17 DECEMBER 2018 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS Surviving Cancer and Celebrating 70+ Jimmy Lee McCowan (Cousin of Body of Christ News Founder and Publisher, Randy McCownan) is Celebrating 70+ years of life after surviving a battle with cancer. own standards of beauty.” Al-Mansour elaborated further that Black beauty standards today are those of whites and not our own, thinking of beauty only in terms of Halle Berry or Lena Horne because they look more white than most Blacks, according to white standards of beauty! Al-Mansour acknowledged that Blacks have tried to rid themselves of white standards of beauty, citing that during the 1960s Blacks were involved with the “Black is Beautiful” syndrome but had no media to sustain the momentum. Says Al-Mansour, “For every one time a Black person said “Black is Beautiful,” the media said at least 100 times – ‘white is more beautiful.’ In time, this psychological warfare suppressed and emasculated the Black movement.” When Blacks turn on BET, we do not need to see Black people only sing- ing and dancing, and ministers who never mention high achieving Blacks. The media, according to Al-Mansour is also responsible for the racist atti- tudes that immigrants adopt towards Blacks once they come to America. American media portrays Blacks as only good for sports, entertainment, rap and style, but not to be trusted, socially accepted or a good strategic business partner. Any day, on any channel in America, you will find Blacks either in news stories or mov- ies, depicted as drug-addicted, rob- bers, violent, not interested in schools and/or alcoholics. This creates the stereotypes that we are non-produc- tive and not deserving of respect, which in turn fosters hostilities and hatred. Solutions: Al-Mansour realistically admits that the lack of Black pride and self-respect is a very complex issue, requiring commitment and enlightenment in order to combat the lingering evils of slavery in the minds of many Blacks. However, each Black American can play a significant role in combating this problem by simply respecting one another. Blacks in leadership roles in the community (and outside the com- munity) can begin not only to produce positive and strong role models, but to promote the achievements of all people in our communities involved in posi- tive action. Black publications and Black mass media need to promote successful Black people. Goals must be established and accomplishments applauded along the way. Churches need to recognize and encourage young people who are excelling and building up the community. Equally as important, Black pro- gramming such as BET must begin to promote successful Blacks and young Black children who are excelling. BET must begin to be avenues of advoca- cy, encouraging and supporting Black analysts, educators, businessmen and women, community servants, and medical personnel. "When “lacks turn on BET, we do not need to see Black people only singing and dancing and ministers who never mention high achieving Blacks.” For every one time a Black person said ‘Black is beautiful,’ the media said at least 100 times – ‘white is more beautiful.’ In time, this psychological warfare suppressed and emasculated the Black movement. TELEVISION ... continued from page 7