RESISTING MEDIA IMAGES:

1. RESISTING MEDIA IMAGES: AN EXAMINATION OF BLACK CULTURES Jessica Henderson Daniel, PhD, ABPP Minneapolis, MN October 2007

2. Black Cultures • Vernacular • Classical

3. Vernacular Culture • Newspaper • Television • Radio • Cinema

4. Intent and Vernacular Culture • Those who control the images • Those whose images are controlled

5. Internalized Oppression and Vernacular Culture • Frequency makes images “real” • Greed can mean the perpetuation of such images • Resulting internalized oppression may mean a dis-identification with one’s own people

6. Resistance and Recognition • Classical Black culture accounts for survival of Black people • Classical Black culture needs to be taught and internalized • Classical Black culture affirms and recognizes positive images of Blacks

7. Resistance as Resilience I • Make Connections • Avoid Seeing Crises as Insurmountable Problems • Accept that Change is a Part of Living • Move toward Your Goals • Take Decisive Actions

8. Resistance as Resilience II • Look for Opportunities for Self-discovery • Nurture a Positive View of Yourself • Keep Things in Perspective • Maintain a Hopeful Outlook • Take Care of Yourself

9. It’s in the Story • Focus on Family • Valuing Literacy • The Community as a Source of Strength • Spirituality as a Cornerstone

10. Spirituality as a Cornerstone Vernacular Culture The Black minister is a buffoon The Black church is just about the hereafter Classical Culture The Bible was often the first “reader” for Blacks The Black Church has been the starting place for many with verbal, oratorical and singing skills The Black church has been a social service organization in the community The Black church has been a source of liberation theology

11. Valuing Literacy Vernacular Culture Black Children Are Unable to Learn How to Read and Speak “Standard” English Classical Culture After Emancipation, Blacks donated land, raised money and built with their own hands, elementary schools in the south

12. Focus on the Family Vernacular Culture TV Images of the Black Family Good Times the First Intact Black TV Family Classical Culture Following Emancipation Black Men Sought to Re-Unite with Their Families

13. Community as a Source of Strength Vernacular Culture Black communities are killing fields Nothing good can come out of the community Classical Culture Black organizations have contributed to the development of Black youth We value working together

14. Classical Images Pillars in the community Church Deacon MD/ Lawyer/Architect School Workers-Maintenance/Bus Driver Utility Worker College Professor Organizer About: Values, Consistency, Loyalty

15. Classical Images Man Husband Father Grandfather Uncle Godfather

16. Classical Images Pillars in the Community Organizer Teacher Everybody’s Mother MD/Lawyer/Architect/Engineer Administrative Assistant About Values

17. Classical Images Women Mothers Aunts Grandmothers Godmothers

18. Work To Do • Yes , We DO • Lead with Strength

19. Read the Stories • My Bondage and My Freedom- Frederick Douglass • Pushed Back to Strength- Gloria Wade Gayles • Trespassing-Gwendolyn M. Parker • Red River- Lalita Tademy • Anointed to Fly- Gloria Wade Gayles

20. And the Women Gathered Poem from Anointed to Fly And the Women and Men Gathered