Racism and discrimination continue to be a widespread problem in American society. Although minorities have made great strides toward autonomy and equality, images in the media, particularly on television, continue to misrepresent and manipulate public opinion of blacks. It is no longer an overt practice supported by law and celebrated with hangings and beatings, but is instead a perceived subtle practice in the entertainment and media industries. Whether it's appearing in denigrating roles or being negatively portrayed on TV news, Black people continue to be victims of an industry that relies on old ideas to appeal to the majority. The vicious cycle of unconscious media racism continues to be harmful not only to white consumers, who base what they know about blacks on what is depicted on television, but also to black consumers, who grow up with a false sense of identity . In The Marrow of Tradition, author Charles W. Chesnutt illustrates examples that point to the thoughts whites had and used against blacks, which are still very prevalent in contemporary public opinion and media. Chesnutt writes, “It confines the negro to that inferior condition for which nature had evidently designed him (Chesnutt, 533).” While great strides have been made toward equality, the media, in many cases, continues to project blacks as inferior to whites through examples observed in television shows, music videos, films, and news reports. According to Poverty & Prejudice: Media and Race, co-written by Yurii Horton, Raagen Price, and Eric Brown, the media sets the tone for the morals, values, and images of our culture. Many white people in American society, some of whom have never encountered… the paper model in which the entertainment and media industry portrays black people, must change. Despite the progress that Black people have worked towards since the days of slavery, society continues to succumb to the monetary benefits that come from the production of self-deprecating entertainment and media. It is not only up to the directors, editors, producers and writers to establish this change, but it should also be the demand of the people, or consumers. If the image of blacks in the media improves, the prospects within the community will also improve. Not only will positive goals and outcomes become more realistic for blacks if the media stops their practice of equating blacks with aggression, lawlessness, and violence, but greater good for whites will also result, which would be represented by true autonomy and equality. in American society.