inclusion and representation of African Americans in empowering/flattering roles in the media. and frankly there is a need for it. In my magazine I plan on providing this representation to the African American demographic to give them their deserved respect and acknowledgement. 

Below are examples of media formats that provides African American representation.

        Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte seen on the cover of Jet Magazine 

           Michelle Obama presented on the front cover of Ebony Magazine

 

Poster of the movie "Black Panther",  which is made up of a predominantly African American cast and tells the story of a black utopian world. 

Source: 

http://www.blacknews.com/directory/black_african_american_magazines.shtml

 https://medium.com/@Laurenwash/the-importance-of-representation-in-film-and-media-2d006149cac9

Images: 

https://www.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/44923171_293048924647397_3061312782030227497_n-486x600.jpg

http://fashionbombdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dorothy-dandridge-harry-belafonte-jet-magazine.jpg

https://cdn.flickeringmyth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Black-Panther-The-Official-Movie-Special-.jpg