The Color of Numbers

As a child I remember watching commercials, sitcoms, and enjoying other forms of entertainment wondering, "Why don't I see someone who looks like me?" Is our color too striking? Do we speak too loudly? Does our color offend those who are watching? It wasn’t until I matured and learned that the media became less about the color of skin and more about the color of numbers.

Minorities have been placed in an industry that is dominated by Caucasian males who depict what they think they know about minorities. In one discussion among three Caucasian males, the men spoke about diversity and the lack there of. It seems like diversity, today, and means having that token minority just that a company or industry can claim to be eclectic. True diversity is represented when the ideas, beliefs, and interests of another culture is taken into consideration. It is also reflected in an endeavors a company or industry in order to ensure that they are respecting the minority. I will admit I have seen some progression in the area of adding minorities to the media, but it feels like it is for all the wrong reasons.

The media doesn’t want the Asian for story of perseverance after facing strong opposition following her travel to American in the 1850’s. The media does not respect the rich history of the African American woman when Queen preceded her name and she gave birth to a strong and colorful people from her fertile womb. The media will not acknowledge the Hispanic for her major contributions in the areas of the arts, especially telling her story through pastel colors and abstract images. The fact of the matter is the issue is not longer color of skin, but rather the color of numbers. To answer your question, yes the color of numbers is green. The numbers of people who watch the station increase the ratings. As ratings increase, so does the funding for a network.

Diversity in the media has become an economical desire instead of an ethical matter. My question to you, my readers, is the media truly diverse or is diversity significant only when the color of number take a role? Check out the discussion http://www.rtdna.org/pages/education/live-chat--2010-women-minorities-survey.php Until next time!

Surreally,

Monica