The Importance of African Americans in Animation Today' Society
At present time the question of racial inequality remains the subject of wide discussion and it is necessary to examine the importance of African Americans in animation modern society in the United States.
Nowadays there are approximately thirteen percent of African Americans of total U.S. population and one third from them are children. As far as I am concerned, many modern cartoons, which are broadcasted on television or in the cinema, can have a negative effect on the development of a child and form the addiction to aggression or dependence. But even if parents have a great confidence that the cartoon will not bring any psychological problems, it is necessary to be aware of the child's understanding of what is happening. Kids do not ask older generation to explain them unintelligible episodes, they attempt to analyze all facts on their own. Therefore, they can draw an inappropriate conclusions.
The beginning of animation in film industry was at the time of racism. As a result there were no African American characters from the very outset. Certainly, scriptwriters and producers did not want to intensify the questions of inequality between U.S. people.
In the course of time the problem of children's conception, mostly African American children, of the situation in the society appears. From my personal point of view, while kids watch animated cartoons, they receive important information about the life: the comprehension of right and wrong, love and hatred and other. Children try to identify themselves in heroes of animations and they can find different types of their idols there. Consequently, it is important to introduce main characters positively. But African American kids could not have a chance to observe the heroes of African American descend earlier.
One of the first African American cartoons was "The Princess and the Frog", which was created by Walt Disney Animation Studios and was based on the novel by E. D. Baker. The main character of the animated film became Tiana, 19 year old waitress from New Orleans. She dreams about a successful restaurant business. Tia is an attractive and independent African American, stubborn and hardworking, but also kind and always ready to help a friend. I deem, that such vivid characters must be brought to young viewers.
African Americans in animation have to play a key role in the society in the future, because they can help to provide an explanation for children, how to behave with other ethnic groups. On the other hand, such animated movies can help African American children to dream about fairy life. Unfortunately, there are a lot of stereotypes in animations and films, so the cartoons, like "The Princess and the Frog", should alter and eliminate them.
To sum up I would like to point out that the appearance of African Americans characters in contemporary animation has to exert a positive influence on modern children. New trend has to present the equality between different races and help …
