2. Media Portrayal of Minorities The good, the bad and the funny.

3. History of Minorities in the Media Hollywood’s unofficial casting policy limited actors of color to character roles based on ethnic stereotypes. Hollywood’s unofficial casting policy limited actors of color to character roles based on ethnic stereotypes. EX: World War II movies depiction of American soldiers EX: World War II movies depiction of American soldiers –They would try to create a “diverse” team of soldiers that would end up as ethnic stereotypes themselves. –Began with Jewish American, Irish American, Italian America, and European American with a Southern or rural accent. –Recent films include Latino & African American in spite of the fact that historically American military units in World War II were racially segregated. –This phenomenon dates back to Shakespeare’s Henry V, which included a Scottish, Irish, and Welsh Captain.

4. Accepted Portrayals of Minorities in the Media Breakfast At Tiffany’s Mr. Yunioshi Last of The Mohicans

5. Desperate Housewives John the gardener Desperate Housewives The Applewhites

6. The Good… Star Trek– 1966 First show to have on onscreen interratial kiss (1968) First show to have an African American female in a non- stereotypical role in television. At the time there was still racial segregation, but since the show was set in the 23 rd century Gene Roddenberry envisioned a multi-racial mixed gender crew based on his assumption that there would be no more racial prejudice or sexism.

7. Stereotypical Minority Characters in TV Bonanza– Hop Sing Bonanza– Hop Sing Shogun– Mariko & Fujiko Shogun– Mariko & Fujiko Muppets– The Swedish Chef Muppets– The Swedish Chef Sanford & Son– Fred Sanford & “Aunt” Esther Anderson Sanford & Son– Fred Sanford & “Aunt” Esther Anderson The Jeffersons– Florence The Jeffersons– Florence “The Simpsons”– Apu “The Simpsons”– Apu Mind of Mencia Mind of Mencia Chappelle Show Chappelle Show Blue Collar Comedy Blue Collar Comedy South Park South Park Past & Current shows and the accepted stereotypes portrayed:

8. Society & Stereotypes Many advertisers and companies rely on stereotypes that reinforce white Americans ideas about minorities, like: Many advertisers and companies rely on stereotypes that reinforce white Americans ideas about minorities, like: –Chiquita Banana –Aunt Jemima –Quaker Oats guy Many automobiles take on Native American names: Many automobiles take on Native American names: –Pontiac, Dakota, Navajo Sports teams promote themselves with names like: Sports teams promote themselves with names like: –Kansas City Chiefs –Washington Redskins –Atlanta Braves –Cleveland Indians

9. Stereotypes: Good, Bad or Funny? In the U.S., there are several states where the majority are the minorities. In the U.S., there are several states where the majority are the minorities. “We must prepare all children to live and work harmoniously and productively alongside others who represent various and many racial and cultural groups, backgrounds and abilities in our society.” “We must prepare all children to live and work harmoniously and productively alongside others who represent various and many racial and cultural groups, backgrounds and abilities in our society.” “Prejudice is learned through living in and observing a society where prejudices exist.” “Prejudice is learned through living in and observing a society where prejudices exist.” “All children notice differences. This is developmentally appropriate and, by itself, not a problem; but when negative values are attached to those differences, problems occur.” “All children notice differences. This is developmentally appropriate and, by itself, not a problem; but when negative values are attached to those differences, problems occur.” As adults we can critically think about the information we receive and make our own decisions on what’s acceptable and unacceptable, with varying perceptions. As adults we can critically think about the information we receive and make our own decisions on what’s acceptable and unacceptable, with varying perceptions. Since children don’t have that ability we are only embedding inaccurate portrayals of minorities into their minds as truths through the media. Since children don’t have that ability we are only embedding inaccurate portrayals of minorities into their minds as truths through the media. (Anti-Defamation League)

10. Cartoons & Unacceptable Stereotypes

11. Parental Suggestions Accept your children as unique and special Accept your children as unique and special Help your children become sensitive to other people’s feelings Help your children become sensitive to other people’s feelings Make sure your children understand that prejudice and discrimination are unacceptable Make sure your children understand that prejudice and discrimination are unacceptable Teach your children respect and an appreciation for differences by providing opportunities for interacting with people of diverse groups Teach your children respect and an appreciation for differences by providing opportunities for interacting with people of diverse groups Help children recognize instances of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination Help children recognize instances of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination Encourage your children to create positive change Encourage your children to create positive change Take appropriate action against prejudice and discrimination Take appropriate action against prejudice and discrimination

12. The Big Question Should there be change? Should there be change?

13. Thank You http://youtube.com/watch?v=KIZSDDDFq LE http://youtube.com/watch?v=KIZSDDDFq LE http://youtube.com/watch?v=KIZSDDDFq LE http://youtube.com/watch?v=KIZSDDDFq LE

14. Women’s Weight www.about-face.org www.nolose.org www.naafa.org

15. Media and Religion How media portrays religions

16. Key Findings Religion is widely used as a criterion of identity Religion is widely used as a criterion of identity Coverage of the religious lives of minorities is disproportionately low Coverage of the religious lives of minorities is disproportionately low Religion Stories most frequently describe religion in political and legal terms Religion Stories most frequently describe religion in political and legal terms

17. Media, Religions, & Minorities 1970s1980s1990s Role of Women 1274347 Role of Minorities 1034758

18. Religion & Identity 3 general categories of religion identity markers 3 general categories of religion identity markers Those that add important information to the articles Those that add important information to the articles Superfluous identity markers Superfluous identity markers Negative stereotype identity Negative stereotype identity

19. Negative stereotype identity marker

20. The obvious and the not-so- obvious stereotypes & themes

24. Coverage of Islam and Muslims

25. America’s religious breakdown Christians46% Roman Catholic 28% Jewish2% Islam1% Other/no affiliation 22%

26. Islam’s Coverage=Bad Deeds Coverage of Islam is preponderantly negative & associated with criminality or violence Coverage of Islam is preponderantly negative & associated with criminality or violence Militaristic terms to describe Islam and Muslim Militaristic terms to describe Islam and Muslim

27. Separation of Church & State? Very unlikely…

28. Religion stories in news media most frequently describe religion in political & legal terms

29. Some Statistics Nearly half of stories about religion included references to political, legal, & criminal activities Nearly half of stories about religion included references to political, legal, & criminal activities 20% treated religion exclusively as political or legal matter 20% treated religion exclusively as political or legal matter 10% treated religion exclusively in terms of beliefs & values 10% treated religion exclusively in terms of beliefs & values Final Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEJogiFgsKs

30. Media & Disabilities – The Villains

31. Portrayal of Mercy Killings

32. The Sweet & Innocent

33. Jerry’s Kids

34. Advertisement

35. LGB Stereotypes in Film

36. LGB Films

37. Media & Transgender