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Representationand Ethnicity
Representationand Ethnicity
Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
Ethnicity, like sex, is a set of genetically defined, biological characteristics. However, like gender, it is also a set of culturally defined characteristics. Representation of race in the media can consist of the same sort of rigid stereotypes that constitute gender portrayal. However, stereotyping of race is seen as more harmful than stereotyping of gender, as media representation may constitute the only experience of contact with a particular ethnic group that an audience (particularly an audience of children) may have.
Ethnicity, like sex, is a set of genetically defined, biological characteristics. However, like gender, it is also a set of culturally defined characteristics. Representation of race in the media can consist of the same sort of rigid stereotypes that constitute gender portrayal. However, stereotyping of race is seen as more harmful than stereotyping of gender, as media representation may constitute the only experience of contact with a particular ethnic group that an audience (particularly an audience of children) may have.
Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
Racial stereotypes are often based on social myth, perpetuated down the ages. Thus, the media depiction of, say, Native American Indians, might provide a child with their only experience of Native American Indian culture and characters, and may provide that child with a set of narrow prejudices which will not be challenged elsewhere within their experience.
Racial stereotypes are often based on social myth, perpetuated down the ages. Thus, the media depiction of, say, Native American Indians, might provide a child with their only experience of Native American Indian culture and characters, and may provide that child with a set of narrow prejudices which will not be challenged elsewhere within their experience.
Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
Most work on Race & The Media has concentrated on the representation of black men and women. This has partly been because there is a strong African-American counter-culture which provides viable alternative role models and demands that they are represented.
Most work on Race & The Media has concentrated on the representation of black men and women. This has partly been because there is a strong African-American counter-culture which provides viable alternative role models and demands that they are represented.
Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
In recent years, the success of actors such as Denzel Washington, Whoopi Goldberg, Laurence Fishburne and Morgan Freeman in a diversity of roles has meant that black characters in movies and on TV are no longer 'stock' types.
In recent years, the success of actors such as Denzel Washington, Whoopi Goldberg, Laurence Fishburne and Morgan Freeman in a diversity of roles has meant that black characters in movies and on TV are no longer 'stock' types.
Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
However, there are many negative representations of black people, portrayals which seem deliberately designed to inflame the fear and hatred of other cultures - how positive a representation is the archetypal African-American gangster?
However, there are many negative representations of black people, portrayals which seem deliberately designed to inflame the fear and hatred of other cultures - how positive a representation is the archetypal African-American gangster?
Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of EthnicityAttention is now being paid to the representation of other ethnic groups, notably Asian Americans and Latinos, who represent a much larger proportion of the US population than their TV coverage would suggest. Things are changing - on the one hand the success of John Woo and Ang Lee in Hollywood is pushing the boundaries back for Asian Americans, and the Latin Music Explosion of 1999 has led to much wider acceptance of Latino performers.
Attention is now being paid to the representation of other ethnic groups, notably Asian Americans and Latinos, who represent a much larger proportion of the US population than their TV coverage would suggest. Things are changing - on the one hand the success of John Woo and Ang Lee in Hollywood is pushing the boundaries back for Asian Americans, and the Latin Music Explosion of 1999 has led to much wider acceptance of Latino performers.
Common Representation of Ethnicity
Common Representation of Ethnicity
African decent- Gangster- “Token black guy’’- Impoverished- Criminal- Victim- Hero
African decent- Gangster- “Token black guy’’- Impoverished- Criminal- Victim- Hero
Common Representations of Ethnicity
Common Representations of Ethnicity
Asian decent• Intelligent• Martial artist• Obsessed with electronics• Quirky or weak• Lack emotion• Women can be seen as
ditzy in some cases
Asian decent• Intelligent• Martial artist• Obsessed with electronics• Quirky or weak• Lack emotion• Women can be seen as
ditzy in some cases
Common Representations of Ethnicity
Common Representations of Ethnicity
Latino decent• Ugly• Uneducated• Silly/not taken seriously• Illegal aliens• Partiers• Involved in drugs
(dealing/taking)
• Sex symbols (Antonio Banderez, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek).
Latino decent• Ugly• Uneducated• Silly/not taken seriously• Illegal aliens• Partiers• Involved in drugs
(dealing/taking)
• Sex symbols (Antonio Banderez, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek).
Common Representations of Ethnicity
Common Representations of EthnicityMiddle Eastern (Arabic) decent• Terrorists/violent• Very religious• Physically strong• Strict/stern/not a push over• Serious• Victims• Villains/rarely seen as heroes
Middle Eastern (Arabic) decent• Terrorists/violent• Very religious• Physically strong• Strict/stern/not a push over• Serious• Victims• Villains/rarely seen as heroes
Common Representations of Ethnicity
Common Representations of Ethnicity
White British/American• Powerful:
physical/intellectual• Often the hero• Serial killer• In charge (dominant race)• Lead role
White British/American• Powerful:
physical/intellectual• Often the hero• Serial killer• In charge (dominant race)• Lead role
Useful termsUseful terms
• Cultural differences• Immigrant• Stereotypical workplace e.g.
Indian corner shop• Racism• Community
• Cultural differences• Immigrant• Stereotypical workplace e.g.
Indian corner shop• Racism• Community
• Integrated, integration• Multi cultural• Music• Subculture• Inequality• Accent, dialect
Bradford RiotsBradford Riots
• http://youtu.be/lJYBX64PdV8• Watch the opening 5 minutes of “Bradford Riots” 4
times. Remember not to make notes on the first viewing but you may on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th viewings.
• After viewing make a note on what the clip has to say about ethnicity. Is it being represented in a positive or negative way? Are there stereotypical or racist representations/attitudes in the clip?
