Watching Race: Television and Struggle for Blackness

by Herman Gray

Book Overview

Examines the cultural politics of television and race.In the late 1980s and early 1990s television representations of African Americans exploded on the small screen. Why has this occurred, and what relation do these shows have to society's idea of "blackness"? How do these shows relate to earlier television series featuring African Americans? Herman Gray's Watching Race -- now available in paperback for the first time -- offers a new look at the changing...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816645108
• ISBN13: 9780816645107
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
• Length: 201 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.3" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Blackness in America Pop Culture Truthfully Explored

A professor assigned this book in my sociology class. Gray offers truthful and sobering ideas about blackness as defined by American media. He spoons out aspects of our favorite tv programs we may not want to swallow...but we need a taste of this medicine. We need to be aware. Have you ever really thought about the impact of In Living Color and Family Matters on your self-perception? You might pull your kids from in front of the tv set after reading this book. Though the author overlaps himself with words as he tries to explain in true sociologist form (it's very annoying sometimes), the underlying message is clear--we need more more critical discourse about images of blackness in our society. I'm taking off points for wordiness.