Way back in 1990, Public Enemy teamed up for 'Burn Hollywood, Burn' with Ice Cube and Big Daddy Kane. They addressed a real problem that's always existed in Hollywood., the negative portrayal of blacks. Images have an impact on the human mind, and constantly seeing black people portrayed in the negative light, negatively impacts black people. This is science, and is well known, but the practice has continued on. With recent 'sexual allegations' starting to come out, which have long been rumored, perhaps Hollywood will finally get what's due.
The entire industry needs to be burned down, and reshaped. The ones who currently are 'entertaining' us are also shaping and molding our minds - all of our minds. The fact that films often do not portray real life relationships, or diverse groups, harms our daily interactions with one another. We're not striving to live with one another, because we rarely see 'images' of it on television. Again, these ideas are well know especially by the people making these films and television shows. Everything is deliberate.
In the classic, "Burn Hollywood, Burn", Public Enemy took on 'one issue' of many.
Ice Cube, being from L.A. gave it that extra bit of insight. Not only do the movies negatively portray blacks, police often harass blacks in Hollywood as well. For those of us who live out here, we know it's always been a city you have to drive through extra carefully. I know people who've been pulled over personally - and have seen them in action plenty of times myself. From the studios to the street, this spirit of disrespect for black people has always been far too strong, in Hollywood.
A year ago or so, we saw all sorts of controversy over Hollywood not nominating any black actors. The 'tag' was Oscars So White, which seemed to reflect who the academy felt worthy to acknowledge & reward. In 2017, they made sure to nominate more than they did in 2016, but of course the problem is historical.
However, why would a industry that has forever exploited and looked down on blacks, lift up black performers? They won't even write quality roles for black actors, whenever possible. Budgets for black films tend to be severely restricted. So much of the excitement over Marvel's forthcoming Black Panther film, is we are going to finally see what a movie can look like with an all black cast, when it gets a REAL Budget behind it. We see seasoned black actors who we already know are going to deliver powerful performances, just from the previews alone. This type of stuff never happens ...
Hollywood usually sticks to a few blueprints concerning black films -
Typically if they do allow a black person to be the 'hero', he's solo and has a few white people helping him out. They don't allow too many black actors to be Will Smith, while Will Smith can still be that 'role'. Today, that role seems to be in the hands of Idris Elba. Outside of that, black films are relegated to comedies. Black men are usually still being portrayed as weak, while black women are shown as being 'far stronger'. All of these images on film translate to real life, as people tend to mimic what they see on television.
Naturally, some households watch more television than others. So the 'effects' will vary but this is all science; it is known. They are fully aware of the 'role' they are playing in causing dysfunctions throughout society. They often choose not to use television as a vessel to teach, or help humanity improve. They simply use it as a tool to exploit people into habits, and lifestyles that benefit their bottom lines.
Feel free to research the role "Big Tobacco" played in early movies and films;
Read: Old Hollywood & Big Tobacco - They had a deal to push this lifestyle of smoking cigarettes onto people. Hollywood has been doing so much wrong, for so long. Public Enemy was prophetic in their 1990 Classic - perhaps Hollywood really should, burn ...
Burn, Hollywood Burn