Ethnic Diversity on TV and the White House

The SF Chronicle on Dec. 3rd published an article about the representation of Black people in TV series.

In these modern times when we may at times congratulate our society for the advances in ethnic equalities, it is important to remember that it is 2008 and not 1968 or indeed 1798! That it took us until 2008 to elect a non-white person to the white house is something to be amazed at and also appreciative of. And what of gender?

BTW, why is the white house called the "white house"?

In the local newspaper, The Mayo News, where I grew up in the West of Ireland the editorial cartoon in the edition after the election was interesting. It showed Barack Obama on the White House lawn removing the sign that read "White House" and the caption was something to the effect of "now for the first change."
Does anyone have more input on why we might not change the name of the white house to the American House, the US House, the House of Equality or the Colorless House?

In the Chronicle article, Greg Braxton says that black people are not represented on ABC, NBC, CBS or FOX on an equal level with white people. Any black people in Network shows are in supporting or minor roles, he says. He goes on to say that ratings are to blame for the lack of minority casts/characters according to "CBS' chief of diversity."

Interesting throw-back in these times of feel-good about Obama. The reality may be that this is not a throw-back, rather it is the present. Progress happens and it happens slowly.

Let's keep ourselves aware that our media is not making everyone equal yet. Let's be aware that there is much more to do. Let's be aware when watching and listening to entertainment and news of how our society is shown/not shown on the TV/Internet etc.

Let us be skeptical.