Lost ‘Generations’

Regarding the articles about the plight of blacks in the entertainment industry: I am a black woman who was happily employed as a writer on “Generations” until its recent cancellation. I had the opportunity to work on a show that not only portrayed blacks in a positive manner, interacting with whites and dealing with problems that are universal in them, but also provided jobs, both behind and in front of the camera, for blacks. You would think organizations such as the NAACP would applaud and support an endeavor such as ours. You would be wrong.

An appeal was made to the NAACP to help save the show. There was a press announcement regarding a national letter-writing campaign spearheaded by that organization. We waited for the letters to inundate NBC executives. We’re still waiting.

“Generations” could have used the support. That might have made the difference. Instead, we hear of more panels, more symposiums, bemoaning the plight of blacks in the industry. My question is: Were they so shortsighted and so busy being angry that they didn’t notice that a show already existed that addressed many of their concerns?

Now, because we work at the mercy of something called the Nielsens, “Generations” has been canceled. And I seriously doubt whether anything this progressive will ever be seen again because the powers-that-be can shrug their shoulders and say, “America isn’t interested in seeing black people portrayed simply as human beings. America doesn’t want to see a fully integrated show. We tried it. It didn’t work.”

As a black woman, I am appalled.

MICHELE VAL JEAN, Studio City