Demographers predict that between the years 2030 and 2050, people of color (POC) will become the numerical majority of the US population. We are in the midst of radical demographic changes, and I'm sure the 2010 census will go a long way to support this prediction. Social scientists and academics refer to this ongoing phenomenon as the "diversification of America," or more literally, the "changing complexion of society." My simple question is, why is today's major network television not yet hip to the game? Why is television art, not yet reflecting life?
This observation is not new, nor would I pass it off as such, but it's just been smacking me in the face of late as I have witnessed most recent roll-out of new and upcoming network TV shows. Back in the day (as in late '90s/early 2000s), Chris Rock, in one of his many brilliant social critiques summarized and renamed the major network television stations as follows:
-ABC = Anything But Color
-NBC = Nothing But Caucasians
-WB = Where the Brothas At?
In 2010, Rock's observations still ring true...and perhaps even more so. It seems no matter the theme of the show, or what state, city, or town the shows are set in, one factor remains constant, there apparently exists a magical America where POC just don't exist. If they do exist, thanks solely to the benevolence of the writers and network executives, POC simply serve to provide a colorful backdrop (literally and figuratively) for the White main characters to interact with. Frankly, it's just getting on my nerves...
I recently started watching this ABC show called "The Deep End," about five young, brilliant, first-year associates at an elite LA law firm. It's an entertaining show if you can look past how glamorous they make the job look -- I'm sure all my lawyer A-i-T's can attest to that. What irks is me is how four of the five young lawyers are White, plus the obligatory token Black male. Are you honestly telling me ABC could not cast even one Asian, Latina/o, Native American in one or two of the other roles? If we wanted to get technical, looking at educational trends related to sex, it would be more accurate to have three women and two men versus the current balance. One of the White male characters is Australian, fresh from down under, which adds national diversity but does nothing for the complexion of the show.
In cities like New York and LA where approximately 1 in 3 people are foreign born, how is this show or any other show supposed to relate to current life in the US?
And let's be clear, this is not just a Black and White thing. Aside from B.D. Wong on Law & Order SVU, and Lucy Liu's brief stint on the small screen, how many other Asian characters of any significance can you name? George Lopez is no doubt doing his thing, but if Latinos are the largest minority group, why aren't there more representing on shows not found on Telemundo or Univision? Native Americans? The forgotten aboriginal people of this land...can they get a cameo please? And these are just the check boxes we are all forced to fit ourselves in on the census form -- what about all those who don't identify with one of the five major racial categories recognized in the US?
Granted, strides have been made in diversifying the look of television. There are definitely more POC in leading or main character roles across networks but it still feels like token efforts. Commercials are the one place where diversity is truly taking hold, but to me, it's dollars driving advertisers' diversity sense. If you want everyone to by your product, you had better feature EVERYONE in your commercial. I doubt it's more complicated than that.
I am definitely waiting for this generation's Cosby show, and no, I don't mean Tyler Perry's, "Meet the Browns" or "House of Payne." I just want to see on TV the diversity I see everyday when I walk out my door. The United States is the most diverse nation in the world...I think it's about time its TV shows began to FULLY represent that fact...
Fellow Adults-in-Training, I know TV is meant for entertainment...but do you feel like TV art is reflecting your life?
Peace,
A-i-T
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