Representation and ethnicity
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The document discusses representations of ethnicity in media. It notes there are 55 minority ethnic groups in China, with Zhuang and Tibetan groups being the most populous. It defines the differences between ethnicity and race, and explains the concept of "tokenism" - when minority groups are represented in a stereotypical way just to appear diverse rather than for fair representation. The document analyzes how media portrayals can reinforce prejudices by presenting narrow ethnic stereotypes to audiences. It provides several examples of problematic representations of ethnic groups in video games and films.
Representation and ethnicity
- 1. S T A R T E R • What ethnicity do you see in the picture? • What stereotypes are there of China? (People, Places, Events such as sport or political) • How many Chinese ethnic groups can you list?
- 2. • There are 55 minority ethnic groups in China • The most populous are Zhuange with 18 million people • Tibetan and Mongolian are the most well known
- 3. E T H N I C B R E A K D O W N H K
- 4. R E P R E S E N T A T I O N O F E T H N I C I T Y D E S C R I B E T H E D I F F E R E N C E S B E T W E E N E T H N I C I T Y A N D R A C E B E A B L E T O I D E N T I F Y M E D I A T E X T S T H A T O F F E R L I M I T E D R E P R E S E N T A T I O N S O F E T H N I C I T Y E X P L A I N W H A T ‘ T O K E N I S M’ I S A N D W H Y I T I S P R O B L E M A T I C
- 5. R E I N F O R C I N G P R E J U D I C E S M E D I A P O R T R A Y S A N E T H N I C S T E R E O T Y P E T H E A U D I E N C E E N C O U N T E R T H I S E T H N I C I T Y T H R O U G H T H E M E D I A W H A T W I L L H A P P E N T O T H I S A U D I E N C E V I E W O F T H A T E T H N I C I T Y ?
- 6. W H A T W E E N D U P W I T H … 1. Stereotype is represented in media text 2. Audience decode text 3. Audience maintain narrow view
- 7. W H A T I S T H E D I F F E R E N C E B E T W E E N R A C E A N D E T H N I C I T Y ? • Your ethnicity refers to your CULTURAL IDENTITY
- 8. G A M E S R E P R O D U C E D O M I N A N T D I S C O U R S E S • GTA: San Andreas portrayed ghettoized, hyperviolent Black protagonists and NPCs, all sanctioned by popular culture, gamers, and academics who praised the game for its mechanics, narrative reach, and creativity. • Idealizes Black and Hispanic gang culture
- 9. R E S I D E N T E V I L 5 R A C E R O W
- 11. K O T A K U ’ S R E S P O N S E Ignores the original argument to focus on the game and function of zombies Seems ignorant of the fact that zombies are inherently linked with black history (Vodun/Vodou)
- 12. I M A G E R Y • Survival horror convention: innocence vs evil • Typically coded and white vs black, light vs darkness, west vs rest, etc • “Early in RE5, the team sees a (extremely) White woman dragged screaming by an African into a second- story apartment. This scene evokes allusions of Black-on-White rape because of the woman’s Whiteness as well as historical connotations of Black desire for ‘‘pure’’ White women. There are no random choices in videogames; the developers chose that pairing to fit in with the horror aesthetic of the game” • Brock, 2011: p.433-434
- 13. • RE5, however, utilizes a character set more frequently seen in action movies: a skilled, laconic White mercenary type teamed up with an exotic female partner. Sheva’s African origins lead one to believe that she will serve as a native guide, but her AI capabilities are not robust enough to allow her to survive autonomously plus she is apparently unfamiliar with the area. At all times, she requires Chris’ assistance to fend off enemies and provide direction … In her role as support person, Sheva does little to challenge gendered and racialized stereotypes of women in media
- 14. – B R O C K , 2 0 1 1 • “Sheva Alomar’s depiction evokes possibilities of changing industry perspectives on female videogame leads. Unfortunately, Sheva’s character conforms to Western hegemonic conceptions of femininity and race: she is brown, inarticulate, and supportive of the White hero. Sheva’s alternate costumes make it clear that she is window- dressing; a sexualized mule that lovingly carries tools of domination and death for her White partner to use against her people.”
- 15. R E P R E S E N T A T I O N S O F A R A B S A N D M U S L I M S • Post 9/11 Islam portrayed as a threat; linked with terrorism; ordinary Muslims marginalized
- 16. W H Y D O Y O U T H I N K T H I S A D V E R T M A Y H A V E B E E N C O N T R O V E R S I A L I N T H E U S ?
- 17. H O L L Y W O O D W A Y The Little Mermaid (1989) Sebastian the work-shy Jamaican crab? Aladdin (1992) 'Evil' Arabs
- 18. Frozen (2013) Snowy whitewash? Despicable Me 2 (2013) Mexican restaurant owner villain
- 20. M C D O N A L D ’ S Why is important for a company like McDonald’s to promote diversity?
- 21. T O K E N I S M • What is Tokenism?
- 22. T O K E N I S M • The practice of doing something (such as hiring a person who belongs to a minority group) only to prevent criticism and to give the appearance that people are being treated fairly. These tend to focus on the stereotypical aspects of that culture, for example arranged marriages. • Do you have any examples?
- 23. L I L Y A L L E N A N D R A C E How does Lily Allen provide a caricature of race?