As we have explored these ideas of bias, prejudice, discrimination, and oppression, I have become more sensitive to the subtle ways the media often expresses some form of discrimination toward an individual or group. In television shows, mostly crime shows, there continues to be a theme of black males playing the role of the criminal. In the last blog posting, I shared an incident on a comedy where a white male professional calls his assistant who is from India "Mogli". As a society we have become immune to the subtle, and often blatant nature of such biases. It is frightening to think of the impact it is having on the children of today that grow up in homes where the television is on both for active watching and as "background noise". I do not envy parents of today that must compete with media for the attention of their children.
In each incident, there is diminished equity for the individual. As roles of criminals are played by black males, the idea becomes that it must be true in greater society. It does not seek to dispel the myth that black males are criminals and, as I said earlier, the impact of that image on young children can only be harmful. If it were up to me, shows like that simply would not exist. As for the comedy program that pokes fun at the ethnic origin of its characters, it diminishes the equity that is portrayed in professional settings. The fact that the character played by the white male holds a sense of power over the other and is representative of the dominant culture, the interpretation of such a scenario is dangerous. It conveys the idea that people of color cannot hold a position in leadership and that, as an assistant, comments about them are condoned. I could not believe it when I heard it, and yet, the live audience or the laugh track reinforced how funny it was supposed to be as a joke.
I think that in order for these kinds of images to change and make a difference, media should begin casting characters that reflect greater society. People should begin to recognize these subtle attacks on individuals and groups and start talking about it. Since they are so subtle, or are simply "how it has always been", the more we bring it to light, the better possibility of it changing.
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this blog. I agree with you, the media should begin to cast characters that would reflect greater society. The media is definitely diminishing our black males, and as our children continue to watch this on t.v., they have a tendency to think this is the way they should act- mostly like thugs. I believe if the media begin to show how young men and women gets an education or something positive that will influence our young people, the society will be better.
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that media should begin casting characters that reflect greater society. Do you think that their are others ways we could use media to educate people on microaggressions?
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteIn today's society I feel we watch way to much telvelvision( I for one am guilty). We tend to beleive and accept what the media portrays as true. I live just 40 minutes from Detroit, and I very seldom will go there. Detroit is a large black population, and thanks to the media, black males are portrayed as not trusting, and criminal minded. The media needs to stop stereotyping groups.
Katherine you bring up an important point that media often expresses some form of discrimination toward an individual or group. As a Russian American growing up in California, I often noticed that in movies or shows, Russians typically were portrayed as criminals, rarely the "good guys". Even recently, the media continues to push stereotype of Russians as associated with crime. My friend jokes that it is because Russians are so tough.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you that parents today have a real challenge in dealing with the media's impact on their children. We need to be aware of the subtleties and engage in meaningful conversations with children about what they are seeing. In our work with families, we can empower parents to engage in meaningful conversations with their children about what they see, and to continue to advocate for families to spend time together, outdoors or in other meaningful activities together. These are such valuable opportunities to make positive, lasting impressions on children.
I enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing.
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