I phoned The Wright Stuff on Channel 5 this morning.
They were discussing the new TV drama, Top Boy, soon to be seen on Channel 4.
Top Boy, which will star Ashley Walters, has been criticised for focusing on young, Black gangsters and drug dealers. Hackney Council has withdrawn its permission to shoot the drama within the borough, saying that it negatively stereotypes Black youth.
The producers argue that the drama reflects life for young people on inner-city estates.
Nina Wadia, an Asian actress from EastEnders, echoed these thoughts on the show today.
My argument is that, yes, it does represent some of the realities of life for some young people.
However, there are many more stories that are not being told or not made into dramas for TV and film.
When we keep seeing the same portrayal of Black people over and over again, these images become stereotypes and cliches.
In Black Success Stories, I have profiled many successful Black people in Britain.
My free More Black Success ebooks also feature the experience of successful Black people in a range of fields.
Don't just protest against negative stereotyping. Produce positive images and positive stories like the ones in Black Success Stories and More Black Success.
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