Season one's (2005) cast of 'Grey's Anatomy,' photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Dr. Ralina Joseph on Finding Diversity on Television

Jamala Henderson
08/14/2009

In the 1950s, the portrayal of blacks in the comedy show "Amos and Andy" infuriated the NAACP. They took CBS to court to get it yanked off the air. When the TV industry unveiled its fall season in 1999, the NAACP declared it a white out. Since then, NAACP has done careful studies on the diversity represented on television. The findings show the TV industry has made some strides but there's still more to be done.

Assistant Professor Dr. Ralina Joseph agrees. She teaches about race and gender in contemporary media at the University of Washington. Dr. Joseph has trouble finding smart, non–stereotypical representations of diversity on television. She spoke with KUOW's Jamala Henderson about what she finds in three shows with diverse casts that she enjoys watching.

The first TV show Ralina chose is a local favorite for many Seattleites, "Grey's Anatomy."