Who’s your hero?
Teens debate the lack of positive black role models.
| Influential black people in Britain tend to shy away from the media, so are often unknown to young people. |
Black teenagers in Britain today have a hard time. We're fed up with being portrayed as petty thieves, vandals and troublemakers. The vast majority of us have just the same aspirations as any other young person.
So where does this damaging image come from? Is it the media? Are there enough black role models for us to look up to?
There are plenty of black footballers and hip-hop artists. But where are the top black politicians, lawyers and scientists in this country?
'Black kids need someone to look up to' says BBC TV Football Reporter, Garth Crooks. 'Role models give people inspiration.'
'But the only role models available to young people are hip hop artists and flamboyant movie stars,' argues 18 year old Tinu Adeniji-Adele.
Some, like Tinu, believe that extravagant black musicians Dre, Eve and others like them do not fit the definition of good role models. 'They seem to portray a violent, unobtainable lifestyle, an image that many young black people try to emulate,' she claims.
Others, like Alisha Fuller, 15, disagree. She reckons these artists can be seen as positive influences.
Result
'I think that its fine for people to look to music for inspiration. They're always in the media and very interesting issues are brought out as a result of their music'
Fifteen year-old Della Hicks-Wilson doesn't think black role models are in short supply. 'There are loads of very inspirational black people,' she insists.
'There are the likes of Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks who, although dead, still have a major influence on people today. My current role models include Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelo. They offer inspiration to black youth '
But all three agree that when it comes to finding inspiration in our own country, we often draw blanks.
'It's not that they don't exist. It's just that we're not exposed to them,' says Alisha. 'Although people look to their family for guidance, there should be a wider, more accessible group of black role models in Britain.'
Akosua Bonsu, 15, agrees. 'Constantly bombarded with school and other social pressures, young people need a source of inspiration. But in my opinion influential black people in Britain tend to shy away from the media, so are often unknown to young people.'
Tinu Adeniji-Adele reinforces the point. 'The few that are in the public eye somehow seem unwilling to make a point of encouraging black youth to strive for excellence.'
So could the reason be that many professions, such as law or politics, seem largely inaccessible to black young people?
When asked what they thought of Colin Powell, US Secretary of State for Defence and arguably one of the most important black people in the world, many young people said they'd never heard of him. The problem's not that they were stupid or ignorant. It's simply that black young people in this country don't get to hear much about such an important role model.
There are a lot of professionals who fail to make it into the news - the likes of doctors, lawyers and writers, who aren't deemed to be 'newsworthy', and therefore are not visible to young people.
'The average young person is more likely to be a doctor than a pop star. So it is awful that professionals are so under-represented in the media,' says Alisha.
Garth Crooks reckons a high profile isn't a priority. 'Many black professionals have attained excellence in their own field. The very fact that they don't have such a high profile as, say, David Beckham, I don't think is important. I think what's vital is that their community embraces them and places importance on what they've achieved.'
Pele
Garth lists his own role models as being two of the best footballers the world has ever seen - Pele and Eusebio. 'Its those people we admire that help us understand what is involved to be a success.'
Like Garth, Onome Edgeworth,12, puts his own black role models well and truly on the football pitch.
'I admire Henry for his astonishing skills and his lightning pace, Viera for his ability as an all round player and Lauren for his smartness on the pitch,' he says.
'What more can you ask? Un, deux, trois French-speaking players. All black and terribly skilful. And they all play for my favourite team, Arsenal.'
It's great that there are black footballers who provide inspiration to young people like Onome. But is that enough to improve the image of black youngsters in today's society?
Maybe what's needed is an increase of black people in other professions? And that, according to Akosua Bonsu, needs to be properly reported in the media.
'There are a bunch of really good black role models out there. You just have to search around to find them.
'Surely black children deserve more positive and visible role models in all walks of life? Wouldn't this increase the aspirations of the black youth of today?'
About the team
This article was produced by the Children's Express London bureau. It was published as part of Teen Talk, the Children's Express page in New Nation.
