Percentie 1 Joneka Percentie Instructor: Malcolm Campbell English 1103 September 12, 2013

Topic Proposal: Should Black Women be on Television?

Introduction/Overview The answer to the question posed above should be obvious. Women of all colors, sizes, and orientation should be represented on television. However, a look at the makeup of some of the most popular television shows, proves otherwise. Recent studies by the Womens Media Center, and the Directors Guild of America report that in the 2010-2011 television season, women made up 11 percent of directors, and women of color directed 3 percent of all episodes. Black women make up an even smaller percentage in regards to roles behind the scenes of television production. With such a small percentage of black women given the opportunity to work on the creative process of television shows, the representation of black women on the small screen is directly affected. The number of black women working behind the scenes affects their portrayal in roles on television. The positive representation of black women on television is important. Not only does it provide models for young black girls to emulate, but it also squashes stereotypes held of black women and show them as normal, relatable characters. This topic does not only affect black women. Diverse shows that accurately represent the makeup of Americas society provide realistic paintings of its demographic. In a recent article in Deadline, the WGA West reports that in the 2010-2011 season, just 9% of pilots had at least one minority writer attached and 24% of pilots had at least one woman writer attached. Minority write rs nearly doubled their share of staff writing positions during that same period (1999-2001 to 20102011), from 7.5% to 15.6%, but still remain severely underrepresented compared to the population at large.

Percentie 2 There are several factors to consider when analyzing the lack of black women with behind the scenes jobs and how it affects the representation on television. There may be a difference between sitcoms, reality shows, and dramas. Another factor to consider is the difference between cable and local networks. Focusing on a single factor may prove to make a stronger case in the argument. A recent article on the uprise of YouTube mini series surrounding black characters revealed that large production companies have rejected shows written, directed, and produced by black women because of the skepticism that there wouldnt be an audience for their shows. Further interviews also revealed that production companies asked to compromise major parts of the show in order for it to air. In the case of Issa Rae and her web series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, production companies refused to take on the project unless the protagonist was played by a white woman. This position fails to be true not only with the outrageous success of black mini series, but also with a look at past sitcoms with huge followings. Shows like Living Single, Girlfriends, The Cosby Show, and A Different World, all had huge success with wide audiences. What needs to be researched is what changed between the success of these shows from the late eighties in screenwriting, directing, and production. Individuals like Lena Waithe, Issa Rae, and Tchaiko Omawale are contributing to the conversations on black women having a space in television. These conversations happen on Twitter, media blogs, and podcasts. One of my favorite podcasts, Black Girls Talking, specifically focuses on the medias representation of black women. Episodes on Emmy nominations, reality TV, 90s black movies, and independent films honestly discuss the role black women play in the film and television industries.

Percentie 3 Initial Inquiry Question(s) My initial inquiry question was: How does the lack of black women in the creative stages of a TV show affect their positive representation in television series? This has morphed to focus specifically on positive representations, but all representation and compare them. Reality television shows portray black women in a negative light. What roles do reality TV shows play in comparison to shows featured on cable or primetime.

My Interest in this Topic This is a topic that hits close to home. As a young black woman, I eagerly searched for reflections of myself on my favorite television shows. In comedies like Moesha, Thats So Raven, and One-on-One I found them, but shows comparable to those have been off-air for nearly a decade now. I am interested in finding when the shift happened in television production that took black women from the forefront to the background. I would also like to figure out a way to fit in the show Scandal, one of primetimes highest watched drama that features black actress Kerry Washington. The show is directed and produced by Shonda Rhimes, the only black female at her level of television production. This is the only major show on primetime television to feature a black woman as a lead character. I already know that there has been a decline in the number of black women showcased on TV in a positive light, however I dont know any specifics on the changes behind the scenes. I hope to learn how TV watching habits changed in the black community, how that shaped the increase of black female screenwriters, directors, and producers, and specific statistics that truly represent the diversity behind the television shows.

Next Steps I will interview black female filmmakers Lena Waithe and Tchaiko Omawale. Topics like major influences, the importance of positive representation for black females and all women,

Percentie 4 and upcoming projects addressing different issues will be addressed in the interviews. I will hopefully find more research through reports released from directors guild and the screenwriters guild and interviews with black women in the television industry.