Representation In TV Drama Learning Objective: Build notes on representations of Ethnicity

Do now BFI Screenonline: Da Ali G Show (2000) Watch and discuss the following: Is Ali G British? What would you say about his ethnicity?

Ethnicity Discuss these questions with your partner: What is your ethnicity? How would you describe your ethnicity? What’s the difference between ethnicity and nationality? Ethnicity is a distinctiveness based on a number of factors – it is complicated and often a matter of debate but is related to “cultural heritage” What contributes to a persons ethnicity? Family origins – where your family are from. Cultural upbringing – customs, religion, language, food? Personal perception – how someone views themselves. Ethnicity is a complex issue – it involves more than just place of birth or colour of skin

What are the main ethnic groups within London? Ethnicity used to be broken down into three categories- white, black and other! Today ethnicity is sub-divided into several groups. London in particular is incredibly multicultural with over 150 different languages spoken. Media representations: 2 minutes - make a list of all the media personalities (actors, presenters, musicians, journalists etc ) you can name from the following ethnicities: Chinese Eastern European Pakistani African Latin American Discuss: In mainstream UK TV drama which ethnic groups are under represented? Why?

Ethnic stereotyping Stereotyping is a simplified representation based on exaggeration List some of the common ethnic stereotypes of our ethnic groups: Chinese Eastern European Pakistani African Latin American

Ethnicity and the media List media products that are specifically targeting their audience based on ethnicity. What ethnicity do they aim at, is it exclusively the one group? How ethnically diverse is mainstream British media? Watch this clip from…….

Yasmin (2004) In Yorkshire, Yasmin lives two lives in two different worlds: in her community, she wears Muslim clothes, cooks for her father and brother and has the traditional behaviour of a Muslim woman. Further, she has a non- consumed marriage with the illegal immigrant Faysal to facilitate the British stamp in his passport, and then divorce him. In her job, she changes her clothes and dresses like a Westerner, is considered a standard employee and has a good white British friend who likes her. After the September 11 th attacks the prejudice in her job and the treatment of common people makes her take sides and change her life.

Yasmin - Analysis Focus on the representation of Yasmin, what is her demographic? Culturally how does her character relate to stereotypes of Muslim women? How much could she be said to British and how much would you describe her Pakistani? What effect might her representation have on: A)Muslim viewers B)Non Muslim viewers