During the recent trial of George Zimmerman, there was a constant battle between social and corporate media (cable news, privately funded blogs, etc.) over the content of Trayvon Martin's character. Throughout the debate, corporate media added fuel to an already blazing fire of discrimination and racism. My experience of watching the conflicting shifts of opinion, was that corporate media painted a negative picture of a young black man as a criminal, as someone likely responsible to be the aggressor in an altercation.

I watched as reporters made statements mocking Martin's lifestyle and his friend for her manner of speech. I watched speechless as white americans posted pictures on Facebook of themselves “Trayvoning,” posing as Martin lying on the ground playing dead with an iced tea and skittles lying next to them. This character rape of Martin throughout the media not only is insensitive to Martin and his family but it characterizes the majority of African American youth as criminals. Arguments arose, old feuds were sparked, further separating individuals and the healing of a dark time in America's history between black and white people.

I grew up in a neighborhood where crime, drugs, and violence were, and still are, prevalent. There are so many factors in understanding why, but part of it is a dire need for people to gain basic necessities to survive. The lack of education does not allow those in the "struggle" to advance in areas where higher education is needed. Without the confidence of having an education, many look to popular culture and media for alternate avenues to success. The message that youth often get from their “role models” in media is that in order for them to be successful they need to be competitive, aggressive, and dominating. This type of mentally has put people against each other instead of working on a common goal. In the case of Trayvon Martin, he is one of many underprivileged African Americans that has been portrayed as violent, a stereotype that the media both proliferates and profits from glorifying.

In the search for truth and understanding I cannot sit silently and allow corporate media to dictate and stereotype millions of young African Americans, causing them to be socially abused. This is why I am in search of the truth. Are corporate media, stereotypes, and racism dictating our perception of African Americans, or is it something else? I invite whoever may read this blog to share their opinions, articles, resources, etc., for all to discuss.

Also, two questions that have been driving my thoughts about black culture are:  

What are the mental blocks that keep black culture trapped?

What creates a culture of visionaries?

Please invite friends, family, colleagues, any and everyone you know to this blog who has an opinion on this matter. With these questions there is no wrong answer and everyone has something to share.