Is the media to blame for how Black men are perceived by society?

Is the Black community to be held responsible for its laziness in stopping individuals within its community from enhancing poor stereotypical images of its Black men?

Or, is the entire entertainment industry at fault for exploiting the sick, twisted traditions of prison and criminal thuggery for capital gain and using Black men as its face?
The answer would be all of the above.

We’ve never been one to talk on a subject week after week, but following the fatal shooting of Omar Edwards in Harlem and the recent memorial ceremonies that have followed his death, we had to add to the dialogue of race and how Black men are identified by the general public.

Are there problems within NYPD when it comes to Black men? Sure.

Are all of its officers a bunch of racists? No.

Should the white officer Andrew Dunton have known better in proceeding with a Black man? Yes.
Could Dunton be a victim, as well, of American characterization through race? Definitely.

The images of Black men have always tilted toward the negative in this country since slavery. Ever since Black folk stepped off the boat, we have been defined as less than white, bad and or in some cases, individuals without a soul.

From Amos ‘n’ Andy, Sanford and Son to modern day gangsta’ rappers with college degrees, the image of Black men has always – at least the majority of the time – leaned on the negative.
But is the problem built in our mindset?

To help American citizens – and New Yorkers - get past this “Black” thing it must come to grips with the very hurdles that have been placed on a population of people since the beginning of this great country of ours. Until that’s done, we will never progress in the race department – even if we did elect the first Black president in Barack Obama.

Let’s take a look at how the words “white” and “Black” are defined.

According to various dictionaries the word “Black” is marked by anger or resentment or hostility - "Black looks"; “Black words.” The word is also described as offering little or no hope - "the future looked Black"; "prospects were bleak"; "Life in the Aran Islands has always been bleak and difficult"- J.M.Synge; "took a dim view of things.” And, the word “Black,” according to various texts, stems from evil characteristics or forces - wicked or dishonorable; "Black deeds"; "a Black lie"; "his Black heart has concocted yet another Black deed"; "Darth Vader of the dark side"; "a dark purpose"; "dark undercurrents of ethnic hostility"; "the scheme of some sinister intelligence bent .”
Hmmm, interesting.

Now, what about the word “white?”

According to these same texts, “white” is benevolent; without malicious intent; "that's white of you." The word is also described as being free from moral blemish or impurity; unsullied; "in shining white armor." And the word “white” is also described as being marked by the presence of snow; "a white

Christmas"; "the white hills of a northern winter."

With that said, we’re willing to bet if you flip through the pages of history and delve into the early stages of prominent conflicts, factors of image, characterization and race may smack you in the face.

Officer Dunton may not have a racist bone in his body – but the initial reaction he had to pull the trigger and fatally shoot officer Edwards, may prove to be the very component Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly need to add to their enhanced sensitivity training program.

If we chose not to talk about race and its underlying contributions to society, New York will never be able to kill that ugly little worm that’s truly taking a bite out of the Big Apple.