Race
Race, 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. 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. The need for a more accurate portrayal of the diversity of different races is a priority for political agendas, but, as ever, it seems as though it will take a while for political thinking to filter through to programme and film-making.
- A report on Race & The Media in the US, lengthy, but worth a read
- The Fantasy of Racial Difference in Star Trek - Is it racist to call a Klingon violent? A sideways look at race in space.
- Whitewashing of Primetime TV - An overview of the different races (ie not many, not much) represented in prime US TV shows
- A shorter overview of the proportions of Race Representation in the US Media
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. 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. Some of the time. 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 gangsta? Yet these are representations coming from within black culture itself...
- Black boys: casualties of our generation?
- Stop Whining About the Media - is black representation now 'proportional'?
- Representation of Black Men in the Movies
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 (Jennifer Lopez is now in the upper echelons for pay for female actors).
- Asian Stereotypes - A memo demanding some action from Hollywood producers who keep resorting to stock Asian characters
- A Discussion of the above memo
- An overview of Asian portrayals from The Media Portayal Project
- Redefining Asian American Masculinity - lengthy review of American Sons, containing much relevant comparison with eg) The Joy Luck Club
There is anxiety expressed in the UK about the portrayal of ethnic minorities, particularly in soap operas.
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