HOUSTON -The National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA) hosted a workshop at its 43rd annual convention at the Omni Houston Hotel, discussing the impact media images have on the African –American community.
The panelists included three successful writers, Melinda Spaulding, a former New Orleans crime scene reporter and current anchor for Fox, Yolanda Young, a Washington, D.C attorney, and Josh Spearman, an author from Austin.
After a brief introduction, the panelists immediately drilled down on the influences media have on the community.
"Growing up in a one parent home, I can remember watching The Cosby Show and thinking how there is more than being an athlete or rapper, their family was the ideal family. The husband was a doctor and the wife was a lawyer in a big home," Spearman said.
Over a decade ago, shows like The Cosby Show and Fresh Prince of Bel Air erased the stereotypical images that have been traditionally shown on network television of blacks. Now over a decade later, blacks are fighting the demeaning images depicted in the media.
"We as black people are limiting our influences," said Spaulding. She stressed that blacks need to be more vocal on the way they’re portrayed in media.
Spearman added that parents should engage in discussions with their children about positive black role models.
"Children now see role models like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, but more interested in their expensive shoes and skills on the court than the personality," Spearman said.
The panel also elaborated on how Hip Hop has impacted the black community.
"Hip Hop has positives and negatives, I remember when Lauryn Hill and the Fugees were out a decade ago, and they started the saying, ‘One World’," Young said.
The panelists agreed that media moguls such as Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry are doing their part to shape how blacks are portrayed in media; however more is needed.
The NBLSA is doing its part in showcasing positive black role models. This week they held a number of service projects designed to empower the community.
Organizers said this was one of the most successful conventions held since the organization started in 1968. NBLSA is the largest law student run organization in the U.S with over 6,000 members.
