Stereotypes in films and tv

Films and television shows are responsible for exposing racial stereotypes. These prejudice stereotypes often affect how individuals are treated in society. Since society watches these films and TV shows, their perception of certain races are altered or tainted. In the article, “In living color: Race and American Culture,” Michael Omi states, “In contemporary television and films, there is a tendency to present and equate racial minority groups and individuals with specific social problems. Blacks are associates with drugs and urban crime, Latinos with ‘illegal’ immigration, while Native Americans cope alcoholism and tribal conflict” (Omi 632). Television and films represent ethnic groups poorly and can therefore make society also think negative of them.
Minorities can often become victims of racial stereotyping. These racial stereotypes are heavily influenced by TV shows and movies. Most of the times these stereotypes will have a negative effect on a certain minority and can cause individuals to be treated with prejudice and discrimination. Sometimes stereotypes can put these individuals in danger. It is believed that one of America’s most awful sins was the enslavement and segregation of nonwhites. America, since the 1600’s has been accountable for racism and discrimination especially in the south. Even today in 2015, America is still in the process of overcoming prejudice for good. For example, in August 9, 2014, an 18 year old African American named Michael Brown was shot by a white police officer. Brown was unarmed and was shot over an unresolved misunderstanding with the officer. This incident may have been caused by racial stereotyping. TV shows and films further worsen and judge representing minorities in America. The media can also direct people’s perspective about certain races, and make individuals think that some races are all criminals and a danger to society. Michael Omi states, “Film and television have been notorious in disseminating images of racial minorities which establish for audiences what these groups look like, how they behave, and in essence, ‘who they are’” (Omi 629). The audience or society perceives minority groups based on the way they act and behave on the screen to real life. They are misinformed because they believe that that’s how all people of minorities and ethnic groups are. This can sometimes become dangerous and cause damage to certain minorities. The roles of minorities or ethnic groups in movies can cause dispute amongst audiences. “The black males in ‘The birth of a Nation’ were clearly presented as sexual threats to white ‘womanhood.’ For decades afterward, however, Hollywood consciously avoided portraying black men as assertive or sexually aggressive in order to minimize controversy” (Michael Omi 632). Since Hollywood casted black males to be a threat to white women, it sparked controversy. Hollywood, consequently, had to avoid using black males as a threat because there was a debate on how black males should be represented. Black people do not want to be represented or viewed in a negative way because it affects the way these individuals are treated in society. In “Race Relations Light Years from Earth,”Mitu Sengupta explores the racial secrets hidden in “Avatar.” In this article, Sengupta uses Annalee Newitz description of the movie, which is, “white characters realize that they are complicit in a system which is destroying aliens, AKA people of color, and become leaders of the people they once oppressed.” ( Sengupta 413) Avatar can be seen as a movie that stereotypes white individuals as being racist to any people outside their race. This movie can change people’s perspectives on how white people really are. It is not the case that all white individuals think this way. Society again is misinformed by TV and films on how reality really is. This can affect white people’s reputations and can cause hatred amongst these individuals from other ethnic groups. People can think that all whites oppose all races but their own. Films and television can change people’s perspectives on how specific individuals of ethnic groups are viewed. Michael Omi claims, “Our ‘common sense’ assumption about race and racial minorities in the United States are both generated and reflected in the stereotypes presented by the visual media” (Michael Omi 630). Society perceives minority groups based on how they act and behave on TV and movies. The roles of minorities or ethnic groups in movies can affect the way these individuals are treated or viewed.