"Black In America" on CNN?

Question

Has anyone else watched this show? Dont you think it should be called "Poor in America"? I mean there are some valid points made in the show but they pertain to being poor more than being black. I know plenty of poor white people with the same exact problems. They also live in the"inner city" they also dont get enough food stamps to last the month and they also get evicted. Why make it a "black thing?" It is 2008 and I just wish that the media would call it what it is a "poor thing" anyone agree?

Answer 1

No, I didn't watch it. It's just another rather grab by CNN claiming to address the "big issues" in america. all it succeeds in doing is perpetuating stereotypes & getting people angry.

I agree. It isn't just a "black thing".

Answer 2

I always try to avoid those documentaries. Blacks are 22% of the population of the country. So, when I see them, i know it's a false report trying to pander "white guilt" and get an Emmy for it. When I think of poor people, rich people, gangs, religious people or WHATEVER. I NEVER look at race! Because I know  Whites are the majority and the past should NOT be an issue for the present.

ANything for ratings.

Answer 3

I haven't watched the show or even heard of it but they are probably trying to put a spotlight on why so many inner-city poor families are African American.  The percentage is pretty high and it has to do more with lack of opportunites and discrimination.  White people for the most part are not discriminated against when it comes to employment and overall have more opportunities in life, which is very unfair.

Answer 4

Hmmm. valid argument you have but i think more so the point that they were making is that why are blacks disproportionately more affected with HIV, poverty, unemployment, etc than whites or other groups? And why have these things become cyclical..meaning why does it continue to happen through generation through generation. Oh yeah, there are definitely poor white folks out there and poor people who aren't black, but i think the Black in America series wanted to bring light issues that are often exaggerated/more present,pronounced in a certain community.

ANd also to the person that claimed that it's white people who have been negatively affected by affirmative action, etc - please check your facts. WHITE WOMEN benefit greatly from affirmative action, more so than what is told by media who is color struck and out for the stereotypical big news break

Answer 5

I agree. But it if they were going to say lower class americans, they should've included latinos, caucasians, and other ethncities.

      But, although they are "exaggerating" this, they are doing like another poster said, making sure it doesn't happen in other generations.

       What I don't get is why it airs at like 9 & 11 when most working people are sleep.....I saw some of the show and they do make good points, but a lot of them relate to everyone. And this is what we need to work on, as a whole. USA.

Answer 6

This is more for "Know It All"

White people are discriminated against in jobs and education by a system called Affirmative Action.  Blacks benefit from that system.  If anyone can claim to have lost out due to the color of their skin in this day and age it's white people.

And for people who claim that the failure of many blacks to rise from poverty has to be due to racism, read professor John Ogbu's analysis of the achievement gap in Shaker Heights, OH schools.  It shows that while blacks percieve that they work as hard or harder than whites they actually don't because their parents don't push them to excell and allow them to blame discrimination for their failures.  This explains the achievement gap in school and the workplace.

Answer 7

I Agree 100%