Whenever we look at TV or movies, you always see people coming up with inventions or interesting concoctions.  If my memory serves me correctly, none of these people were black except Steve Urkel, played by Jaleel White, on Family Matters.  If you do recall seeing black people creating things, were they practical, and not silly or simple?  If you can recall seeing these images, let me know.  I know I missed it.

Believe it or not, black people invented many things we use and take for granted today.  Traffic signals, lawn mowers, elevators, pencil sharpeners, mops, and dustpans are just a few of the creations resulting from the genius of black people.  Unless you research these things on your own or watch PBS or the History Channel, this information would not be known.

What’s my point? Black inventors are still expressing their creative genius today.  And, they are still NOT Seen on TV.

I had a chance to experience black inventors firsthand at the Chicago’s First Black Inventors Entrepreneurs Organization (CFBIEO). Who knew such an organization existed?  I was impressed by the number of current and inspiring inventors there are, and the diversity was encouraging, too.  I met a board game creator; product marketer; and intellectual property attorneys.

Calvin Flowers is the Founder, Chairman and Executive Director of CFBIEO.  He has served in this role since 2004.  Prior to starting the organization, he invented, patented and sold his invention, Tel-Lock to stores such as Walgreens and Supervalu.  A legal battle ensued and he won, but the situation set him on a mission to help others to avoid such mishaps, if possible.

I just wanted to let you know that contrary to what is seen on TV, black inventors do exist.  You can meet them at Chicago First Black Inventors and Entrepreneurs Organization.  Visit their website for more details about the organization, their meeting schedule, and the prices and benefits of membership and the cost to join.

Let’s work on getting this organization and its faithful inventors the proper recognition they deserve so they can be seen on TV.

“ Africa is special because there is little common understanding between Africans and Americans to provide context for interpretation” (Hawk 1992:4)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=826tpNNrCF0

What are the first things that come to mind when you think of Ethiopia? Poverty?  Famine? African children with bloated tummies from lack of food?  Ethiopia and other regions of Africa are usually viewed in only a negative perspective. This is because mainstream media tend to hide the beauty and elegance of Africa by focusing on stereotypes. I believe these stereotypes were created out of lack of knowledge.

Mainstream media has a huge impact on the way we view the world.  They feed us false facts about Africa, thereby blinding us from the truth.  Common misconceptions include visions of a land completely covered with forests and exotic animals; African people as “tribal”, poor, and uneducated; and Africa is shown as HIV-ridden, corrupt, violent, and unsafe.  Calling Africa a country is also false; it is a continent.

As if sharing false information wasn’t enough, media sources seldom show the existence of the upper class regions of Africa, the regions with beautiful, prospering cities.  Rarely do we hear or see stories or images of Addis Ababa, the beautiful capital of Ethiopia.  There is even less talk about how Africa and its culture have inspired the world.

The video above shows Africa’s artistic, architectural enriched cities and gorgeous landscapes.  These are things that are rarely seen on TV, if ever.

Missie Hahn is a freelance journalist, photographer, and regular contributor to As NOT Seen on TV.

I have yet to run across the progressive African Americans that made it to the World’s Fair in history books (I’m still in my early stages).  However, Ethel Worthington, the Great Aunt of artistic genius, Kenneth Worthington,was the first black woman to display art at the Columbia Exposition.  This artist and photographer made fine China.  She did everything from start to finish – fired it; glazed it; and painted it.  That’s talent!

Here is Ms. Ethel featured on the front page of the Pullman Porter’s Review in October of 1916. She went on to sell and display art work at Chicago Marshall Fields Store on State Street in Chicago.

A Black Tween Idol between the ages of 10 – 13 is needed.  I would do it myself, but… On second thought, let me think about this.

I have an 11-year-old sister who listens to Radio Disney and watches Disney movies, High School Musical and all that other good stuff for young people.  It is disappointing to see the lack of Black faces and voices on these media outlets. And, the the only two African Americans I can think of – Raven Symone and KeKe Palmer – are closer to adulthood than tween years. Hannah Montana, the Jonas Brothers and many of the singers on Disney are beyond these pre-pubescent years, too.

While I am not mad about their success on any level, I’m just saying that it would be great to see people who look like my little sister, who are are the same age with as my little sister, and who share the same interests as her.

Since it will probably be a lot to ask mainstream media networks to do it without them selling our babies out on some level, I guess this is a project I may have to take on myself. I have NO idea about the entertainment industry, but for the sake of maintaining their innocence and sanity, I may just have to it.

Anyway, if anyone has any ideas or suggestions on how I can get a couple talented tween idols, let me know.

In January, I wrote a story African American Women with HIV/AIDS Are Not Seen on TV because I felt that Black women are virtually ignored by mainstream media in general.  Just look at TV shows on ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox; blockbuster films; and TV commercials. They are NOT there.

Anyway, I received a press release from Carol Ash, 5 a.m. Producer on NBC 5 – Chicago, about the “Color of AIDS” Campaign that is taking place between February 7 – February 12, 2010.  Two of the journalists quoted confirmed what I shared in my story:

According to Chris Pena, Assistant News Director:
“We are excited about this opportunity to shed light on an issue that is often overlooked, but affects such a large number of people in our community.”

Zoraida Sambolin, NBC-5 news anchor observed:
“This is something many people don’t talk about.  HIV/AIDS does not get the attention it used to and it certainly isn’t covered in communities of color….”

Even though the two news people were referring to people of color in general, the fact that African American women account for over 50% of the newly reported HIV/AIDS cases needs to be publicized more.  Their health should be as important as the next person’s.

Maybe this is an assignment: to make sure African Americans with HIV/AIDS are seen on TV.

Every 6 seconds one person, or ten people per minute,  is infected with HIV/AIDS.  Unfortunately, most of these people are black women  in the United States.

According to the Center for Disease control, African American women account for over 50% of  the newly reported HIV/AIDS cases.  In fact, twelve percent of the entire population is comprised of black people, yet they have disproportionately  higher AIDS/HIV rates.

You’re probably wondering: what does this have to do with media? It means that African Americans, particularly women, with HIV/AIDS are NOT Seen on TV.

When HIV/AIDS was thought to be a gay white male disease in the 80s, there was a huge uproar with new reports and free flowing information from ALL media sources.  It wasn’t just because the disease was new, although that certainly had an impact.  I really don’t think it had a lot to do with the fact that the persons infected were gay.  I do believe that because the group affected were white men, all hell broke lose.  Now that African Americans are the fastest growing population of the epidemic, it seems to be swept under the rug.

The whys of the increase do not matter, neither do the hows.  What really matters in this case is the who.

I have seen posters, some magazines, and other ads with the colorful faces, but for some reason, this topic just doesn’t seem to be important enough to be flashed across TV screens at the rate at which it  should be shown.  I mean, we are still hearing about Tiger Woods’ mistake even though he said he needed a break to get things together.

So, why are we not hearing anything about this epidemic that is killing Black women at lightening speeds. Would the level of apathy be the same if the infected population was white?

Why do you think Black Women with HIV/AIDS are not seen on TV?

Check out this video to find out who controls mainstream media. This message would never be seen on TV, but you saw it here on AS NOT Seen on TV.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxa19v3eNvc