YouTV: Entertainment For the People, By the People

Several years ago, I quit television.


To give a bit of a background, I was an avid TV fan.  I went through the Dawson's Creek phase, watched reruns of classic American TV shows, and lived for ABC's TGIF block.  Before I was exposed to the world of Asian American Studies, I didn't have any care or demand for minority representation in the media.  I only knew that this show entertained me and it just so happened that no character looked like me.

Once I learned how to look at TV shows critically, I became revolted at the lack of minority characters and, when they were shown, the way they were presented.  Instead, I indulged in Asian entertainment in order to see faces like my own (except I am not nearly as clear-skinned and slim).  I relished in the food they ate, the language they spoke, and the traditional customs they practiced.  It was the other extreme of "white TV."

Man Up -- Oh yeah, that's a realistic cast.

Commercials for new TV shows rarely boast of a diverse cast.  The fictional world of the program is typically led by white characters, followed by the one or two secondary, minority characters.  The problem isn't due to a lack of talented actors of color.  Television show ideas are pitched to companies all the time and the green light is given to what company executives think will bring in the most money.

Ultimately, media corporations do not believe that the average audience member could relate to, for example, an Asian American led show.  Without a large audience, sponsorship would quickly decrease, which would end in financial loss.  Thus, actors and actresses of color are forced to fill in the roles of sidekick, extra, victim, comic relief, and/or stereotypical characters. 

In 2005, the world was introduced to a tool that would shake things up and change the game.  YouTube allowed users to upload and share their own content and, suddenly, anybody with a camera could be a star (whether it was intentional or not).  Creative juices flowed out of control and people were filming themselves singing, dancing, doing everyday activities, talking, acting, etc.  The videos ranged from odd and uncomfortable (but funny...sometimes) to downright raw, unmistakable talent.  Without me mentioning any names, I'm sure you can think of several of your favorite YouTube pseudo-celebs. 

Now, let's get to the point of what I wanted to share.  Today, I stumbled on "The Mis-Adventures of  Awkward Black Girl," a web series centering around J, an...awkward black girl and the awkward things that happen in her awkward life (nothing we can't relate to).  The ABG project is headed by Issa Rae (J) and Tracy Oliver (Nina, producer), along with a very talented cast and crew.  (Okay, sometimes the acting leaves a little to be desired, but it doesn't distract too much and have already shown improvement over the past 7 episodes.)  The team behind ABG believe in this show and there is definitely an audience (they raised over $44 thousand dollars through donations to extend the first season by 5 more episodes...whoa!).

(Foul language warning)

 

Mahatma Gandhi said, "We need to be the change we wish to see in the world."  Sometimes, signing petitions, filing complaints, and boycotting a product is not enough to make big companies acknowledge us.  Sometimes, we have to go out there and make our own product.