Blacks on TV: II

Regarding “Where More Isn’t Much Better,” Greg Braxton’s report on African-American themes in the new fall television season (Oct. 4):

Ripping off blacks for profit is a time-honored tradition going back to “Amos ‘n’ Andy” in the ‘50s. Today the shuffling, shuck-and-jive characters of that show have been replaced by characters in hip-hop clothes using ghetto slang. Advertisers, with network cooperation, are once again picking the pockets of a gullible public, this time selling them black chic.

The problem with most of the current crop of African-American sitcoms is that they feed into the fascination young, white Americans have with almost anything black: Witness the sales of rap music, copycat hair and fashion styles and idiomatic expressions. In fact, the character Bobby Soul on “Rhythm & Blues” would probably be example No. 1, even copping his delivery to the point of being just another black stereotype in white face.

It’s time blacks quit playing the clown for the amusement of greater America. Unfortunately, there are few dignified roles or shows that depict a more realistic approach to the black experience, and the lure of “Livin’ Large” may be too strong for some actors to overlook. All one can hope for is a quick demise for those programs that exploit stereotypes, of any race or ethnic group.

GLEN KING

Professor of Broadcasting

Los Angeles Valley College

Van Nuys