Wanted: More real, nuanced, multidimensional Black characters on big and small screens. That’s among the findings in a new study entitled “Bridging the Gap: The Path to More Authentic Portrayals of Black Adults in Movies and TV.”

The national survey of 1,801 Black adults aged 18 and over was conducted by AARP, the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to people 50 and older.

Some of the results may not be surprising if you’re among the Black adults who watch more than 46 hours of television per week as the study suggests.

Across the age groups, the majority of those surveyed believe it is important to show actors of different generations together on-screen. It’s not only the aunties and uncs who want broader age representation, as 87 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds also say it is important to see older actors in today’s television shows and movies. Researchers believe that this points to the wide appeal of authentic multigenerational storytelling.

Nearly all respondents (95 percent) said seeing better representation of Black women age 50-plus on-screen was important. Older Black women are viewed as having significant influence on how aging is portrayed in the media. Researchers posit that this places older Black female characters in a unique position to amplify the cultural leadership role society recognizes, while helping to redefine perceptions of aging. (I can’t recall a recent show with an older Black woman as the center of the story, can you?) Only about a quarter of the viewing audience believe today’s portrayal of sisters are accurate.

The study also revealed that many feel that storylines around the themes of friendship and romance are sadly MIA, with nearly half of respondents saying they would like to see more of those. Gen Z especially seems to feel left out of stories involving family dynamics.

Black audiences represent approximately $2 trillion in buying power, according to Nielsen. This makes our community one of the entertainment industry’s most influential consumer segments.

“Black audiences are telling us clearly what they want to see, and there’s a real opportunity for studios and creators to meet this moment,” said AARP CEO Myechia Minter-Jordan, M.D., M.B.A. “Our research findings point to an audience that is deeply engaged and ready for stories that reflect the full range of their lived experiences. Expanding the range of stories depicted on screen can create stronger connections with viewers while helping the industry reach a broader spectrum of moviegoers.”

The AARP study was released at the 24^th staging of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, which will run through August 15. The popular event in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, celebrates Black excellence in storytelling with film screenings, panel discussions and community activities.

Author: Grace White

Read the original article on Essence.