Minorities.

Think of the Cleaver family: A good wholesome family that is surrounded by positivity and laughter. How about the Clampett's? Still a great tight knit family that, even if misunderstood, has great moral and family values. How about we take a look at "I Dream of Jeannie"! Great comedic timing and such a great cast that tugs at your heartstrings with love and laughter. Just like many shows today, what is something that is missing from those classic iconic Television shows? Just a moment, time for you to think about it. No, it isn't sexuality that is missing or more risque gags. It's one word: Minorities.

Television has been entertaining the mind's of all ages, young and old, since *insert date here*. Many Television shows have brought families closer together, cause emotional sadness, mysterious plots, and cliffhangers to family settings. With so many great role models to choose from, children grew up around amazing heroes on the small screen. How many of those heroes are not Caucasian?

Segregation. Requiring different colors to be treated as if they are diseased and disgusting was very popular around the time of Television shows being developed, often Whites were seen on the small screen as great families and role models for everyone to look up to. Minorities were often shafted from ever being on the small screen for viewers. Casting agencies, along with viewers seem uninterested in diversity with their programming. With segregation around all around the United States, what would make Television so different?

Even if minorities were exposed on Television shows, it was never in a positive manner. Either the character was obnoxious, scary, or just plain idiotic. Stereotypes were always the way minorities were represented. Stereotypes in the early Television shows often depicted minorities as unintelligent as possible. Stereotypes seemed to be the only way minorities were shown on Television programming. From the poor, uneducated African American man causing violence or plain stupidity, to an Asian man that cannot understand you, has a thick accent, and always is confused, stereotypes were the only way minorities were allowed to be on Television. With so much racism around on the streets of the country, what would make Television so different?

So many changes to our country has happened since segregation and racial discrimination of the 50's and 60's, changes have taken place on our Television programming as well. Minorities are now shown more often than ever before on Television. One of the first inspirational African American families showed up on Television in a program called "The Cosby Show". This show took a great risk by having a positive look on a wealthy, educated, non violent, African American family. This program showed a whole new light on minorities. This family had money, education, and even better, they had moral values and loved each other. This opened the door for so much for opportunities for minorities in Television.

Many Television programming has gone by and many Television families have gone by. The year is now 2010. What Television shows can you think of, where minorities are the main characters and Caucasians are the background characters. "Everybody Hates Chris", "The Cleveland Show"? Can't really think of any more, to be honest. Even if you could, how many of those shows would the characters be non stereotypical?

How many shows can you think of that have an Asian or Latino as the main character? Or how about an Indian or Native American? How many Television shows can you think of that even have ANY reoccurring character that represents a minority in a positive light instead of making them an idiotic foreigner, an asshole, or just plain up violent?

Many Television shows, nowadays, use stereotypes more than ever! Muslims owning gas stations, Asians being stingy with money, Latinos being dirty, Asians with small genitalia, Indians treating women terribly, what about that African American guy robbing people and shooting everybody in site with his gun, surrounded by his gang? These stereotypes, and more, show up so much in Television programming. This type of racial profiling leaves young children and audiences with stereotypical judgment and opinions that they could base all minorities by what they see on Television.