RUNGANO NYAJEKA
Managing Editor
Fed up with
TV talk show exploitation
In her just released book, “The Color of Criine: Racial Hoaxes,
White Fear, Black Protectionism, Police Harassment, and Other
Macroaggressions," Katheryn K. RusseU discusses the idea that talk
shows aim to distort and uridermine much of the progress Black
people have made....Those of us who are fed up with TV talk shows'
exploitation of African American women agree with Russell.
The television talk show industry is a {M-ofit-driven phenomena at
the expense of the images of
African American women. The
success of the highest rated talk
shows, (in order of rating): Jerry
Springer, Ricki Lake and Jenny
Jones are primarily due to their negative depiction of African-
American women. Talk show host Ricki Lake was one of the first
to find professional and financial success for her controversial
topics. Her rhyming titles, such as “Just ‘Cause You Lost Your Fat,
You Ain’t All That” are degrading statements of her panel guests.
Lake's guests are often afflicted by social issues, ridiculed and
victimized. In the early 90's Springer’s ratings were mediocre until
the explosive episode “Why Do You Hate Me” of former guests
confronting leaders of hate groups. A Klansman punched a panelist,
an African-American woman, in the face. The crowd went wild and
so did Springer’s ratings. Television talk show hosts’ overall duty
and legal obligation is to make money for the corporations’ stock
holders; therefore, the free markets versus upholding social and
community values debate will continue to rage over what should be
put on the air. African-American women will continue to be featured
in unflattering ways until we decide to do something about it — like
using the TV remotes to turn off shows that damage racial images.
STUDENT OPINION POLL:
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What is your opinion of the depiction of
African-American women on television
tall shows ?
Photos by Marie Smith, Chief Photographer
•■Hf-Viu.
i I Oi.i.Bii
AMBER BATISTE
CLASS; FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR: MASS COMM
HOME STATE: WASHINGTON
They [ talk shows] make black
women look uneducated. They
make us look like we have low
self-esteem and that we don't
know how to carry ourselves.
MICHELLE SIMPSON
CLASS: SOPHOMORE
MAJOR; PSYCHOLOGY
HOME STATE: TEXAS
A lot of black women on talk
shows have nothing really going
for themselves. A lack of self-
respect drives them to behave
ignorantly and I don't think they
should be the ones to represent
my race or gender.
KATHERINE WHITWORTH
CLASS; FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR; PSYCHOLOGY
HOME STATE; NEW YORK
Women lashing out on the
Jerry Springer show that we
[black women] can be obnox
ious and ignorant. But well-
respected .intelligent Blacks like
Oprah and Maya show how
Black women are, where we
were, and how we will be.
TOKIKO GEORGE
CLASS; FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR: ARTS MANAGE.
HOME STATE; MARYLAND
Black women on the Jerry
Springer Show keep the stereo
type going that Black women
have attitudes. Even though
white women are [also] featured
on the show acting tantamount to
Blacks. Black women will be
looked down on because of the
stereotypes.
TAMARA PHELPS
CLASS; FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR; MASS COMM.
HOME STATE; WASH DC
Black women get on TV and
think it's showtime at the Apollo
and they put on an act and that's
not good.
KUBRAT GBAJABIAMILA
CLASS; SENIOR
MAJOR; BIOLOGY
HOMETOWN; CALIFORNIA
Black people on Jerry Springer's
show are very ignorant as
opposed to the [those on]
Oprah Show who portray the
educated Black.