INTRODUCTION We are a decade into the 21st century, and the United States is still plagued by the prejudice, oppression, and discrimination that has dominated since its founding. Despite advances in technology and education, it remains an archaic practice of communication and interpersonal relationships. In fact, the prejudice, oppression, and discrimination practiced today are far worse than in years past due to advances in technology and education. People have learned to disguise their notions with plausible excuses, infusing these ideals into news, films, music, and publications. These negative ideas fester as a wound that serves as a catalyst for injustices perpetuated against diverse members of the United States culture. TELEVISION Never before has society been so “connected” and overloaded with information. At any time of day you have access to what's happening in the United States or on the other side of the world. There are six major media conglomerates in the United States (General Electric, Walt Disney, News Corp., TimeWarner, VIACOM, and CBS) that own more than 90% of television and radio broadcasts and programs; entertainment film studios; publishing companies, integrated telecommunications; and online holdings, thus controlling most of the information we receive. (Free Press Action Fund) According to Nielsen, the average American spends 20% of their day watching television and nearly a third of their time online. (The Nielsen Company) (The Nielsen Company, 2010) Voluntary or involuntary, many of the messages are an extension of hatred and the desire for sameness. Television is by far one of the most influential forms of media due to its availability and combi...... middle of paper......nership/chart/mainKrajicek, D. (n.d.). America's Missing: 2,300 per day. Retrieved January 31, 2012, from trutv.com: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/americas_missing/2.htmlOsunsami, S. (2012, January 18). Get more people to care about missing black women. Retrieved January 31, 2012, from abcnews.go.com: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/01/getting-more-to-care-about-missing-black-women/The Nielsen Company. (n.d.). Television measurement. Retrieved February 5, 2012, from nielsen.com: http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/measurement/television-measurement.htmlThe Nielsen Company. (2010, August 2). What Americans do online: Social media and gaming dominate activity. Retrieved January 20, 2012, from blog.nielsen.com: http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/what-americans-do-online-social-media-and-games-dominate-activity/