Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
media stereotypes for african americans
african american stereotypes in media
african american stereotypes in media
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: media stereotypes for african americans
Investigating the Relationship Between Television Portrayal of African Americans and Behavior Responses Toward African Americans
This research sought to examine the relationship between television
news portrayals of African Americans and subsequent behavioral
responses toward African Americans. While this research was not able
to clearly illuminate the specific link between portrayal and
behavior, this research is able to suggest a model for future studies
into such relationships.
[Headnote]
This research sought to examine the relationship between television
news portrayals of African Americans and subsequent behavioral
responses toward African Americans. While this research was not able
to clearly illuminate the specific link between portrayal and
behavior, this research is able to suggest a model for future studies
into such relationships.
The portrayal of African Americans in television drama, news and
sports coverage has been analyzed by journalists and scholars (see
Corea, 1993; Dates, 1990; Entman 1990, 1992, 1994; Jackson, 1989;
Lule, 1995; MacDonald, 1992; Rada, 1996; Rainville & McCormick, 1997;
Staples & Jones, 1985; U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1977; and
U.S.Riot Commission Report, 1968). While the literature has addressed
the content of these media portrayals (or-as the research has
shownmisportrayals), and speculated on their impact, few protocols
have been suggested for assessing their effect upon African Americans
or upon others in the television audience.
To measure the effect of a media portrayal, a study desi...
... middle of paper ...
...s.), Split images: African Americans in the
mass media (pp. 388 - 420). Washington, D.C.: Howard University Press.
Troldahl, V. & Powell, A. (1965). A short-form dogmatism scale for use
in field studies. Social Forces, 44, 211-215.
United States Commission for the Study of Civil Rights (1977). Window
dressing on the set: Women and minorities in television. Washington,
D.C.: U.S. Government.
United States Riot Commission Report (1968). Report of the National
Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. New York: Bantam.
Wilson, M. & Dovidio, J. F. (1985). Effects of perceived
attractiveness and feminist orientation on helping behavior. Journal
of Social Psychology, 125, (4), 415-420.
Zagona, S. V., & Zurcher, L. A. (1965). Notes on the reliability and
validity of the dogmatism scale. Psychological Reports, 16, 1234-1236.
Portrayal of African Americans on television is frequently a controversial topic. Throughout its rather brief history, television, in its programming, has skewed predominantly white, (Pringozy, 2007). This was clearer in the 1950s and early 1960s, and it even remained true throughout the 1970s, when television shows with mainly all African American casts became hits, (Strausbaugh, 2006). The success of The Cosby Show in the 1980s helped to improve race relations somewhat, or at least on television, (McNeil, 1996). Still, controversy continued, and still does to this day, as to which shows present negative stereotypes of African Americans and which ones do not, (Strausbaugh, 2006). Therefore, when talking about the history of African Americans on television, it is best to begin with the show that is widely considered to be the epitome of negative stereotypes of African Americans on television: The Amos and Andy Show, (McNeil, 1996). This paper will examine the portrayal of African Americans through two shows from two generations and the impacts both shows had on Black America; The Amos and Andy Show (1928) and The Cosby Show (1984).
When you hear someone say, “no she didn’t!” who do you usually picture saying that? You picture an African American female. There are many different stereotypes depicted in the media, some positive and some negative. The main stereotype that everyone knows is typically young male/ female African American teenagers. They are portrayed as being really loud, obnoxious, ghetto, uneducated, and dangerous. This stereotype was chosen to show how negative young African Americans are betrayed. This is depicted in movies and TV shows such as Friday, Madea, Moesha, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Love and Hip-Hop.
Since its start, the television industry has been criticized for perpetuating myths and stereotypes about African-Americans through characterizations, story lines, and plots. The situation comedy has been the area that has seemed to draw the most criticism, analysis, and disapproval for stereotyping. From Sanford and Son and The Jefferson’s in the 1970s to The Cosby Show (1984) and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the 1990s, sitcoms featuring black casts and characters have always been controversial. However, their significance upon our American culture cannot be disregarded. During the 1950s and 1960s, 97% of the families were Caucasian. In the first five years of the 1990s, nearly 14% of the television families were African-American (Bryant 2001). These statistics obviously show the substantial impact our American culture has had on African-American television families.
Many people in America like to think that racial stereotyping and racism is a thing of the past, but racial stereotyping is still prominent in America. Although racial stereotyping and racism significantly slowed down, it still remains a major factor in American society. In “The End of Post-Identity Television,” Aymar Jean Christian argues the fact that race is not a major factor in casting characters in a television series or a movie, he reveals that race is not relevant anymore. In Michael Omi’s “In Living Color: Race and American Culture,” he argues how racial stereotyping and racism still exist in America. The Cosby Show seeked to change racial stereotyping in television by portraying an upper-middle class African American family. The Cosby Show attempted to break barriers for African Americans in television and did so by paving the way for other major African American based sitcoms. “The End of Post-Identity
Tan, A. S., Fujioka, Y., & Tan, G. (2000). Television use, stereotypes of African Americans and opinions on affirmative action: An affective model of policy reasoning. Communication Monographs, 67, 362-371.
The roles African Americans play on television are not satisfactory. Though the roles have changed during the development of television, the current relationship is not representative of true African American people or their lifestyles. The question is how do the past roles African Americans play in television sitcoms compare to the current roles? How does this affect society’s perception of the African American in American culture? Throughout the history of television the roles and the representation of African Americans has developed with the changing cultural conditions. However, the representation of African American’s has not fully simulated into today’s society. What the average citizen views on his or her television does not accurately portray the African American’s influence on America.
Although African Americans make up just 30% of the total population of the United States, they are accounted for 60% of those imprisoned! That’s an enormous difference! What is the reason behind this? The obvious answer is racism. Maybe it’s because the police officers are racist and more suspicious about African Americans, but then again, maybe it’s because the African Americans commit more crime. Even if they do, it’s quite likely that this criminal attitude is roused when they are treated unfairly and discriminated against. Anyway, racism is the action of setting up unfair differences in between people of different races. The thing in our mind that provokes racism is prejudice. Prejudice is a negative thought that exists inside our mind, and it causes us to treat different people in a different way. But why does prejudice exist in the world? What is the reason behind our inexplicable tendency to differentiate between others?
...cal discourse. It is important that news media are challenged to be fair and accurate. Therefore, racial bias contribute to racist policies, inhuman treatment and indifferent, and murderous attitude that so many black people and other people of color will find themselves as victims. Also, “The Cosby Show” exemplifies that not all black families are poor and uneducated. Although television seems to be more realistic than the shows of the past, we still have a long way to go. It is time for the media stop hanging on to what have been proven to be untrue and outdated stereotypes. The media must stop trying to keep America segregated and racist. Therefore, when watching the news and television shows, viewers must keep in mind that these are just stereotypes. The African-American people and other people of color are really not much different from anyone else.
This paper analyzes The media being one of the greatest influences of society perceptions, their false portrayal of African American males significantly impacts how society perceives and behaves towards them, and how black males see themselves as well as their opportunities and achievements.
Racism and discrimination continue to be a prevalent problem in American society. Although minorities have made significant strides toward autonomy and equality, the images in media, specifically television, continue to misrepresent and manipulate the public opinion of blacks. It is no longer a blatant practice upheld by the law and celebrated with hangings and beatings, but instead it is a subtle practice that is perceived in the entertainment and media industries. Whether it’s appearing in disparaging roles or being negatively portrayed in newscasts, blacks continue to be the victims of an industry that relies on old ideas to appeal to the majority. The viscous cycle that is the unconscious racism of the media continues to not only be detrimental to the white consumers, who base what they know about blacks by what is represented in television, but also the black consumers, who grow up with a false sense of identity.
Woll, Allen L and Randall M Miller. Ethnic and Racial Images in American Film and Television: Historical Essays and Bibliography. n.d. Print.
How has the media portrayal of African Americans affected the way society perceives them as a whole? “…negative exposure to African American portrayals in the media significantly influences the evaluation of African American in general” (Punyanunt-Carter 242). My research question centers on the general public’s view of African Americans as individuals and as a minority. Mass media is a vital source of information that contributes to the public perceptions of African Americans and their roles and personality. According to several scholars and my own perspective, I believe that the depiction of the African American has been one-dimensional, negative and distorted; without a doubt, the stereotypical portrayal of African Americans has contributed to racial prejudice and assumptions. In my opinion, I feel as if the negative depictions outweigh the positive.
My research focused on the coverage of Asian Americans in contemporary mass media. The following types of media were researched:
Marlon T. Riggs’ video, Color Adjustment, offers the viewer an exciting trip though the history of television, focusing on the representation, or lack thereof, of African-Americans. A perfectly chosen combination of television producers, actors, sociologists, and cultural critics join forces to offer insight and professional opinion about the status of African-Americans in television since the inception of television itself. As Color Adjustment traces the history of television shows from Amos n’ Andy and Julia to "ghetto sitcoms" and The Cosby Show, the cast of television professionals and cultural critics discuss the impacts those representations have on both the African-American community and our society as a whole. Color Adjustment continually asks the question: "Are these images positive?" This video raises the viewer’s awareness about issues of positive images for African-Americans on television.
Seitz argues that M.Ns are happy to help their masters at any time. African-Americans are serving whites to succeed in their life and these mentors willingly serve whites. Seitz states, “Magical Negro”: a saintly African-American who acts as a mentor to a white hero… [their] relationship is that of a master and servant… one that truly lives to serve, has no life to speak beyond his service” (Seitz 357). Years after the end of slavery, blacks are still considered as servants of whites in America. Even though social reforms have ended slavery and the exclusion of blacks from society, whites still consider blacks as their slaves and this has been portrayed ambiguously in many movies. In pro-white popular culture, African-American actors and actresses have not received fair treatment to perform at the highest of their abilities. In today’s modern world, there are roots of racism; popular culture and mass media production are very important key factors in promoting the racial distinction in our society. In this modern world, media and television are a part of everyday life. People have easy access to movies and TV shows; viewers of these shows tend to believe what is being shown. Films and TV shows have played a significant role in reestablishing racism and discrimination in popular culture. Many of the mass media production industries have characterized racial stereotypes. Omi reveals racial stereotypes, “[in