Submitted By: Priscilla L
In the media today Race and Ethinicity is somewhat sort of an issue. The way an African American person being protrayed would be different from the way a Caucasian would or an Asian. But why? Were all of the same race (human), we all eat and breathe to survive so why all the difference?
In this clip above its the trailer for the famous show "Jersey Shore". The show is about 6 Italians who live at the Jersey Shore for the summer. It basically shows them partying, getting drunk, fighting, and hooking up with people. This behavior is deemed okay because the color of their skin whereas if it were African American people doing this, it would be out of pocket and disgracing. This show had 8.8 million viewers for its Season 4 premiere. For African Americans they had a similar show to Jersey Shore called College Hill. It was the same thing expect these students were all African American and all were in College. It was still the same hooking up, drinking, and fighting. This show only had 2.2 million viewers.
The drastic difference in views I think has to do with Ethnicity of course. The College Hill show would not really appeal to a Caucasian person because none of the people on the show are Caucasian. They probably feel as though they would not relate, because they are white. But there really is no diffence because were all human and do the same actions we are just of different skin colors.
The problem with society when it comes to ethinicity in media is they protray white people to be more superior than blacks, latinos, asians, and native americans. Almost every television show on tv has to have at least one caucasian person play a major role in the show.
It shouldn't have to be that way. I believe because we are all equal and the media doesn't protray us as all to be equal. Thats the problem today, everyone speaks about everyone being equal but no one really does anything about it. I think that if you want to get that message across you should start somewhere where you know all people will pay attention and thats on television.
Priscilla, I do agree that the media portrays different races in stereotypical ways. College hill basically showed the same things that Jersey Shore shows, and also shows like Bad Girls Club but in film it is much worse. Black film shows the ruthless gangstas who kill each other for a living. Everyone has different views on different races because of what the media shows us. Whites but not all whites are surperior but we are led to believe other wise.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you when you state that the problem with our society when it comes to ethnicity in media is that they portray white people to be more superior. But with respects to that statement, we as a society mut face the facts and the harsh reality is that White people are more superior in our society; not all but majority and it is called white privaleged. The media never portrays the positive side or view of anything unless it is a documentary. I agree it shouldn’t be this way but sadly it is and our society has confirmed to it. Each race or should I say ethnicity has their own view on other races. Blacks think their race is beautiful, Whites think their race is superior, Hispanics are spicy and hard working and Asians know they are smart. Every race use their negatives and turn it into something positive along with using it to their advantage. When it comes down to the shows and the number or viewers for the shows you have to think about the channel they are aired on. Jersey Shore is aired on MTV for where blacks and whites can feel comfortable watching them as opposed to BET which stands for Black Entertainment Television. You stated that something should be done about equality in our society but people have been fighting to decades to for equal rights and the message has not got acrossed yet. What do you think can be done to get the messages across for equality and if we did get the message across bout being equal how far will it get us in this world or should I syay our society?
ReplyDeleteI agree with what info you gave on the numbers pertaining to the viewers of the shows but there are many films that have majority of african americans. "Lean on Me" made in 1989 starring Morgan Freeman had a almost all "black" cast with about five caucasians in the entire movie. So to say that people only want to see whites on screen and that it is onesided isnt all true. even on tv there are enitre stations designed for people of differnt color. Sure, they arent as prevalent as all the oher stations but there out there.
ReplyDeleteAubrey J J.
ReplyDeletePriscilla I totally agree with what you are saying in regards to the media. I too believe that they are playing a big part in racism and inequality. While we understand that there are a few movies and T.V. shows that may not capture the universal culture of a people there should not be any forms of segregation right before our eyes. I thought your perspective was fair and right on the mark because you were being certain not to appear bias at all. If you would want to take this topic a little further you could certainly direct these comments to the proper channels to get our opinions out. This discussion is an on going effort for us all to try and do something about.
I don't totally agree with this post. College hill was wack that's why their ratings were low.I do kind of understand what you mean when you say whites are superior in the media but I would have used a different reference. I would have wrote about how Minorities are portrayed as the bad guys in movies whereas the white guys are almost the heros...ijs
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