Dean Ernest J. Wilson III wrote about possible solutions to the problem of declining minority media ownership and positions of senior leadership in a Feb. 17 article in The Root.
Dean Wilson wrote about the "scissors effect" of black consumption rising as black control simultaneously declines.
"There is a lot of responsibility and work to go around," he wrote. "But we all must start by recognizing that the scissors effect can cut deeply and permanently if we don't take steps now to protect and nurture our American future. This is not a black or white issue. This is an American issue."
* Hollywood needs to expand its pipelines of recruitment and aggressively seek out and mentor diverse talents who are already available to write even more popular TV, radio, video games and other content -- and not just at entry levels, but all along the upward professional tracks that characterize the Los Angeles media guild system.
* Washington, especially the Federal Communications Commission, needs to guarantee the openness, competitiveness and minimal barriers to entry that innovation requires. This can start with supporting the research required to let the FCC Commissioners know what will happen to the voices of women, people of color and residents of rural areas and urban neighborhoods if further consolidation of large media conglomerates is encouraged.
* Communities of color need to seize whatever educational opportunities they can (which shrunk as the economy fell to its knees) and learn the skills and cultures of media and entertainment.
* Educators must broaden their siloed views of teaching to get ahead. Black study experts should pay more attention to the empowerment (and disempowerment) possibilities of the new ICTs, just as those in the communication field must pay more attention to diversity not as an afterthought but as an issue that must be front and central.
