Approximately seven decades ago in 1939 one of the first African American actress, Ethel Waters, appeared on American television in a dramatic sequence from her hit play, “Mamba’s Daughter.” The ground breaking televised program went on to become known as “The Ethel Waters Show” which aired on the network of NBC. In later years, women like Diane Carroll and Oprah Winfrey would go on to revolutionize the African-American woman’s image and role on television and in media.
As the African-American role in society increased in prominence, so did the role of African-Americans in the entertainment industry. African American actresses like Phylicia Rashad, Halle Berry, and Angela Basset flooded the movie screens. However, somewhere in the mist of television development, gave life to a new form of programming that would shake the foundation of television forever, Reality T.V.
Americans quickly latched on to these “unscripted series.” Networks such as MTV and VH1 were among the first names in television to give rise to such shows. Programs like “The Real World and “Jersey Shore” caught fire and attracted millions of viewers. Consequently, they were unprepared for what would become the African-American woman’s latest move in entertainment.
Dating shows -like “Flavor of Love”- televised Black women parading in bikinis and “pulling hair weaves.” Unfortunately for the image of Blacks, that was only the beginning. “Love and Hip Hop”, “Basketball Wives”, and “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” have taken the Black woman’s role in television to new heights; and some might even say new lows.
By LaMarco McClendon
Politics & Pop Culture Blogger
ReelUrbanNews.com
