Process Of Ethnic Identification

African Americans are not unique in having a relentless negative image of themselves portrayed in the popular media. Mexican Americans, Arab Americans, and some Southeast Asian groups are also experiencing it to some degree. In fact, most minority groups in heterogeneous societies like the United States have had a similar experience. Even European immigrants, such as the Irish in the 19th century, were commonly portrayed in the press as being dirty, stupid, alcoholic, and violent. Before the Civil War in the southern states, Irish immigrants were hired for construction jobs that were considered too risky for black slaves because they were monetarily valuable, unlike the Irish. Even as late as the mid 20th century, unemployed Irishmen in the Northeastern U.S. were at times faced by signs saying "No Irishmen need apply."


The unfavorable portrayal of African Americans still continues today, to some extent, with TV news programs focusing on black gang violence, welfare mothers, and relatively poor performance in school. After generations of images reflecting this view, many African Americans came to define themselves negatively. It was not a mere coincidence that the "black power" political movement of the 1960's created the catch phrase "black is beautiful." This was a conscious effort to counter negative images with a positive one.