Media and Its Implications for Afrikan People
May 8, 2003
by Ras Tyehimba
With the accelerated use and development of technology, the role of media in shaping how people think and act, has become a very powerful one. Who controls the bulk of mainstream programming as it relates to TV, Internet and radio and what are the implications of the information/disinformation that is propagated? The engine of globalization is humming and the tentacles of Hollywood are traversing the globe injecting the minds of people with its neo colonial venom. What is the impact of this on our children, what is the implication of this for following generation? What is the role of InI is this era where homosexuality is becoming as prevalent as toxic fast food. From America/Hollywood that brought us the fast food fad laced with carcinogenic toxins comes another western promoted fad: homosexuality. What is the effect of the promotion of this, especially on our young children who turn on the TV and are bombarded by images of two men in bed. Homosexual behavior is currently being shown on TV and promoted as being normal. And its about to get much worse as MTV is planning to open a new station targeted at gay audiences.
The continuous images of white people and the bombardment of these images on the psyche of non-white people is very damaging especially to children who are at a very tender stage of development. These images by their very nature perpetuate an inferiority syndrome that is very pervasive in some Afrikan people. This inferiority syndrome is one of the main reasons for the Afro phobic mentality often displayed by the recipients of this brainwashing. They see the white world as portrayed by the silver screen as the epitome of civilization and thus they want to be white. To be white is good to be black is to be bad. In this craze to whitewash themselves they ruthlessly pursue the American dream, only to discover that the American dream doesn't include them.
Among young people entertainment through movies and music videos are very popular,
with Bet and Mtv being the prime stations. Analysis of the content of these is enough to make one retch with disgust as these stations are deeding the public with a steady diet of promiscuous sex, drugs, homosexuality, and carnal gratification. It is the peak of unconstructive and destructive entertainment/pop culture. The rap artists do quite a lot of damage, spewing images of fast cars, bling bling; jewelry, brand name clothing, half nude women, and alcohol. This image that these things are the aim of life, and are the requirements for a good life is one of the most damaging images perpetuated on black people second only to the image of the white Jesus. These black rappers are just pawns, controlled by the American system to spread the word of American supremacy global. It is highly symbolic and significant that these rappers proudly call themselves black persons;
Only a ignorant person would address themselves in such a self demeaning manner.
News media is very critical especially as it relates to how people view themselves and by extension their environment.(the World). The situations in Venezuela, Palestine/,Israel, Zimbabwe and Iraq has left no doubt (in the minds relatively conscious people), that the mainstream media are interested in upholding the principles of truth, justice and freedom.
There is a very urgent need for alternative sources of media especially news media, owned and controlled outside of the dictates of any neo-colonial imperial entities. If I have an argument with someone and I'm explaining it to you, whose side will I represent? Mine of course! Naturally! Until the Lion has a historian of its own the tale of the hunt will continuously glorify the hunter. How on earth can we leave our education in the hands of those who are profiting from the exploitation and suppression of so called 'third world people' of which the majority are non white people. The true story of the past, present and future will continue to be ignored in the mainstream media (education, radio, TV, newspapers etc) until more people become conscious of the need for alternative media. The growing prevalence of the internet across the globe is helping to offset the monopoly of mass media which entities like BBC and CNN have on the minds of the masses. There will be dire consequences if the role of western media in perpetuating the arrogant/ Eurocentric/ patriachial/ white supremacist attitudes that are currently imbedded in Western civilization are left to continue unchallenged.
It is imperative for the more conscious people of this time to propagate conscious ideas and alternative ways of doing things that starkly contrast how things are done in the mainstream, totally mindless of humanity. In every sphere of activity it is necessary to offer alternative means void of the biases of western civilization. In education, religion, science, business, media and entertainment it is necessary for the divine self, inherent in everyone to be held aloft and accorded its rightful place.
It is necessary to rewrite our history, using the often-ignored evidence to expose the myths of this generation. No longer must the trust of shaping our future be places in the hands of those that benefit from our continued ignorance.
In this age of (mis)information, the principles that have guided ancient indigenous people for thousands and thousands of years must be permeated into the modern consciousness. The use of modern technology must be guided by these eternal truths, emphasizing that technology was created to aid humanity not destroy it.
Globalization is threatening the survival of people across the diverse landscape of this so called global village and as the stranglehold on third world countries increases, what choice is there but to continue the battle against all forms of imperialism and cultural degradation. Institutions like the IMF and the World Bank continue to be agents of modern day colonialism, with third world countries reeling under massive external debt. No mention of the wealth stolen from them for hundreds of years and used to fund the industrialization and development of the current developed countries.
In spite of the poverty, the cancer of greed, the wanton materialism, the bloodshed and the ignorance that exists today, the world is still a very beautiful piece of creation, for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. In spite of the often overwhelming burden of everyday life, there is a deeper meaning to our existence that the masses are not conscious of. Every situation happens for us to learn something and so we must delve deep deep into our consciousness in order to bring about a wider change. The individual is where the impetus for change must resonate from, for there to be any significant global change. There will be no conscious progress if vital history continues to be ignored in the mainstream. It is impossible for us to move on until we've come to terms with ourselves as it relates to the past. I see spirituality as becoming conscious of how past events have shaped the present, and how our every action will affect the future. It is the process of extracting divine energy from ourselves/ from the power of our choices. It is impossible for Afrikan people to reach the heights of this existence if we let others define who we are, what we should do, what we should eat, what we can be...Nearly every sphere of activity was/is manipulated to control us, and in the spirit of the revolution we must break the shackles in every sphere of activity especially in terms of media, education and religion.
The drums of Pan Africanism must reverberate throughout this global village, waking up the many that are fast asleep, inspiring those who have inspired us and partaking in the Doctrine of the Supreme Good* as we have done for thousands and thousands of years.
*This doctrine propagated by the ancients in Alkebulan (Afrika) stating that the highest aim of this existence was to become God-like/One with God.
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