Category: African Americans

Introduction

To encourage recovery in patients, one often has to approach a specific health concern by exploring multiple factors contributing to the aggravation of a patient’s condition. Furthermore, the presence of comorbid issues is very frequent when tending to the needs of generalized audiences (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Therefore, a healthcare provider should be capable of performing an all-embracive assessment of a patient and locate physical, biological, and psychiatric issues that may affect the latter’s well-being.

A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is especially important when determining health issues in an adolescent patient since the latter may develop emotional and cognitive problems otherwise (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). By conducting a physical, psychiatric, and biological assessment of an adolescent patient with a generalized anxiety disorder, one will be able to offer an effective treatment that will address multiple sociocultural factors affecting the patient negatively.

In the case under analysis, the issue of the generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is explored. GAD is a rather common problem in adolescents. As the American Psychiatric Association (2013) clarifies, GAD is a condition that can be described by excessive anxiety, which does not pertain to any specific subject and is difficult to control. Among the key symptoms of GAD, one should mention generalized anxiety continuing for six months or more, restlessness, increased fatigue, muscle ache, and irritability.

However, the symptoms of GAD may vary depending on patient-specific factors, as well as external influences that affect a patient’s well-being. GAD is highly prevalent, with a total of 2.7% of the U.S. population being affected by it (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). The etiological factors of the disorder include family history and exposure to stress.

Case Scenario

X is a thirteen-year-old African American female, who has been suffering from anxiety for over a year. X is very shy and generally reserved, with the propensity toward introversion. She is raised by a single mother and has supportive grandparents. X has not had any major health complaints so far except dental issues (frequent cavity development). Last year, X’s mother had to apply for the second job due to financial constraints, which led to a drop in the amount of communication between her and X, as well as the need for X to become more independent in the management of home- and school-related concerns.

Over the past few months, X has been developing increasingly great anxiety with frequent panic attacks. At present, X experiences difficulties falling asleep and socializing, with any negative factor setting off her anxiety. For instance, X has acquired the fear of using an elevator and now prefers to use a staircase instead. X also feels tired almost all the time and has lost her enthusiasm for any activity from academic ones to her hobbies.

The observed symptoms, particularly, fatigue, sleep issues, and the continuous feeling of anxiety, are characteristic for GAD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Therefore, it is recommended to perform the necessary screening. In addition, the patient has difficulties breathing, which aggravate her fatigue. The observed symptoms are characteristic of asthma, which makes the need to introduce a treatment for anxiety urgent. Finally, there is a biological condition that requires addressing. Particularly, the excessive fatigue from which X suffers can also be attributed to anemia (Freeman & Morando, 2016). Thus, to manage the needs of the patient, a comprehensive treatment strategy is required.

Screening Tools

To determine the presence of GAD in the patient, one should consider applying the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. The specified tool allows locating the presence of key GAD symptoms and identifying the degree of GAD development. Specifically, the patient will be provided with several questions aimed at evaluating the extent to which GAD manifests itself at present (Jordan, Shedden-Mora, & Löwe, 2017). The outcomes of the assessment will inform a therapist about the strategies and treatment options that will have to be considered to meet X’s needs.

Moreover, the presence of asthma and anemia should be taken into account. To diagnose the existence of asthma in the patient, one has to apply a combination of spirometry and X-raying since the two will allow producing the most accurate outcome when combined (Yadav et al., 2015). Due to the possibility of an instance of anxiety prompting an asthma attack, the key factors causing the former will have to be determined.

Furthermore, detailed information about the irritants that prompt an asthma attack will be needed for successful treatment (Yadav et al., 2015). Finally, to diagnose anemia in the patient, the Complete Blood Count (CBC) test will be required (Freeman & Morando, 2016). The results of the specified screening will inform the strategy regarding the management of fatigue levels in the patient.

Assessment Criteria

When considering the problems faced by X, one should mention that there is a common symptom for all of them. Particularly, the presence of unusually high rates of fatigue should be seen as the direct indication of the disorders. In addition, the factors such as the patient’s gender and age will have to be included in the assessment criteria. Specifically, it is important to bear in mind that adolescent patients are prone to be influenced by anxiety especially greatly due to the challenges linked to the physiological and psychological changes that they experience as a result of the transfer from one stage of development to another. Therefore, the fact that the patient is female and is 13 years old needs to be borne in mind when selecting the treatment tools.

For instance, the pressure of social standards for the way in which women are supposed to look may become especially excruciating for X. In addition, the current GAD problem may evolve to the separation anxiety disorder (SAD) since the mother is currently forced to spend less time with the patient. Similarly, the development of anemia and asthma may be enhanced by the factors associated with the patient’s age (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Therefore, when developing an assessment framework, the specified aspects of X’s condition will have to be taken into account. Indeed, recent data shows that female patients are especially prone to the development of GAD (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). Furthermore, the current socioeconomic position of the patient and her mother implies that the former is unlikely to get immediate access to the required tools and treatment for health maintenance (Jordan et al., 2017). Therefore, it is imperative for a healthcare provider to introduce a communication framework for maintaining the consistent dialogue with X and her mother.

Health Promotion

For X to recover successfully, she will have to develop a range of skills and acquire substantial knowledge for addressing the issue associated with her current condition. Specifically, one will have to create an elaborate system of patient education. The required process will have to be twofold since it will imply both the improvement in the delivery of key messages and the use of better data management tools.

Specifically, a nurse will have to utilize the strategies that will allow for a more effective patient learning process. These will include interactive media, visual aids, and applications that will provide the patient with immediate access to the available health management data.

Furthermore, the patient will have to receive detailed guidelines regarding the management of anemia and the prevention of asthma attacks. Specifically, a change in the current dieting choices made by X will be needed to address the anemia problem. As far as the asthma issue is concerned, X will have to receive clear and accurate instructions concerning the identification of threats, particularly, potential irritants, and avoiding them. In addition, the patient will require medications that will reduce the effects of allergens and prevent the development of breathing problems.

Risk Factors

Because of the socioeconomic and personal anxieties that X currently has, she is under the influence of numerous risk factors that may aggravate her GAD. Particularly, the fact that X’s mother had to reduce the time spent with her daughter in order to improve the financial situation may become a problem for the further recovery. Despite the fact that the girl also receives extensive support from her grandparents, she may lack interactions with her mother, which may aggravate her condition to an even greater degree.

Therefore, it is highly advised that the mother should improve the quality of communication with X, as well as incorporate the communication tools that will allow her to maintain the dialogue with X consistently. Furthermore, the exposure to the factors that may induce the development of an asthma attack should also be seen as a risk factor. The patient will have to learn to avoid the irritants that may incite tan asthma attack, as well as cope with the anxieties that she may develop due to the psychological pressure.

Treatment Plan

In order to manage the problems described above, one will need to consider a therapy that is expected to assist in reducing the levels of anxiety in a child, as well as remove the factors that cause it in the first place. Therefore, the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) will be required. The proposed technique will allow introducing the patient to the possibility of controlling the levels of her anxiety. Particularly, the use of the CBT tool will imply both the provision of specific guidelines concerning the management of the specified issue and the general education of the patient.

The suggested technique is expected to affect not only X’s ability to manage the disease and avert the threats that may entail an anxiety attack. In addition to the specified skill, the patient will also receive an opportunity to get an insight into the nature of the disease. In addition, the use of the CBT approach will help the patient to understand the connections between her anxiety disorder and the rest of the conditions that affect her. Specifically, she will learn about the link between her GAD and asthma. Particularly, the fact that an instance of GAD may entail an asthma attack will have to be made explicit to the patient. As soon as X recognizes the connection between the conditions by which she is affected, one will be able to introduce a positive shift in her dynamics.

Furthermore, the fact that X’s anemia may cause an even greater rise in the fatigue levels and affect the patient’s well-being will also have to be addressed when promoting patient education. Therefore, the application of a complex approach toward the management of X’s current state is critical to the further well-being of the patient. By introducing the therapy that will allow incorporating several frameworks for treatment, one will ensure a faster recovery and an enhanced promotion of patient education.

Conclusion

Because of the influence of a range of factors that define the presence of GAD, anemia, and asthma in the patient, one will have to adopt a framework for taking each of the specified factors into account. A multifaceted approach toward handling the issue of GAD is critical since X also suffers from anemia and asthma, each being linked to GAD due to the mechanics of the disorders. Therefore, X will require a complex treatment along with an elaborate patient education technique.

One has to ensure that the patient is aware of the connection between the disorders and the factors that cause them. In addition, a nurse will have to build the levels of preparedness in X so that she could be able to prevent a dangerous situation or address the problem once it starts developing. As a result, the current issue will be addressed adequately. The problem of communication with the mother as one of the factors that may cause the development of anxiety in the patient will have to be handled along with the lack of patient education. Therefore, a combination of CBT, medications, and patient education will have to be regarded as essential.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

Freeman, A. M., & Morando, D. W. (2016). Anemia, screening. Web.

Jordan, P., Shedden-Mora, M. C., & Löwe, B. (2017). Psychometric analysis of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) in primary care using modern item response theory. PloS One, 12(8), 1-14. Web.

National Institute of Mental Health. (2017). Generalized anxiety disorder. Web.

Yadav, A., Corrales-Medina, F. F., Stark, J. M., Hashmi, S. S., Carroll, M. P., Smith, K. G.,… Mosquera, R. A. (2015). Application of an asthma screening questionnaire in children with sickle cell disease. Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, 28(3), 177-182. Web.

Aims of the Dissertation

This should include ‘to investigate the following hypothesis or to answer the following research question(s)’. With the same then specified as bullet points.

Among the variety of aims that have to be achieved in the process of writing a dissertation, it is necessary to define the following objectives:

• To comprehend the reasons of why African American communities, face a number of challenges in the clinic trials;
• To identify the consequences of such low level of participation in the chosen community;
• To define how social aspects like the chosen style of life, living conditions, or time limitations may influence African Americans’ participation in clinic trials;
• To introduce the cultural issue and the difficulties which are developed on the cultural field;
• To comprehend how the presence of volunteers influence the general state of affairs concerning African Americans’ participation in clinic trials;
• To evaluate how African Americans, suffer due to such inequality and inabilities to become worthwhile participants of clinic trials.

In fact, proper and clear definition of writing aims helps to start writing and to clear up what results have to be expected from the work done and what may happen in case some steps are taken in a wrong way. What is more important, the evaluation of aims introduces a good way of how the work has to be organized from the very beginning. The main research question of the dissertation is connected to the level of African Americans’ participation in clinic trials and the reasons of why this level is not as high as it has to be (Anderson, 2000; Bordas, 2007; Early, 2006).

To evaluate the theme of clinic trials and African Americans participation, it is necessary to pay much attention to social and cultural aspects of conditions under which the chosen community lives. It is not enough to identify the problem and its causes but also to focus on solving these problems and improving the situation.

Methodology

This section is about how you propose to answer the questions above or to investigate the hypothesis. A pilot study is recommended before using a questionnaire with the main sample.

Feasibility

Have you got the resources necessary – e.g. access to data –consent from your firm – some indication of the willingness of subjects to be questioned or interviewed?

The theme under consideration may be investigated in a number of different ways. First, the sources available online may be used: Internet magazines, articles, and books. Second, being a member of the local library, it is possible to find enough reliable info there. And finally, personal investigations help to observe the style of life supported by African Americans and the challenges they face nowadays. Each of the above-mentioned sources has its own positive and negative sides: the Internet sources are available 24/7, this is why there are no time limitations and restrictions, the only weakness is connected to the impossibility to be sure about the reliability of data found online.

Library sources are usually reliable but much time has be to spent to find out necessary information. Personal investigations may be used from numerous perspectives but still, it is necessary to be ready to prove that the chosen idea and fact is appropriate for the theme under analysis.

How Your Work Fits Existing Published Work

Find about 10 sources of information (references) connected to the work you propose to do and analyze them as to how your work fills a gap or extends them. Compare and contrast them with each other and with your approach. Some (at least 5) must be academic publications, preferably from refereed Journals, which will be found in our online library. Citations from the main textbooks used for your modules are NOT sufficient here.

Why You Are Doing This Topic

Apart from the obvious – to get my Masters degree, what is the benefit hoped for to your firm or industry etc. What actions may result from the valuable insights gained?

The African American community plays an important role in society we live in now. This is why it is crucially important to evaluate the challenges and inequalities this community faces. The reasons of why the theme “The Lack of African American Participation in Clinical Trial in the United States” is chosen are clear and comprehensible: social and cultural aspects are always interesting to investigate, and if there is a chance to touch upon these aspects while writing a dissertation, it is necessary to make use of this opportunity and to enlarge the level of personal knowledge.

Timing Mileposts

N.B. You must reach stage 8 at least four weeks before your deadline; a month contingency provision is also advisable to allow for slippages. This is to enable your DA to give you sufficient Feedback on your final draft.

You should produce a final Proposal for submission to the SM for approval (as agreed with your DA) in between one and two months from your classroom date. However, please aim for 7 weeks from your start date (class date) at the latest, to ensure time for any necessary revisions and final approval by the 8 week cut-off.

References:

Anderson, E 2000 Code of the Street: Decency, Violence, and the Moral Life of the Inner City. Norton, London.

Bordas, J 2007 Salsa, Soul, and Spirit : Leadership for a Multicultural Age. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco.

Early, G 2006 ‘Black Ball’. In E. Aaron Compact Reader. 8th edition. St Martins, Bedford.

Introduction

This paper presents a critique of a qualitative research study by Ogedegbe, Mancuso, and Allegrante (2004) entitled, ‘Expectations of blood pressure management in hypertensive African American patients: a qualitative study.’ The authors acknowledge that hypertension is indeed more common among Americans of African descent; they are found to experience more of the detrimental effects of the condition compared to their European American counterparts. The introduction of the article cites various references from previous investigations, which explain the racial disparity existing between the two groups. In the course of the study, certain patterns emerged that permitted the researchers to inductively come up with suppositions which led to phenomenological approach to the experiences and perceptions of African American hypertensive patients concerning treatment expectations.

Study Purpose and Research Questions

The purpose of the study is tacitly indicated in the abstract and the introduction part of the study; the purpose of the research is to extract and distinguish the treatment expectations among hypertensive patients of African American origin adhered to a basic care practice. The study does not have a hypothesis as should be the case for qualitative research. Instead, the driving force behind the research is the proposition that patients’ expectations of their treatment of hypertension are likely to be either biomedical or non-biomedical. There exists some positive subjectivity on the researchers’ part in that the study allows them to carry out their study in accordance with the literature review (Burns & Grove, 2011, p. 82).

Literature Review

There is no delineated literature review section. However, the researchers draw on some pertinent literature in an attempt to give a logical background to their study. For instance, at the beginning of the study, the authors refer to a similar study of older hypertensive women in Louisiana (Ogedegbe, Mancuso, & Allegrante, 2004, p.443). This provides useful evidence to back up the need to analyze patients’ beliefs before making a prescription. Most of the literature cited is relevant to that time though very little of it is closer enough to the time of inquiry. In fact, the literature is somewhat vague and lacks depth as there is only a brief description. There is little evaluation of that literature.

Majority of the references seem to be based on empirical investigations though very little details are provided. The article is considered a phenomenological inquiry; the authors present and discuss the weakness of the previous study on the subject. The review presents a convincing argument for the significance of such a study.

Conceptual / Theoretical Framework

There is no definitive conceptual or theoretical framework; the authors direct us along with the supposition that patients’ beliefs, especially their perception of patient care, affect clinical results. The authors depict the various approaches toward tackling the prevalent hypertensive problem among African Americans. This way, the reader not only gets acquainted with the researchers’ motive but also understands the author’s perspective.

Study Design and Procedures

A research approach determines the design of a study (Creswell, 2003, p.159). The interview technique was clearly a qualitative paradigm and was appropriate in collecting numerical data and addressing the research issue. The specific sample group of adult African American patients diagnosed with hypertension and having at least a year’s encounter with high blood pressure treatment prescriptions was also deliberate; considering all the factors mentioned in selecting the sample, it offered the best chance to study and understand the social context of the problem.

Recoding the patients’ responses verbatim was a sure way of minimizing bias and ensuring reliability and validity. The same case is applicable to the choosing of respondents who are fluent in English. However, this may have locked out useful information especially from a population that does not speak English well but which has similar if not deeper experiences. Tape recording the participants’ responses would also have added validity to the data collected.

Ethical Considerations

The researchers obtained approval from the Institutional review board before conducting the study. The consent of the patients was sought before the interviews showed that the study was ethical. Subjects were identified through a review of medical records and appointment registers. However, it is not clear if the review of medical records was approved.

Results

The researchers’ presentation of the findings of the study is complete and is based on the participants’ responses. The continuous attempts to observe and categorize consistent patterns of perceptions, explanations, and expression show that African American hypertensive patients have various expectations of their treatment. The researchers also admit to some weaknesses in their inquiry in terms of sample population, research methodologies and nature of findings (Ogedegbe, Mancuso, & Allegrante, 2004, p.448). They nevertheless propose other data collection methods for future research.

Conclusion

The findings of this study will indeed be of realistic significance to clinical nursing practices. The results will particularly help improve clinical practice by informing healthcare providers on hypertension units. It will inform future investigations on the need to include validity instruments to determine hypertensive patients’ perceptions regarding medication adherence and controlling high blood pressure.

References

Burns, N., & Grove, S. (2011). Understanding nursing research: Building an evidence- based practice. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.

Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. London: Sage Publications.

Ogedegbe, G., Mancuso, C. A. & Allegrante, J. P. (2004). Expectations of blood pressure management in hypertensive African American patients: a qualitative study.Journal of National Medical Association, 96(4), 442-449. Web.

The selected topic for this study is “High Blood Pressure Among African American Children Aged 13 to 18”. High blood pressure remains a major health issue affecting many people in different parts of the globe. Past studies have also indicated that this health challenge has gone unnoticed in many children. This fact explains why children should be described as an ignored population when it comes to the problem of high blood pressure. Brady et al. (2015) indicate that hypertension in children has increased significantly within the past few decades. This problem explains why cardiovascular health in children has become a critical issue today.

Lessons from the Article

The article “Real-Time Electronic Medical Record Alerts Increase High Blood Pressure Recognition in Children” explores the problem of hypertension in children. Several lessons and ideas can be identified from the article. The authors begin by arguing that pediatric hypertension is a major problem that has been ignored for many years. Healthcare practitioners in pediatric settings have continued to encounter numerous obstacles whenever providing care to their patients. As well, the article indicates that “routine blood pressure (BP) measurement has remained extremely low in different healthcare settings” (Brady et al., 2015, p. 667). This has been the case despite the fact that pediatric hypertension still remains high. The use of an effective “electronic medical record (EMR) alert can increase the recognition of elevated blood pressure in pediatric primary care settings” (Brady et al., 2015, p. 667).

The researchers observed that the rate of elevated BP recognition increased from 12.5 to over 42 percent during the study (Brady et al., 2015). This strategy made it easier for many healthcare providers to identify the major risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The authors therefore embrace the continued use of real-time EMR (Brady et al., 2015). Such technologies can make it easier for medical practitioners to monitor the health outcomes of many children. Increased BP recognition in children can make it easier for caregivers to deliver the most desirable medical support. The other important lesson from the article is that new measures should be used to improve the recognition of elevated BP in children. As well, the article explains why different healthcare settings should implement the use of real-time EMRs. Such alerts will eventually support the health needs of many people at risk of cardiovascular disease.

Implications of the Study

Children encounter high-blood pressure challenges similar to those faced by adults. The use of modern informatics such as real-time EMRs will increase the level of elevated BP recognition. This knowledge can make it easier for more caregivers to address the problem of high blood pressure in many African American children aged between 13 and 18. The study findings also encourage medical practitioners to propose better lifestyle changes that can minimize chances of hypertension in children (Grossman et al., 2014). For instance, a healthy lifestyle will make it possible for more individuals to achieve their goals. Adults can also engage in physical exercises, manage weight, and avoid smoking (“Hypertension and your sex life”, 2015). Real-time EMRs can be used in both domestic and clinical settings to monitor elevated blood pressure. The process will make it easier for more people to deal with the health problems associated with hypertension. These processes will improve the lifestyles of many African American children.

Reference List

Brady, T., Neu, A., Miler, E., Appel, L., Siberry, G., & Solomon, B. (2015). Real-time electronic medical record alerts increase high blood pressure recognition in children. Clinical Pediatrics, 54(7), 667-675.

Grossman, A., Cohen, N., Shemesh, J., Koren-Morag, N., Leibowitz, A., & Grossman, E. (2014). Exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise is not associated with masked hypertension in patients with high normal blood pressure levels. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 16(4), 272-282.

Hypertension and your sex life. (2015). Scientific American, 1, 10-15.

The stand of the author

Tracey Owens Patton has noted that beauty among all women is measured according to cultural and societal standards. In comparison with white woman, the black woman is equally beautiful, although many African women are trying to follow the standards of beauty employed by their white counterparts. This brings about devastating effects to the black woman (Patton, 2006)

My opinion

I totally agree with Patton because beauty entails a lot. According to the way of life of different societies, different standards of beauty will be employed. Trying to adopt the standards of another society will be harmful since many will try to change their ways of living in order to fit in the new standards of beauty.

Gender equity in health policies

Stand of the author

Stewart and colleagues (2009) point out that many health policies in different countries are generally gender insensitive with women being disadvantaged. Gender inequity exists in countries regardless of culture, religion, politics and economic status. Health policies should be implemented in order to improve the health and wellbeing of women (Stewart et al, 2009).

My opinion

Women have always been considered weak and thus they are always disadvantaged in many ways. I agree with the authors’ opinion because, with equity in health policies, cases like rape, abortions and domestic violence will go down and the mental torture that many women do undergo will reduce greatly. All human beings have feelings and should be treated equally in all aspects.

Compassion fatigue and burnouts

Authors’ stand

Compassion fatigue and burnouts are common to health workers especially nurse. Many will tend to be affected negatively by the deteriorating conditions of their patients. This leads to a sad life to the workers with many of them quitting job after a period of intolerance. Greater exposure should be given to the health workers during their studies in order to increase their perseverance. (Potter et al, 2010).

My opinion

I partly disagree with the author. Compassion fatigue and burnouts in healthcare workers occurs at early stages. After getting used to the environment, most of them tend to become hostile especially in public hospitals. This leads to improper administration of medication leading to death. Thus law should be imposed for all healthcare workers to remain caring to patients.

Reference List

Patton, T. O. (2006). Hey Girl, Am I More than My Hair?: African American Women and Their Struggles with Beauty, Body Image, and Hair. ASS’N J, 24(26).

Potter, P., Deshilds, T., Divanbeigi, J., Berger, J., Cipriano, D., Norris, L., & Olsen, S. (2010). Compassion fatigue and burnout: prevalence among oncology nurses. Clin J Oncol Nurs, 14(5), E 56-62.

Stewart, D. E., Dorado, L. M., Diaz-Granados, N., Rondon, M., Saavedra, J., Posada-Villa, J., & Torres, Y. (2009). Examining gender equity in health policies in a low-(Peru), middle- (Colombia), and high- (Canada) income country in the Americas. J Public Health Policy, 30(4), 439-54.

In order to overcome the steadily increasing maternal mortality rate in Georgia, efforts are being made to collect and comprehensively analyze maternal mortality data. In a 2010 Amnesty International report, Georgia was the US state with the worst maternal mortality (Thomas and Gusman 2018). It may indicate systemic problems, such as poor quality of medical care and social challenges. Georgia Department of Public Health claims that in the United States, the number of registered maternal deaths related to pregnancy is growing in both white women and representatives of minority groups (n.d). These studies have led to the need for the collaboration of the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC). Together the organizations could monitor the women’s health condition during pregnancy and reduce the risks of complications of black mothers.

The Committee includes 36 representatives who hold periodic meetings to discuss the issue of maternal mortality. Co-chair representatives Sharon Cooper and Mark Newton hold regular meetings to identify the medical and non-medical issues and possible measures to address the problems or reduce the risk of death (Boockholdt 2019). Mortality data is collected for an annual report reflecting the frequency of deaths caused mainly by socio-demographic factors. Starting in 2017, the General Assembly began funding initiatives to overcome the maternal mortality crisis. In the fiscal year 2018 budget, $100,000 was allocated to evaluate and recommend a program to reduce maternal mortality using research (Boockholdt 2019). This is a prominent step on the way to allocating a budget to overcome maternal mortality in Georgia.

The ultimate purpose of the Committee is to reduce the number of maternal deaths in Georgia with the help of research conducted and statistics collected. The way to achieve this goal is to improve the quality of maternity care and ensure access to it by any social group. The Committee is operating to understand the causes of maternal mortality in Georgia, raise awareness of the problems associated with pregnancy-related deaths, and promote changes in systems, communities, and individuals (Georgia Department of Public Health n.d.). Following these purposes invariably leads to better health indicators and reduces preventable mortality associated with pregnancy.

The Committee’s history began long before its appearance in the state of Georgia, back in the early 20th century, when the mortality rates were the highest in the entire history of observations. Since the 1930s, maternal mortality review committees have been established at the State and local levels to address this problem (Pierre et al. 2019). At that time, some specific deaths were analyzed in order to understand what caused them and develop a plan of assistance for subsequent incidents. The structure is based on conducting comprehensive, interdisciplinary reviews, in which the committee members had to have the necessary tools. It includes relevant experience, access to data, the possibility of a confidential investigation, and consideration of the details of the case. Even though the problem of mortality among African-American women was initially not separated, the competence of the committees began to expand and spread to other states.

In Georgia State, the Committee’s program aims to address maternal deaths that occur directly during childbirth or within a year after. It reviews each case separately to determine the relation with complications during childbirth, causes, and factors and recommends measures to reduce mortality in the future. This multidisciplinary Committee consists of doctors, nurses, public health workers, and epidemiologists who actively help mothers, including mothers of minority groups. The Law of Georgia grants the Committee the authority to collect data to consider maternal deaths, which would help to ensure the confidentiality of cases and the legal protection of committee members (Georgia Department of Public Health n.d.). The Committee’s program also significantly helps the mental stability of mothers who feel safe in Georgia hospitals.

The main success of the Committee’s work is that, as of 2022, women in Georgia have equal access to healthcare and medical treatment before, during, and after pregnancy to exclude all preventable causes of maternal mortality. This helps reduce the percentage of deaths among members of the minority groups and improves the overall medical provision of the state (Georgia Department of Public Health n.d.). Despite the overall success of the Committee, it regularly faces the challenge of providing resources and technical assistance. It happens due to the interstate work of the Committee, which has to meet varying needs and sometimes to accommodate personal cases. Despite the fact that Georgia is actively overcoming maternal mortality, it still remains at the bottom of the safety rating due to long-term ignoring of the problem.

Thus, the Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee sets its direct task to ensure safe childbirth for women, which directly correlates with the safety of labor and delivery for representatives of minority groups. Since the mortality rate among black women has been extremely high recently, the Committee’s work in current conditions will be more related to providing conditions for childbirth to this social group. As a result, the death rate will decrease among African-American women in Georgia.

References

Boockholdt, Tara. House of Representatives Study Committee on Maternal Mortality. 2019. House Budget and Research Office.

Boockholdt, Tara. Maternal Mortality in Georgia. 2019. House Budget and Research Office.

Maternal Mortality. n.d. Georgia Department of Public Health.

Pierre, Amy St., Julie Zaharatos, David Goodman and William M. Callaghan. “Challenges and Opportunities in Identifying, Reviewing, and Preventing Maternal Deaths.”Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2019. 131 (1): 138-142.

Thomas, Krysten, and Nicole Gusman. “When the State Fails: Maternal Mortality and Racial Disparity in Georgia.” American Public Health Association. 2018.

Introduction

• COVID-19 is a new strain of the coronavirus, a respiratory disease.
• First reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
• Transmitted through droplets from an infected person and spread through coughing and sneezing.
• Globally, has affected approximately 3 million people, recording over 200,000 deaths.
• Considered significantly fatal to elderly and people with underlying medical conditions.
• Black American community is most affected.
• People of color not able to access test kits or treatment/access to a health facility when sick.

COVIC-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It has spread all over the world and has literally caused a shutdown on the economy. Many stock markets have plunged due to the disease with many investors seeking to pull out their funds in an attempt to shield themselves from the effects of the virus. Many airlines have also closed down alongside both small and large scale businesses.

Black Americans have been most affected due to various reasons. One reason is the fact that a significant number of casual laborers and part time workers are black Americans. This means that they cannot afford to stay at home during the pandemic and have to risk in order to put food on the table. Also, the fact that a significant number work in the health care system also ensures that they are more exposed. The additional fact that they do not have access to test kits, as they cannot pay for them, or hospitals makes the situation worse.

Review of First Research Article

• Laditka and Laditka (2016) state that unemployment, disability and mortality rate are all high for people of color.
• Unemployment has encouraged reduced health care spending among the black American community.
• Payment for health care services mainly using cash as insurance can be expensive.
• Black Americans have more lifestyle diseases and underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
• Media agrees that black Americans are most affected by COVID-19 (Aratani and Rushe, 2020).
• Aratani and Rushe (2020) explain that casual employment among the black community ensures they cannot miss work and stay at home.
• Aratani and Rushe (2020) anticipate that the community is among the most affected with the recent rising unemployment rate caused by COVID-19.
• A significant percentage of workers of color also earn minimum wage.
• Laditka and Laditka (2016) explain that black Americans are low income earners.
• Makes it harder to purchase insurance as they live hand to mouth.
• Lack significant liquidity of assets or emergency funds.
• Do not have significant assets and liquid cash in terms of savings.

The selected article is by James and Sarah Laditka who design a study investigating the rates of unemployment, disability and life expectancy among the different races in the US. Findings show that the minority races, including black Americans, are disadvantaged as compared to Caucasians due to various reasons. Particularly, in terms of unemployment, since the black American community has a higher rate of unemployment, they cannot afford health insurance. They will either pay for such services in cash or not go to the hospital at all.

The premises suggested by the article by James and Sarah Laditka are supported by the chosen media content. For example, Laditka and Laditka (2016) pose that unemployment rate among black Americans is high. They also add that black Americans make the largest percentage of low income earners in the US.

The fact that the black community has less cash at hand also means that they are unable to get the test kits needed for COVIC-19. Additionally, they are unable to save and do not have any form of emergency funds to cushion them from tragedies such as COVID-19.

Review of Second Research Article

• Rosier (2016) states that lack of health care insurance has led to rapid increase of lifestyle diseases among black Americans.
• Most common lifestyle diseases noted are diabetes and hypertension.
• Majority of the affected have a lower socioeconomic status.
• No relationship between management of lifestyle diseases and insurance.
• Media agree that higher rates of asthma, diabetes and heart disease have increased the black community’s chance to get COVIC-19 (Alleyne, 2020).
• Underlying health conditions also make the respiratory condition more fatal.
• Proper management of the underlying conditions not proven an effective way of lowering fatality of the disease.
• Working at the hospital as casual laborers such as cleaners and restaurant tellers.
• Casual laborers not insured by employers.
• Limited formal education makes it harder for the black American casual laborers to understand the importance of staying at home.
• Low rates of testing in the community also a hindrance.

The second article is by Rosier, who looks at management of lifestyle diseases in relation to health insurance. The scholar explains that one of the findings was that black Americans had more lifestyle diseases compared with other races. Additionally, they also did not have health insurance. Whereas they were still aware of the importance of management of their diabetes, they use cash to access medicine and health facilities.

Doctors have stated that people with underlying medical conditions have a higher fatality rate than others. In fact, they are encouraged not to expose themselves at all in order to completely prevent chances of getting the disease. The black American community has high numbers of the mentioned underlying conditions and do not have either extra cash or insurance to get the help they need.

A significant number of casual laborers, who are also part of the essential workers currently working are black American. This puts them at a higher risk of getting the virus. Additionally, many of the laborers are not insured. However, it is critical to note that Medicaid should pay for COVID-19 treatments but hospitals are too full. The fact that many of these casual workers are also not well educated makes it harder for the government to ask them to stay at home as their skills are mainly practical and they cannot work from home.

Conclusion

• COVID-19 affects everyone despite age, race or gender.
• The black American community is affected more in the US.
• The black community is affected more as they make up a significant number of the unemployed population in the US and cannot work from home.
• Lack of insurance and access to health facilities puts the community in danger of getting the virus.
• The black American community is also leading in lifestyle diseases in the US such as asthma and diabetes.
• These underlying medical conditions can cause fatality if a patient gets the coronavirus.
• Lack of insurance or money makes it harder for the community to get required testing and treatment.

References

• Aratani, L., & Rushe, D. (2020). African Americans bear the brunt of Covid-19’s economic impact. The Guardian. Web.
• Alleyne, R. K. (2020). How covid-19 is a perfect storm for black Americans. The Washington Post. Web.
• Laditka, N. J., & Laditka, B. S. (2016). Unemployment, disability and life expectancy in the United States: A life course study. Disability and Health Journal, 9(1), 46-53.
• Rosier, L. (2018). Health Insurance Status and Diabetes Management Practices Among Black Adults in the U.S. [Unpublished Honors Undergraduate Theses]. University of Central Florida.

Introduction

Sustainability is one of the complex concepts as it entails different activities that aim at achieving the wants of the current generation without violating the potential interests of the future generation to meet their needs. Sustainability focuses on the formation of high-quality lives while respecting the role to conserve the available natural resources and protecting the environment.

Some of the activities affiliated to sustainability include accessibility to jobs, fresh water, clean energy, and better resource use without creating problems such as pollutions and unwanted congestions (Bebbington, Unerman, and O’Dwyer 19). Environmental sustainability incorporates the depletion of non-renewable resources, controlled pollution, and effective harvesting of renewable resources. This paper focuses on environmental unsustainability in the African American community while providing remedies on ways to ensure sustainability.

Investing in clean energy

Most power stations located in African-American localities use fossil fuels and coal in the generation of electricity. Consequently, greenhouse gases, which often comprise carbon dioxide and methane, are emitted. These gases are harmful to the environment thus resulting in undesired climate changes. Oil, coal, and gas are nonrenewable sources of energy, and they are easily depleted thus frustrating the energy needs of the generations to come (Noorman and Uiterkamp 106).

Therefore, to counter this problem, the African American community should focus on emphasizing the ultimate need to use clean energy sources. Clean energy refers to electricity from the inclusion of renewable sources. Clean energy is affiliated with negligible instances of pollution and less emission of harmful gases thereby coinciding with the efforts of environmental sustainability. Besides, clean energy is infinite because it originates from renewable sources that entail the solar, water, and wind.

Most African Americans live in areas dominated by power plants that engage in excessive pollution thus causing health conditions such as asthma and heart-related diseases. Besides, the consequences brought by climate change amount to environment-related disasters that could be avoided with clean energy. The adoption of clean energy by the African American will not only result in environmental sustainability, but also a considerable reduction the energy costs (Bebbington, Unerman, and O’Dwyer 99).

By encouraging the use of clean energy in the African American community, new technologies that enable the energy system to attain its desired objective of easy affordability and sustainability are ultimately be achieved. The potentiality of the future generations to acquire and use energy will not be jeopardized because clean energy sources are inexhaustible, and they are used without abusing the environment.

Ensuring better waste management

Since the majority of the African American live in congested areas, they face various environmental challenges due to the high exposure to toxic materials and sewages. The improper disposal of industrial waste is common among the African American community thus violating the dictates of environmental conservation. The inefficient dumping of waste amounts to soil and water contamination thus frustrating the domestic and agricultural needs of the current and future generations (White, Dranke, and Hindle 52).

Besides, the illegal dumping in the African American society poses serious environmental hazards by creating dumps that hinder easy drainage and can eventually result in flooding. Dumps also disrupt the wildlife habitats by hindering their movement to desired destinations. Some of the disposed materials contain compounds that emit toxic gases into the atmosphere with an example of gypsum that releases hydrogen sulfide gas (White, Dranke, and Hindle 67).

Therefore, to remedy the habits of unsustainable waste dumping amongst the African Americans, various waste management measures to promote environmental sustainability can be employed. The recycling of waste provides a means through which natural resources can be replenished thus ensuring a constant supply of such resources to the current as well as the future generations. Moreover, salvaging aids in the conservation of the available energy.

Conservation of energy accrues from the choice to recycle a given item as opposed to manufacturing it. Saving of energy is essential in motivating the efforts that reduce instances of global warming in the future. Furthermore, recycling plays a great role in the prevention of air pollution. Most plastic factories emit harmful smoke into the atmosphere but recycling measures curb this menace (Smith 86).

To ensure environmental sustainability in the African American community, reprocessing of waste is inevitable because the future generations will demand an equal share of energy and a decent environment that is free from destructive effects of improper disposal of waste.

Enhancing easy accessibility and management of water and sanitation

Wastewaters in most African American regions do not undergo the proper treatment after use. This scenario results in environmental hazards due to varying contaminants that are inherent in both domestic and industrial wastewaters. Sanitary wastewaters compromise various environmental impurities originating from the toilet waste and laundry while industrial waste is composed of toxic chemicals and residual metals that are hazardous to the ecosystem (Noorman and Uiterkamp 98).

Wastewaters affect the aquatic life negatively, which results in the declining diversity of specific fish species. Additionally, the land becomes salinized and acidified thus precipitating a drastic reduction in the soil fertility levels. Besides, wastewaters breed air contamination by releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere.

To ensure environmental sustainability in the African American community, various technological advancements, financing mechanisms and partnership should be established to promote wastewater treatment solutions.

Wastewater treatment guarantees clean water to both plant and animals. Fresh water is essential for the sustainability of the aquatic life by providing critical habitats as well as availing a favorable environment where migrating water birds can perch and feed. Clean water will also boost improved recreation and quality life by encouraging users to engage in various activities such as swimming, picnicking, and fishing (White, Dranke, and Hindle 77).

Well-organized wastewater treatment corresponds to the objectives of environmental sustainability that will ensure that the African Americans make the maximum utilization of the water resource while respecting the interests of the future users.

Prevention of air pollution

Different reports have established that the African-Americans are at a high risk of contaminations coming from toxic gases. The poisonous gases originate from traffic and industrial emissions. Due to the poor socio-economic status of some African Americans, rising cases of premature deaths have been witnessed due to air pollutions.

In comparison to their white counterparts, more African Americans reside near power plants and processing industries thereby increasing the risks posed by such environmental hazards. Air pollution is often associated with the depletion of the Ozone layer that is caused by the uncontrolled discharges of chlorofluorocarbons (Moberg, Borggren, and Finnveden 243).

When the amount of the ultraviolet rays reaching the earth is amplified, it results in substantial damage to crops and vegetation thus destroying animal habitats as well as posing threats to daily human activities.

Air pollution disrupts the natural balance thus making the earth’s atmosphere harness more of the sun’s heat hence causing global climate change, which has adverse effects on not only the environment but also other health- related complications to both wildlife and human beings. Moreover, air pollution is responsible for the formation of acid rain, haze, and eutrophication that collectively affect environmental sustainability (Smith 104).

African Americas should uphold the interests of the future environmental users in their endeavors to sustain the environment. Some of the possible ways to curb air pollution in the community comprise energy conservation that demands to switch off the lights and electrical appliances when not in use.

Recycling of plastics, papers, and aluminum materials among others will reduce emissions of toxic gases, thus backing up the strategies that are formulated to ensure environmental conservation (Noorman and Uiterkamp 46). Furthermore, to reduce air pollution, African Americans should adopt the use appliances that are energy efficient, opt for products that attract minimal packaging, emphasize the strict use of canvas bags for shopping, and ensure proper vehicle maintenance because it saves on gasoline and consequently decline in air pollution.

Conclusion

Environmental sustainability is listed as number seven in the millennium development goals. This goal seeks to ensure the availability of safe water and sanitation as well assisting governments to upgrade technology and educational empowerment on the conservation of water resources.

Environmental sustainability entails formulating informed decisions and undertaking actions that are focused on protecting the natural world while laying special emphasis on the ability of the environment to support human life comprehensively (Moberg, Borggren, and Finnveden 240).

African American community has not been in a position to sustain its surroundings due to some inherent environmental challenges. Some of the ways to help the community to sustain its environment successfully include investing in clean energy, the prevention of air pollution, better waste management, and encouraging easy accessibility and management of water and sanitation.

Works Cited

Bebbington, Jan, Jeffrey Unerman, and Brendan O’Dwyer. Sustainability accounting and accountability, London: Routledge, 2014. Print.

Moberg, Åsa, Clara Borggren, and Göran Finnveden. “Books from an environmental perspective—Part 2: e-books as an alternative to paper books.” The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 16.3 (2011): 238-246. Print.

Noorman, Klaas, and Ton Uiterkamp. Green Households: Domestic Consumers, the Environment and Sustainability, London: Routledge, 2014. Print.

Smith, William. Air pollution and forests: interactions between air contaminants and forest ecosystems, New York: Springer Science & Business Media, 2012. Print.

White, Peter, Marina Dranke, and Peter Hindle. Integrated solid waste management: a lifecycle inventory, New York: Springer Science & Business Media, 2012. Print.

What are some of the general depictions of African American (male, female) and African culture in the mass media?

Mass media has, up to recently, depicted the African American people to be less intelligent people who are practically simpletons who may violent tendencies. Trailer trash depictions of their lifestyle and outlook in life were often seen as the reality of these people by the viewers, thus affecting the image of the race across the board. Men were abusive, violent, and criminal by nature while the women were portrayed as abused, long-suffering, lowly educated, almost unemployable individuals. But thanks to top TV show hits like Grey’s Anatomy, 24 (wherein an African American president was portrayed even before the election of Barack Obama), and The Event, African Americans are now being depicted as the equal of the White Americans in every single way. Able to carry out duties as complicated as leading a nation out of a fictional terrorist attack, all the way to firing up that barbecue grill and cooking up a feast.

How do these mass media depictions influence norms, values, beliefs, and language to African Americans?

When the African Americans were being depicted as the “not smart nor intelligent” dark-skinned members of America by the media, African Americans were reacting in two different ways. Some chose to make the negative and derogatory portrayals a reality in their lives. Then we also have the African Americans who chose to struggle to prove to everyone that what they saw on TV was nothing more than a writer’s overactive imagination or propaganda material. So you might say that these negative and derogatory portrayals made them want to become better people and show it off. These days, we have more Black people in college completing degrees, speaking in an educated (non-slang) manner, with the self-confidence to show the media that it is time to retire the typecast roles that have long been assigned to them.

Why is there less mention of people like W.E.B. Du Boi and George Washington Carver and more media mention of other African Americans?

W.E.B. Du Boi and George Washington Carver represent the embodiment of the hardships that the African Americans had to overcome when they were struggling for equality. At the time that they wrote their books and articles, the media of their time found their points of view to be explosive and possible instigators of unrest. So, their work was constantly mentioned by the media of their time as a point of discussion. Over time, the situation of the African Americans began to change politically and socially, thus making their arguments for African American rights moot and academic. That is why their work slowly found itself on the backburner. As the times changed, the problems of the African Americans also evolved, so more prominent African American rights fighters like Rev. Jesse Jackson began to take center stage. These new African American rights fighters know the modern problems of their race and know how to keep themselves media relevant in their continued struggle for equality and rights.

The past three two decades (the 1980s to present) have seen significant shifts in African American’s media representation. The negative and stereotypical images are still present but increasingly being overshadowed by positive ones. Though the representation shift started in the 1960s, this essay will concentrate on the period beginning in the 1980s, which is when the culture gained a significant presence on different media.

The trend in African American representation in media commercials will hereby get investigated. Critics have historically focused on popular culture and the general media but less on product commercials that are media establishments’ lifelines. This approach provides an overview of how individual companies prefer to depict African Americans.

Various mediums have been used to generate positive African American images. Most of these mediums (music, film, books, and many more) observe the persisting negative representation and consequently embark on overshadowing them with positive images. This approach has indeed been successful in achieving success. Product commercials use these media to reach on to African American consumer base. There is however one major difference between commercials and the general media approach: product commercials take the actual African American lifestyle and experiences and broadcast the same in different media.

The advertising companies understand that depicting positive African American images lead to rising demand of products being fronted to them, whereas negative image depiction could lead to declining product demand and rising marketing costs.

Television has especially been used in the depiction of African Americans images. The medium has been most effective in various other processes of improving African American images. For instance, it has Television that has succeeded in transforming the image of African American women from Aunt Jemima in mid 20^th century to Oprah in the 21^st century (Riggs 1992). In recent decades, Television has become a powerful tool of illustrating African American consumerism that companies have been ready to exploit.

The middle class has especially been the target for marketers, who see the improved living standards as ripe markets that need to be supplied with a variety of commodities. Positive representation has therefore been used to attract this class’ attention, often with much success. Independent advertisers have also embarked on exploiting the medium in passing their commercial messages.

The success of marketers in reaching various segments of African American markets arises from studying and getting accurate information and subsequently drafting marketing strategies along those lines. However, extensive use of the middle class has been accused of creating an untrue picture that the cultural group has, as a whole, progressed economically (Bogle 2001b). This is in consideration that a significant portion of African Americans are still trying to make ends meet. Middle-class consumerism, therefore, remains a dream for many despite marketers’ insistence on economic progress that has been made by African Americans. But the advertising companies are not ready to listen to such cries, the reason being that respective plans have been paying off handsomely.

McDonald’s has been a leader in the use of commercials to reach African American consumers, which has been a drastic shift from the traditional approach. Just like other American companies, McDonald’s seeks to exploit the market potential in middle-class African Americans. Its television commercials usually illustrate middle-class families enjoying meals on its outlets. Incorporating this cultural group into its commercials is a result of understanding that depicting a positive image would lead to successful marketing.

Results for this market leader in fast foods have not been disappointing, which explains why competitors have been following suit. Taking such steps in the fast foods’ competitive industry has continued to illustrate the ever-increasing importance of incorporating the country’s diverse cultural groups in individual companies’ target market.

McDonald’s has gone to the extent of adopting African American culture in its television commercials. This is especially illustrated by its ever famous “da-ba-da-baa-I’m-lovin’-it” Jazz jingle (Bogle 2001a). These have resulted in many African Americans associating with McDonald’s commercials and subsequently flock to company outlets. Other than television commercials, the company has been undertaking other aggressive urban marketing targeted to the cultural group.

Other approaches to cultivating loyalty have included funding and participating in neighborhood activities. All these marketing campaigns converge on television commercials that help remind respective target groups of the company products through positive image depiction. This approach has indeed resulted in people slowly developing a positive mental African American picture.

The success achieved by McDonald’s through the depiction of a positive African American image has resulted in many other companies following suit. It is not unique to find regional and even nationwide commercials targeted exclusively at African Americans. As with McDonald’s, other advertising companies are pressured to have a positive representation in order to win the targeted African American target customer base. Companies embarking on this process are also reporting positive feedback as their products become popular among African American clientele. The success provides hope that companies would continue with their positive depiction. They after all understand backtracking on current trends could see respective market share shrinking significantly.

The commercials’ extensive use of the middle class as a representative of African American population is a step in the right direction, though not all have reached this economic class. What is depicted in the commercials is, indeed, an illustration that African American depictions are becoming more realistic. The American society can now see what the rest of the media has not been showing because respective ratings would not be as high. The commercials are further putting pressure on respective mainstream media to embark on developing the attitude of programming and publication of realistic images, failure of which lead to shrinking viewer-ship base. In addition, more companies are being lured to follow into the step of McDonald’s and others that have continued to benefit from positive image depictions.

Owing to consumer power held by African Americans, companies have little choice other than advertising using realistic images. This trend demands that companies embark on following using best practices in showing proper images. In this regard, African Americans could be said to be demanding better representation by the media. It is in fact the beginning of a trend that will see the development of proper images. As just mentioned, consumer power held by this cultural group would continue demanding nothing less. Companies that fail to illustrate positive images would see consumers in this segment moving to competitors, exactly what they have been fighting to control.

This positive representation is destined to be improved in the near future because more competitors are shifting towards this approach. There is a greater possibility of each player improving on the image in order to outdo the other. In addition, individual television stations are most likely to embark on improving their representation of this cultural group in order to attract more ads from companies with a similar approach.

Commercials have therefore become some of the most important tools of improving positive African American images in the media. Their success rises from fact that companies using them are set to benefit immensely from the increased market demand for respective products. Commercials’ success has further originated from improved goodwill from African Americans who feel highly appreciated through realistic representation.

There has been a domino effect of positive representation being picked by several other companies, which has resulted in a proliferation of the same from within industries. All this illustrates the powers of the market in bringing change in an area that has continued to be taken for granted many years after the resumption of civil rights in mid 20^th century. Indeed, what the commercials have achieved overshadows what other attempts of improving the depiction would have attained. Companies have finally embarked on seeing the many benefits that would accrue by just having a realistic representation of African Americans in the media.

There is no doubt that many more companies would follow this route. Unlike in other attempts to improve African American image on the media, this one (of using commercials) is all mutually beneficial. On one hand, is African Americans themselves feel more appreciated by advertising companies and their collaborators. The realistic depiction of their lives is something that has been long overdue. On the other hand are the companies whose products have been gaining market share by the day, McDonald’s for instance. In the words of Cashmore (1997) the overall beneficiary of realistic representation has in this consideration been the American people.

Works Cited

Bogle, Donald. Toms, Mulattoes, Coons, Bucks and Mammies. New York: Continum. 2001a.

Bogle, Donald. Primetime Blues. New York: Farrar,Straus & Giroux, 2001b.

Riggs, Marlon. Color Adjustment Documentary. Cashmore, Ellis. Black Culture Industry. London: Routledge, 1997.