Yolanda Johnson
Age: 50 and up
Main source of information: Television, Radio and Social Media
Television outlet mostly consumed: CBS and ABC
An assistant track coach at Michigan State University, Yolando Johnson, is an avid CBS and ABC news consumer and believes news is “supposed” to be information that helps her community.
“I think the news can be very helpful, but it seems like the news lately has been the opposite of helpful. It has taken people’s views and distorted them,” she said.
Personally, Johnson said she enjoyed MSNBC, but her father played it so much, she grew tired of listening to it.
“ABC and CBS are the most middle ground to me, and they use interviewees from both sides. MSNBC, I just got tired of it because my dad watches it all the time,” she said laughing.
When diving into the mission of this project, how Black women feel they are depicted in television news, Johnson said she has seen effort to improve the accuracy of Black women coverage.
“I think Black women are shown in a better light than they have been in the past. I feel like nowadays they have very intelligent women. They don’t just pick someone with a bonnet on,” she said.
And she wanted me to add that she has nothing against bonnets. She too wears one. However, the news media uses Black women with bonnets to reinforce stereotypes.
“They bypass a lot of people. The news intentionally picks certain interviewees to make us, Black people, look a certain way and stereotype us,” she said.
Johnson said representation is crucial for future generations. Having people to look up to is important for the youth because it increases self-esteem for marginalized groups.
This exposure through media representation reduces stereotypes and helps minority groups feel seen.
“Any representation of older Black women being seen by younger Black women is going to be a positive. Especially when seen in a good light,” she said.
Johnson said she believes education is a great way to start attacking this implicit bias.
“Education is key to fixing this. People see Black women in these high positions, you will have more kids wanting to succeed and wanting to be in a better place. It gives them an opportunity and encourages them. We need them to make it to the finish line,” she added.
Johnson’s statement:
“As a Black woman I see progress in television news.”
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