Media Representations of Race and Ethnicity

Ethnicity

• Definition
• Population whose members identify with each other on the basis of common nationality or shared cultural traditions
• Connotations
• Shared cultural, linguistic, religious and/or historical traits

Race

• Definition
• Concept of dividing people into populations based on various physical characteristics usually resulting from genetic ancestry 
• Connotations
• Presumes shared biological or genetic traits 

Othering

• Process of seeing one group of people belonging to one's own culture and another being completely alien

Media Representation

• The way in which the media shows the world

How is race represented?

More often than not, the subject of race is carefully addresses, therefore not many TV Dramas are willing to depict the true diversity within race for fear of backlash or cultural appropriation. In addition to this, the use of, for example, black people within a TV Drama may be included, however, they are usually the subordinate or a part time character on the show. In the event that they are the main character within the production, their race will be a focal point for their actions as opposed to what their actions actually are. In the same light, subjects such as white privilege are not explored with a white main character, further demonstrating that race is something that is very scarcely represented.

TV Drama Depictions of Race:

Mason

• Clever
• Helper
• Friend

Dr. Deaton

• Very Smart
• Helper
• Calm

Deucalion

• Antagonist
• Cunning
• Deceitful

Kira Yukimura

• Powerful
• Love Interest
• Strong

Olivia Pope

• Strong
• Courageous
• Notorious

Roan Pope

• Antagonist
• Cunning
• Manipulative

Annalise Keating

• Strong-willed
• Caring
• Protective

Nate Lahey

• Sacrificial
• Selfless
• Brave

Laurel Castillo

• Clever
• Serious
• Protective

Luthur

• Clever
• Protective
• Perceptive

Representations:

• Can consist of the same sort of rigid stereotypes that constitute gender portrayal
• Stereotyping of race can be seen as more harmful than gender
• Presents audience with only one particular representation of race can create mind set that this is the truth (e.g. TOWIE making people believe all Essex people are heavily made up but they haven't been to Essex)
• Stereotypes based on social myth through the ages

Alvarado's Race Theory 1978

Said that race is represented as:

• Exotic
• Dangerous
• Humorous
• Pitied

Cohen Moral Panic Theory 1972

Described as a condition, episode, person or group that emerge to be defined as a threat to society. 

• 1970s – The image of the black mugger 
• 1980s – Image of rioter 
• 1990s – Gangsta, gun crimes etc 
• 2000s – Media focus shifts to Muslims

Tokenism

• Limited inclusion or artistic and/or political representations of members of a traditionally marginalised group
• Creates false appearance of inclusive practices rather than discrimination
• Represented as blue collar workers 
• For example, purposely including a minority member in an all white cast

Middle eastern stereotypes

• Blue collar worker e.g. shop owner, cab drivers
• Originated from colonist views placing British people as superior
• Immigrants, seeking employment 
• Studious
• Family-orientated
• Patriarchal 
• Misogynist 
• Resulting from a clash of western and eastern cultures and religions 

Islamaphobia

• Sprouted from the 9/11 attacks 
• Fear of Muslims 
• Media has stereotyped Asians as terrorists and villains

Eastern Europeans 

• Polish
• Represented as cheap labour workers 
• Far Eastern Origin
• Clever
• Computer experts
• Technicians, excellent with technology
• Exclusively Japanese characters in Sci-fi movies

Stereotypes of black people:

• Musicians
• Sportsmen and women
• Comedians
• Criminals
• Socially dysfunctional
• Prostitute/sexually promiscuous 
• The stud/pimp

Gaye Tuchman Symbolic Annihilation 1978

• Refers to the absence or under representation of certain social groups within media 
• Refers to social groups who are misrepresented through stereotypes

Representation of Ethnic Minorities:

• Criminals
• Threat
• Dependent
• Abnormal
• Unimportant

Leveson Inquiry

• Media representations of ethnic minorities undermines the concept of a tolerant multi cultural society. 
• Helps create social divisions based on ethnicity

Sumner: Ethnocentrism - 1906

• Evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture.
• e.g. Commenting on an ethnic issue from a British white supremacist view as the base 
• Says that media representations of Muslims since attacks of 9/11 have been very negative, causing Muslims to have negative stereotypes associated with them

David Gauntlet 2008

Sociological analysis of media representations needs to be cautious due to diversity of Britain