From Till to Martin, the image of the black man rarely tells the whole truth

“Evidence suggests that children observe things in the media and apply those observations to their view of themselves. They may even imitate the behaviors they watch on the news. In isolation, these negative stereotypes cause young black men to wonder, how can I overcome these conditions, how can I escape my circumstances, and even if I do why bother if I can get shot for just walking down the street? These negative self-images and low expectations can lead to depression, anxiety, poor self esteem, poor academic performance, and even disruptive behaviors like aggression.”

Media and the Black Male Image – BlackMentalHealthNet.com – An online community empowering the Black community by promoting mental health..