Why are the most respected magazines not representative of the diversity of black people? Why don’t networks like Black Entertainment Television (BET) represent it’s intended audience accordingly? Who gives the go to completely eliminate an entire sector of culture? Well first and foremost, you must understand who owns and operates the media. Below you’ll see a chart of the six major networks that own all platforms of media (excluding social media and non-digital media).

The six networks are owned by rich middle aged white men. As you can see BET falls under Viacom, making it white owned despite it’s name. Although the chart only shows TV/movie ownership, everything from big music labels to writing publications are majority white owned. This is mind boggling considering that black culture is the most generated and exploited in the media. Hip-Hop for example is the most popular genre of music in the world, even more influential than rock-n-roll currently. So you mean to tell me we don’t own our own culture? Same with beauty editors and stylists. Why is Vogue magazine considered more prestige than Essence magazine? Is it truly the historical aspect or that they have better and more experienced beauty editors? Or is it because we can influence the culture but only from a certain angle? We see these images of beauty standards that are not specifically for us, and since they’re associated with a respected source we romanticize something that isn’t personally realistic. And when we do see ourselves, we are often extremely watered down and surfaced versions of our true potential (that we accept). Big “are you happy now??” energy.

Now here comes perception vs reality: Even though we know the media does not work in our favor, still we have fallen victim to the mind controlling tactics implemented through what we see on our phones, computers and televisions. The media managed to convince Some of us (blacks) that our natural hair isn’t good enough, our cultural lineage isn’t significant, our abilities are limited and black men don’t like black women and vice versa; in fact, this is an actual debate. According to the images in the media these celebrities that make up approximately 1% of the black population in America either have a preference for women/men who aren’t black and a prejudice against ones who are. But according to actual statistics (below), black people marry each other the most. This chart was configured in 2014, however 2017 statistics state that 94% of black men marry black women making it a 6% move up the charts. Remember, we do not control the media nor the subliminal messages given to us. Don’t fall victim to confusing what you see on TV to what you see around you on a daily basis.

Here’s my take: If you wan’t something, create it, and if you wan’t to become something, manifest it. We often get agitated when we’re left out or not shown appropriately on these major platforms. We also allow it to consume our minds and control the way we see the world and ourselves. Take a moment and ask yourself who you are, what you want to be and what you have to offer and how you plan to execute it then move accordingly. If you feel like the media is tampering with your mental and emotional health, remove yourself and build your strength. It is easy to become addicted to an image or idea that more than likely isn’t what it seems. Once you separate what it seems from what it is, your reality will be enough.