This study is interesting but should not be surprising. This phenomenon was first noticed in the 1960s when many black Americans got their first glimpses into how white American lived and how they were systemically deprived not only of legal rights but also of economic opportunity. TV had a major influence on raising awareness in the black community. It could be seen again as East Germans gained access to West German TV in the years before 1989.

And also it has had a negative effect in the black community also. Those same images of how affluent white Americans lived has also been the catalyst for the materalistic, "bling-bling" mentality that took over the hip-hop music scene in the 90's. It also warped a generation of young black females into unrealistic expectations of love and relationships, which in turn led to a systematic destruction of black male-female relationships, as black women sought to "emulate" some the lifestyles of their white female counterparts. No longer was the working-class black man viewed as a potential mate/husband, but the only the high-income earning jet-set male was percieved as the "ideal" mate. One could also argue that TV had a hand in perpetuating some of the negative stereotypes that have plagued many inner-city black youths over the last 20-30 years. The "hip-hop culture of violence" that people talk about in the media nowdays had its origins in violent TV programming spoon-fed to them over the years. To sit up here on this web site and compare the African-American TV experience to what's going on in Indian society is complete glossy-eyed liberal-bias bunk.