YAAAMS OVERVIEW:
YAAAMS, the grass root media watch group, has been offering well-documented criticism of media since 2005. We work by advocating for greater diversity in the press and by scrutinizing media practices that marginalize African American interest, and dissenting viewpoints. We specialize in using unique methods to evaluate and study the performance of the media.
On Jan 1, 2010 YAAAMS began a major new phase in its history. It created the YAAAMS RESEARCH INSTUTUTE section and set out to significantly expand its research activities.
YAAAMS broadened research agenda will include studies, reports and data of media’s trends and agenda.
YAAAMS MISSION:
Young African-Americans Against Media Stereotypes (YAAAMS) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to scrutinize media coverage for fairness and accuracy. African-Americans depend on the media for information and entertainment-like most people-yet we are ten times more likely to be stereotyped than non-African-Americans.
YAAAMS intends to be an organization that can freely discuss with those African-Americans in the public spotlight how the bad things they do will definitely be covered by the media and may be reported differently than similar activities of famous white counterparts. In working with these African-American public figures, we are not doing so to condone any negative behavior; we acknowledge that individuals are responsible for their own actions.
But we believe the media, as a powerful force, must ensure its coverage-which story it chooses to ignore, which story it chooses to report, how the story is presented-does not mislead and distort the truth either. Accordingly, when appropriate, we also plan to take the media to task for its reporting of African-Americans.
YAAAMS GOALS:
· To rid the media of biases, inaccuracies, and over-publicized and sensationalized stories of African-Americans that at times are not even recognized as such or are poorly explained.
· To encourage a healthy skepticism about African-American media images.
· To force African-Americans to comprehend that negative media images-if accepted as truth subconsciously and never questioned-can and do have the power to lower self-esteem, thereby undermining our full potential.
· To enlighten African-American parents about the effects of negative media images on their children, so they can effectively counteract these influences.
· To encourage African-Americans to voice their opinions and get involved, even if they disagree with us.
· To identify and take to task those media outlets-even those owned or run by African-Americans-that unfairly depict African-Americans.
· To help both the journalists who produce the news and the citizens who consume it develop a better understanding of what the press is delivering, how the media are changing, and what forces are shaping those changes.
YAAAMS TEAM:
· Isaiah Elliott
Co-Founder & President
· Kathy Harper
Director of Internet Services
· Derrick Jackson
Executive Director: Young Americans Against All Media Stereotypes
· Malcolm “Nerdy” Jones
Associate Director, Research
· Kristal “Sister Girl” Moore
Research Associate
· Jesse Caldwell
Research Associate
· Cheryl Murray
Research Associate
· YAAAMS Associates
Field Research Associates
Contact Us
If you have comments or questions about YAAAMS or about our website, please share them with us on the contact page.
Or by email: yaaams@aol.com
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