Actor and producer Tim Reid visited Drexel recently and spoke at an event sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Culture and Communications. Reid is a prolific actor who has appeared in television shows such as WKRP in Cincinnati, Simon & Simon, Snoops, Amen and, most recently, Sister, Sister.

Reid held a lecture for a mass media and communications class earlier that day to discuss how the media shape society and popular opinions. He explained that only five huge corporations control most of the media industry that is seen around the world, a number that is far less than the 50 prominent corporations in 1983. Reid used examples of media pioneers such as Oscar Micheaux and Noble M. Johnson to show that, despite the hardships of the business, individuals can make a huge impact on the media. Reid confided, however, that he sees less and less motivated people coming into the business today.

"The problem with your generation is you guys lack passion," Reid said. "What’s your message? What’s your propaganda? You let the media create your world."

Later that night, Reid held a lecture in the Ruth Auditorium of Nesbitt Hall. After a small reception, he showed an episode from his television series, Frank’s Place. The show premiered in the 1980s but, unfortunately, was canceled after one season. However, the show won three of the nine Emmy awards that it was nominated for, and Reid received a great deal of praise from television critics. The show, according to Reid, was different from most things on television, and most viewers were not sure how to take it.

"When we don’t know something, we fear it, run away, attack or kill it," Reid said. "But the more you know of a culture, the less you fear it."

The concept for Frank’s Place came from Reid’s love of African-American history and culture. He realized that he needed to do more with his career than play the small role of the 2nd cop on a sitcom, and wanted his propaganda on television. Reid wanted to have African-American culture portrayed realistically, and decided to set his show in New Orleans. He and Screenwriter Hugh Wilson first went to New Orleans to soak up the culture to ground the show in reality. Despite the show’s excellent reviews, it was cancelled two days before filming began for the second season.

Reid returned to the theme of propaganda during his lecture, and how it can be used to empower a group of people.

"You have to have propaganda to survive," Reid said. "Mine is enriching my culture and the cultural world."

Reid is currently working on historical documentaries targeted to an African-American audience. He is working on these projects because he feels that the African-American community is destroying itself from the inside, and hopes to project a positive message about the culture.

"If you love your culture you will protect it."

Reid repeatedly stated his position that younger generations fail to understand the effects of history on today’s society, and are in danger of repeating past mistakes. He urged the audience to seek out sources of inspiration and to use them to create positive change.

"It’s not about saving," Reid said. "It’s about provoking and inspiring. You need to inspire just one person to make a difference."

Reid, who grew up in the segregated south, continues to inspire and fight for the youth of his culture. At 62 years old, Reid has survived cancer and near-bankruptcy; however, he still is as driven as ever. Drexel is one of the many schools that he visits as he tries to teach and reach out to the culture he so desperately wants to preserve.