Genesis Elijah Speaks On...Top Boy

The guy who can't keep his opinion to himself speaks on Channel 4's new "Urban" drama 'Top Boy'

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Genesis Elijah
• Speaks On
• Top Boy
• Channel 4
• Ashley Walters
• Kano
• Scorcher
• Sway
• Racism
• Drugs
• Gnags
• Guns
• Violence
• Hackney
• London
• Sway DaSafo

[omdway]

Good topic man, Ima have a look at the show myself. Nevertheless, i think the wider point that you touched on is the frequency of the negative portrayal of black individuals. In a majority of media if there is a black character he or she is the one with issues or has negative attributes. Heck even in the sci-fi movies the black guy always dies . LOL See 'Predators 2009' But on a serious note i don't object to this show off the bat it's just we need some balance in the way we are portrayed. PEACE

[Snoopy187brap]

Watched it today pretty dope

[PolitricksOnline]

I think sooner or later we're going to have to reach a stage where we evolve and take people as people. Putting people in boxes - whether race or religion - might well be done with good intentions but in the long run we need to stop doing it.

Hopefully our grandchildren live in a world where these issues aren't relevant. Focus on race and religion keeps the underclass divided and conquered, we have to drop this emphasis to truly move forward as humans

[PolitricksOnline]

It's also somewhat dangerous to keep "highlighting" a perceived problem because your warning or concern can become reality. Take alcohol for example, British people act up on alcohol not because we're inherently cunts, but because we're told since children that alcohol makes you violent and makes you a dickhead - So people get drunk and subconsciously think they have excuse. Visit Asia, they get drunk and are happy and nice as larry.

Even analysis can have negative effects.

[PolitricksOnline]

I don't believe there's a lack of role models for black children or "youths", the problem if anything is that the role models(this is all subjective anyway so it's naturally a tricky subject) who have existed aren't spoken about or even known.

For me role models are the ultimate cop out though. The only role models a child needs are parents, teachers and an all round sense of community. A lack of role models if anything is the effect of a problem, not the cause.

[PolitricksOnline]

You're right Genesis. As a white male I tried to think of white role models myself when the subject of lack of black role models was brought up, really, I couldn't think of any. The ones I could think of, for my personally, would probably be rejected as Communists or something (thinking like Chomsky, Howard Zinn etc). I suppose there are many great scientists and theologians who are white, but at the same time there's also many ground breaking black scientists and theologians.

[realmofchaos100]

the way u gotta look at is are they reflecting you as a person?? forget skin color, we are our own person im white an no white person on t.v. reflects who i am, it's just t.v.

[jaiharman1]

You're not the minority...... You fill up most of my CD collection. I'd call that the majority ^___^

[solreavir]

do we need more bleakness about ourselves. REAllY? No positive outcome? what is the real messege that theres no way out ? but start learning to......rap or shoot hoops ..football.... were trapped son...trapped. LOL

[solreavir]

your right about the censorship and if it's coonery it's coonery and we need to recognise it for what it is!

[solreavir]

Good points but the whole situation about young blacks in this situation is offensive nevermind whether it's the truth. our situation for our young is offensive white people dont see this as acting they see this as us! wheres the balance? just cos we recognise the characters were supposed to be pleased just cos blacks are on tv portraying negative stereo types? If you wanna see how it's done watch the wire or fresh!

[nevascared123]

Its actually set in hackney but filmed in south london.