Why “Empire” Should Spark Concerns in the Black Community
Anthony T. Browder is not a psychologist, but he is one of our foremost historians, meaning that he has context and perspective — something most don’t.
I have pondered the best way to comment on this, and I decided to simply let it rip. First of all, you have to ask yourself how does one group take a cohesive “people” with a collective village mentality and ultimately create what we have today in Black America — a people with no value for black life, no unity, no self-worth, poor self-image, etc.?
It begins by stripping them of their sense of identity, and reshaping how they see themselves, all while reinforcing the same image with those outside of their group who might be sympathetic to their plight. With a generation being considered 25 years in contemporary times, we have been exposed to these forces for 16 generations, and dysfunction breeds dysfunction.
Bringing Lucidity to the Message
Allow me to be lucidly clear here. I am not claiming that Empire, or any other show, is causing anyone to adopt the gay life or go out and murder someone. As Anthony Browder says in the video, it is not even my desire to tell you what to watch. It is my responsibility, however, to ensure that you are actually aware of what you are watching. It is not one show, it is the subtle and subliminal imagery that is constantly placed in front of us.
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A Powerful Truth Revealed
Look, in the 1930s, Edward Berneys, through his book, Propaganda, gave it to you in plain English, but you refused to read it. In the 1950s Frantz Fanon shared the phenomenon of propaganda and colonialism with you in Black Face, White Mask and The Wretched of the Earth. In the 60s Malcolm X told you about it, now you completely ignore those videos and written copies of his speeches when you make your argument against the force of propaganda. Dr. Na’im Akbar tried to enlighten you in his book “Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery,” which was derived from a more in-depth publication, “Chains and Images of Psychological Slavery (the term “images” is immensely significant in his dissertation).” This secondary installment answers some enigmatic questions that include: “Are African-Americans still slaves?” “Why can’t Black people get together?” “What are the psychological consequences for Blacks and Whites viewing God as a Caucasian?” And more.
These are only a few of the questions you have to answer when you dismiss propaganda as a viable and potent weapon that is constantly being used, not only against African-Americans, but the public in general; however, the effects that it has on the black collective is much more pernicious than with other groups.
It does not stop there. Dr. Joy DeGruy introduced the collective impact of these powerful influences on the black collective in her book, “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing,” but you dismiss that as well. Then there is Tom Burrell, and his powerful book, “Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority.” As a marketing executive and, marketing firm owner for more than four decades, Mr. Burrell tells you, in no uncertain terms, that all forms of media are being used to perpetuate a negative image of blacks that helps to sustain the status quo, and you either, ignore it or dismiss it. Why? Because you don’t want to be held accountable for your actions. Your entertainment has become more valuable to you than the plight of your people. And, you don’t even realize that this particular mindset is actually the result of mental conditioning through multitudinous propaganda mechanisms and mediums as well.
The Process of Discovering Truths
Look, when you have a problem, and someone suggests that (A) is the cause of the problem, you don’t dismiss (A) without pragmatic and empirical evidence that can disprove (A) as the cause, especially when there is a wealth of data to support it. Additionally, if you dismiss (A) you still have to explain the existence of the problem. Black people did not simply just arrive at the state they are in. We are a product of social engineering, something that we can actually overcome, if people stop pretending it does not exist. Tom Burrell even suggests in his book, “Brainwashed” that we use the same propaganda channels that have been used against us to reshape our image. Dr. Akbar has suggested that we must supply a better image to our people, and then give them permission to write their own narrative.
What is ironic, as I study this dynamic, is that most of the people that are suggesting that TV shows have no influence on behavior, are not big TV watchers, meaning that their exposure to shows like Empire is actually an escape from their real world, which is most likely as a professional of entrepreneur. Why is this important? It is important because those who are at the greatest risk of being negatively impacted by this type of programming are those who are immersed in negative culture, watching shows that portray blacks in a negative light, listening to music that is demeaning and misogynistic, watching the news, looking at negative videos on the internet, etc. For the person who is not consistently exposed to this, the show will not have the same impact; however, I would suggest that for many who claim that it is impossible for their mind to be programmed that you have fallen victim to the other side of the programming spectrum — the side that suggest that it is not your concern what other people do — which is an abandonment of a core principle that has always been an integral part of our African heritage — the village principle that suggests that we are our brother’s keeper. You cannot say that it is none of your business what the next person is doing, and then suggest that you care about the collective, because the collective is the sum total of individual actions.
Allow me to elucidate the point being made in the previous paragraph here. When I say that those arguing against propaganda through TV are not TV watchers, the point that I am attempting to make is this: Due to their own programming that TV is not a huge part of their social construct; they are more focused on work that filling their day with mindless entertainment, and so they don’t experience the same results as those who are buried in the culture, through TV, music, magazines, etc. You will become what you expose yourself to the most, so a person buried in their business will become a business person, and things like Empire is simply entertainment, but they will unwittingly make themselves vulnerable to other subtle suggestions, such as its not their business what the next person is doing, eliminating the responsibility of the village concept. And, it continues down the funnel to run deeper and deeper.
The Violence and Devastation in the Black Community
When I was asked to look into the violence taking place in Wilmington, DE. I immediately recognized the influence of a poor self-image being reinforced by almost every aspect of mainstream media. I understand that when a person does not see value in themselves, it is impossible for them to recognize the value in others who look like them.
You cannot dismiss the influence of the media on our plight without completely ignoring the devastation in our community. Again, if you disagree with what is being suggested, not only by myself, but some of the most brilliant minds in psychology, sociology, marketing, advertising and history, you must be willing and capable of providing the answers to the enigmatic questions presented earlier.
How It is Done
One of the most powerful analogies that presents the effectiveness of propaganda as a tool to further a specific agenda is the gay and lesbian movement. Homosexuality did not go mainstream by showing people a movie with gay people in it. It became mainstream slowly, over the course of 30 to 40 years of subtle suggestions that it was okay, that it was normal, and even fun. It was the commercial with the nice gay person in the background, smiling. It was Will Smith in Six Degrees of Separation. It was the first time that men held hands on national TV. It was 40 years of planting a seed and slowly turning up the heat.
In just forty years, we have gone from Christian evangelicals who were absolutely against and outspoken concerning homosexuality to now having gay pastors in the church with their First Men by their side. This was a well planned strategy that was birthed in 1972 and carried out with great precision through propaganda mediums. And, if you think I am taking a shot at gays, I am not. I am actually impressed at how they moved past us with ease to take a position of power and influence in an environment where we cannot even get justice.
Propaganda Channels are Heavily Invested in for a Reason
Finally, Lee Daniels explicitly told the world what he was going to do with this show. His agenda was clear. My concern is not with homosexuality as much as it is in feminizing the image of the straight black man, and the presentation of a reinforced image that no matter what opportunities you give black men, they will still be dysfunctional. This narrative is played out so often, and you cannot speak against it on one platform and give it a pass to another, because you like the show. Has anyone noticed that the only black man on the show who is caring, with a sense of responsibility and morals is the gay son? Now, place this fact juxtaposed to the fact that there is a significant rise in what is being called gay culture, where young black men, who consider themselves to be straight are behaving in ways that black straight men would have never behaved just 10 years ago.
Okay, let’s say it is not the media that is responsible for this for just a second, but the phenomenon still has to be explained, so I am waiting to hear someone explain it.
There are over 13,000 media outlets in America, and 95 percent of them are owned by a total of six companies. The message is being controlled and it is effective. You live in a world where that is evident every day. As I stated a couple of days ago, as long as you are the anomaly as a successful black person, there is a problem. Until successful black people are no longer the exception, we must engage the forces that are fighting to sustain the status quo.
Now, before you accuse me of painting a portrait of hopelessness, I believe not only that blacks have the power to rise, but that we will rise, but we have to be honest in our assessments of where we are and what we are dealing with. Last time I checked, pretending that a real problem doesn’t exist in order to maintain comfort and convenience is still called denial! ~ Dr. Rick Wallace, Ph.D.