Notes From A Detroit High School

Students Write About Television Today

Henry Ford High School Students

(Editor's note: The Caucus Quarterly asked Roberta J. Herter of Henry Ford High School in Detroit, Michigan, to ask 11th and 12th grade students to write about television today. Ms. Herter, who says she has had to reconcile her own fascination with print with her students' attraction to video, sent us 35 essays. Much of what the students wrote follows. Ms. Herter concedes that TV, not text, is the media that most affects her students. "Visual literacy," she writes us, "will be as important to this generation of students, who increasingly gather their information and knowledge of the world from TV, as print has been to their grandparents. While some urban households have no phone and no cars," she adds, "I've yet to have a student report no TV." The students' reports which follow are edited for length.)

Television has messed up my life. I watch too much television, and it is messing up my grades. When I'm watching it, they're always depicting blacks as dancers or rappers, never as scholars or smart people. The TV shows I watch are Batman (the animated cartoon) because I enjoyed the movie. Another TV show I like is Martin because it is funny, and I can relate to it. Some benefits from watching TV are information from the news and from commercials. I know I watch too much TV because when I get home from baseball practice, I'm tired and the TV relaxes me. There is absolutely too much violence on TV and when the young kids see it, they think it is cool to shoot somebody or beat them up. I know this because I thought about this for a little while.
-- Stephen Hatch

The reason why I like TV is because it's like a mother, somebody who cheers you up when you get bored. It also keeps you busy. It gives all of the relaxing you need when watching your choice of programs. If I didn't have a TV, it would be like my brother or sister has been kidnapped and will never return. Without the box, my world would be empty and dull.
-- Timothy Cross

TV in general is slightly boring. The only time I watch TV is when I don't have anywhere to go. I watch TV when I want to fall asleep.

There is too much violence and sex on TV. I think the networks have to put such shows on to get an audience, but they should only be on late at night so children can't see them.
-- Keisha Emanuel

The one thing I don't like about TV is all the racism. For example, there are always more white kids than there are blacks. Why can't there be even numbers? If there were no TV, it would be hard to live. I watch TV from the time I get up to the time I go to bed, with the exception of school. The shows I watch are mostly the comedies that come on during the week. I watch them because they make me laugh, and they're good. As far as I'm concerned, there are no disadvantages to watching TV.
-- Michael Henderson

I dislike shows that portray African Americans as thieves, killers, and gangsters.

On TV, sex and violence are used more often than anything more positive. I admit it is exciting to show sex and violence, but does it have to be so explicit? Producers completely ignore the fact that small children watch TV all the time, and when they see real people killing each other, they get the wrong idea. As I mentioned before, African Americans on TV are portrayed as robbers, killers, and gangsters. This is not the real image of African Americans who are not all negative as TV would have us think.
-- Angia James

Today, African Americans have many more shows where black characters are the base. Almost all of these shows, if not all of them, are comedies.

In all these shows the characters are placed in a situation and find a funny way out. There is nothing wrong with being funny and having fun, but life is not always fun. Sometimes you are forced to be serious. I am not saying that these shows should change. What I am saying is there should be some black based shows that are not comedies. All the comedy type shows give a false view of life as an African American.

They are fun to watch and very enjoyable but are not the way life is.
--Rshette Smith

Television is the biggest influence and the most accessible form of entertainment in the world. I don't like the fact that TV is addictive. Since we watch television from almost birth, we are prone to watch it as we grow. I do feel that there is too much sex and violence on TV, but there is not much that critics can say because freedom of speech does exist. The portrayal of African Americans in the television industry is two-sided. On one hand the stereotypes are meant to be humorous most of the time. But in places like Iowa, where there are few blacks, these stereotypes can be harmful. If these portrayals are the only impressions that black people give, then people of other races can only have negative images of us.
-- Joddie Williams

African Americans are portrayed in many ways on TV. In some instances, we are seen in positive ways and in others, not so positive. Many roles for black celebrities are stereotypical views of African Americans. It really bothers me to turn my television on and to see a young black male play the role of a robber, a rapper, or an uneducated and immature troublemaker. I also hate that every time I see a young lady on TV, she never looks like me--she would never have coarse hair or a dark complexion. I would like to see someone that looks like me and acts intelligently.
-- Yolanda Strickland

Television in general is becoming less and less educational. There's an abundance of sex and violence on television. Personally, I don't feel that kind of education is appropriate for today's youth. Children of today are already confronted with too many problems. There's peer pressure to have sex and do drugs. I don't feel that teens need to come home and be confronted with that. African Americans are definitely given the short end of the stick on television. Their roles are limited. They are only allowed to play as comedians and servants.
-- Pamela Thomas

I like TV a lot. I like Martin, A Different World, Oprah, and many, many more. There are not too many shows that I dislike because I'll just turn the channel and find something else. Sex/violence is not a good idea for children. African Americans are portrayed as ignorant and uneducated. TV has values for families, friends, religions, drug and sexual abuse, but there aren't enough educational messages on TV to help children.
-- Shantale Flood

Sex and violence are OK for mature audiences but young kids should not be allowed to watch certain shows.

African Americans are mostly seen as thieves or homeless people. They are also mostly in comedy shows, not heroes.
-- Richard Perry

TV needs more educational shows. African Americans are often portrayed as ignorant and uneducated. They play around, are always joking, and are rarely serious characters. In a way this contradicts my thoughts about Martin, a strong comedy series.

I watch cartoons like Batman for action and Merry Melodies for a good laugh. I feel that too many cartoons put violence in the head of younger viewers, for they don't know that it's just entertainment.
-- Kim Gladney

I feel that there is too much sex on TV. It seems that every movie has to have a sex scene in it. I feel that if a TV show or movie is too violent, then you should change the station because you don't have to look at it. You can turn the TV off. . I watch cartoons like Eek the Cat and X-Men. Eek likes to help people and the X-Men, even though they are different from everyone else, they still try to do the right thing. They even help the people who scorn them.
-- Kristen Breed

I enjoy watching TV, although I don't get to see TV very often because of work or sleep.

When African Americans are portrayed on TV, it's mainly comedy. The family life is there also, but the black TV shows are associated with comedy in some way.

I enjoy watching sitcoms, not cartoons. Cartoons aren't usually educating our younger viewers. Most cartoons promote death and violence. They even get sexual at times. The messages that they send to our younger viewers are putting the wrong ideas into their heads about life and death.
-- DeEffie Lockley

In general I think of TV as a good thing. TV makes you think about a lot of different things. If it wasn't for TV, a lot of information wouldn't be available to us. TV lets you see the reaction that people have when they are told about things.

The shows that I like range from comedy to real life shows. The variety in the shows helps to give a person a wide range of how peoples' lives are affected by the news. The comedy shows help people to bring out the funnier side of themselves while the drama and action help to bring out the more serious side of a person.

In different areas African Americans are portrayed positively and negatively. In some shows they are seen as drug dealers and hoodlums instead of everyday people trying to make it in today's world. I hardly see any positive values promoted by TV.

I do watch cartoons and they send more violent messages to younger audiences. There are more killings and guns in cartoons than in other types of shows.
-- Curtis Thomas

What I do like about TV is that it has a lot of great cartoons for little ones. They have great educational programs like Sesame Street and 3-2-1 Contact.
-- Vershawn Harlen

In general TV is OK. I think TV is becoming too predictable though.

I feel there is too much sex and violence on TV but there is in everyday life too. So if you take it off TV, kids are still going to see it. Every now and then I watch cartoons. But today cartoons are getting out of control. When we were younger, cartoons were fun. There were really fun. But now they kill people, curse, and even have sex in cartoons! The younger audience idolizes cartoon characters, so whatever they see the characters do, they will want to do the same things.
-- Philip Doucet

TV plays a big part in my life. I love cartoons, but I don't like the bad things, or promotion of things like guns. Bugs Bunny leaves me laughing in tears. Since sex and violence are everywhere, not just on TV, and that's what the audience seems to want, give it to them. I am a couch potato and an early bird, so I enjoy the early morning cartoons.

I only wish they didn't promote the use of guns. To me that is the only problem.
-- Batesta M. Hale

I think TV is a wonderful thing if used right. Most African Americans are portrayed as joking around all the time on comedy shows. They are never seen in many serious roles, and their values are questionable. The message sent to younger viewers come in the form of cartoons. They show sex and violence as fun and wholesome--no one ever really gets hurt or feels pain in a cartoon.
-- Qontrel Tool

Cartoons, which I frequently watch, create false beliefs in children. Like when they portray excessive violence, and where these characters are run over, eaten, smashed beyond recognition, and pushed off cliffs, they soon come back to life.
-- Leslie C. Davis

There are some very good African Americans who are actors and news anchors on TV, but they are portrayed on TV in many comedy shows and sitcoms too. Thus, African Americans are shown seriously most often only in political segments on TV. Values are at a low on the television set due to the sex and violence on TV. The benevolent values are shown on some comedies. Finally, I see cartoons on the channels in the afternoon, and though they are supposed to display friendly, funny and moral messages, they usually are relatively violent which makes the showing dangerous because children may attempt some of these things.
-- Cris Chapman

I think TV has gone to the dogs in many ways. On TV now I think producers are promoting sex and violence even in language. They may be trying to change with the times, but we don't have enough wholesome programs on TV.

Sex and violence are a part of life, but the way that TV shows them, makes them good or bad, is confusing. They don't need to be on every channel that I turn on. I sometimes watch cartoons when I'm getting ready in the morning, but they aren't what they used to be--Woody Woodpecker and Tweety Bird. Cartoons in the 90's are vicious and are actively promoting violence. They encourage kids to do bad. I think cartoons should be made to help kids feel happy and free, not like killing and shooting.
-- Jonitta Cowans

I feel that TV is both positive and negative, but mostly negative. It's used to make people see and believe in something that doesn't really exist--the simple life. TV takes everyday problems which usually call for hard solutions, and makes them somewhat simple.

One show I really like is Martin because it is almost realistic and funny. Even though I like the sex and violence on TV, I feel that it should be limited and shown less often.

African Americans are portrayed as comediennes or anti-social and violent people which is untrue. I don't think TV really runs by values, it plays whatever is going to get the money, and it goes as far as viewers let it. At age 17, I still watch cartoons. They're still funny and make me feel like a kid again. Cartoons tell its younger audience that it's time to have fun and play while you can because before you know it, you will no longer be watching cartoons--you'll be grown.
-- Darrin Richard

I believe that TV has too much of an impact on the youth of today. Children spend too much time watching TV. Sex and violence are a part of life and are seen as such on TV. I don't believe that it is over emphasized.

African Americans are just now starting to receive favorable portrayal on television. TV is promoting a variety of things from traditional family values, to some very untraditional values as seen on Married with Children. I personally don't watch cartoons, but I believe that they promote good things and are needed for little children.
-- Taj Davis

I believe that television is one of the best inventions ever created. It is very entertaining. There are a lot of quality shows on the air which give people a broad variety to choose from. Although television has gained a lot of freedom with sex, violence and profanity, many people have complained about television today. I feel pleased with television, and I believe that there is a lot of reality as well as stereotypes on TV and why I think it's important for people to learn the difference. Some have argued that television doesn't provide good examples for children, but I don't think TV is the right place to look for values, role models, or life examples. All TV shows are make believe just as the characters who play in them.
-- Ebony Johnson

My time is spent watching TV. I usually catch about half a day but when anything comical comes on, I go to another channel or I watch rap videos and see what is the most popular video out for the week. Then I turn to action movies about midnight, just to see if anything new is out. There's usually a lot of death and sex in those which is not hard to understand. Some of the movies have too much sex in them. There's always the news and weather. I like to find out what the weather is going to be for tomorrow so I'll know what to wear.
-- Chadwick Jordan

Television is for all people. Personally, I really don't watch too much TV because I'm never home. When I am at home, I watch A Different World and Martin. A Different World is very educational and Martin is very funny. I only spend approximately one hour a week on TV because each show is a half hour.

The violence in TV is bad because after people see things, they go out and imitate what they see. Sex in TV is just a little too much. Once again, I don't watch that much television, but what I watch is worth seeing.
-- Celesta Wilbourn

I think TV has both its good and bad attributes, but something we can all say is that it greatly influences today's society. This is due to its ability to appeal to a very large audience, young, old, black, and white. There is something on TV for everyone. I like half hour sitcoms; although they are very immoral, they are also very funny. Sex and violence on TV only add to an already blazing fire. It doesn't combat the problems in our society but adds to them. African Americans are portrayed as everything but themselves on TV. They are seen the way producers want them to be seen. Examples range from the filthy poor, such as the characters in Good Times, to the unrealistic upper middle class, such as the Cosby Show. No values whatsoever are promoted by TV. Yes, I watch cartoons and they also have their good and bad.

-- Brandon Cooksey

I have mixed feelings about television. I really can live without it because I rarely watch it. When I do, it's A Different World or Martin.
-- Sherita Dickens

In general I think TV is alright except that there are too many people with perfect fantasy lives.

I think that violence is a vital part of TV, and it would be boring without it. If there was no more sex shown on TV, I wouldn't die over it. In reality the only shows I see black people in are comedies and shows about segregation. I very rarely see values promoted by TV, and when they are, they're shown unrealistically on fake shows like 90210. When there is nothing else on TV, I watch cartoons. They send out the message that violence can't hurt. Kids run around thinking they're all like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
-- Randall Akins

I don't care for public television. Cable is best. It offers the movies you can pay for at home. I don't feel that TV is violent or too sexually graphic. I love the sex and violence--it adds intensity to shows. My younger sister and brother can watch other things. But these things occur in everyday life. The things viewed on television can be seen when walking home from school.
-- Tameka Bankhead

I really don't think they need to have that much sex and violence on TV, but it does promote watching the shows. Sometimes I'm in the mood for some violent shows although I don't think they have any effect on the way I act. I mean just because on Thursday someone gets shot on General Hospital and dies doesn't mean that I want to go out and shoot somebody. I really don't watch that much television because I'm either at work, school, or I go to the movies. In closing I would say that TV is a good pastime, but it's not my life.
-- Oliver Mouzon

I like TV a lot because it tells you about life. I enjoy watching the news too because it's facts. What I don't like about TV is they show too many commercials right in the middle of the good parts. But overall, TV is good.
-- Dwayne Robinson

TV in the 90's has become more and more a source of entertainment rather than communication. We should get back to basics. The TV is great for fun and a few laughs, but we also need to be constantly informed of the world and the society in which we live. We need to be informed.
-- Demetria Hughes

The shows I particularly like have to be either funny or serious. It depends on the mood I'm in. Some days I like to be entertained by comedy, while other days I'm in for a true story type of movie.

Sex on TV doesn't bother me, but for children, it shouldn't be played. Most shows that have sex scenes aren't all that "deep," but they don't need to be included. That's what cable is for--people should have to pay for that. Violence seems even worse because it is more serious. Watch children watch sometimes--they tend to mimic everything they see.

African Americans are usually seen as street types--not all, but many. There is always slang in their language, and they tend to dress for sports. TV promotes both positive and negative qualities like violence and profane language. I'd like to see more family type values that show love, caring and understanding for one another.
-- Charise Crawford

(Editor Note: The thirty-five students who submitted essays made their particular likes and dislikes known in their writings. Although their commentaries do not constitute a survey, The Caucus Quarterly feels honor bound to report that these students love Martin and they very much like A Different World, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and In Living Color. They dislike 90210, Saved By The Bell, and The Jackie Thomas Show. And, as is evident from the copy printed above, they watch a lot of cartoons.

The Caucus Quarterly selected The Henry Ford High School randomly and reached Ms. Herter and her students by calling the school and asking for help. We are grateful for their participation.)