Stereotypes In Media: Don't Take it Lightly

By Zhar

Everyone has encountered stereotypes. Whether or not we take action against stereotypes will determine if we see these stereotypes again. In a society where our individual cultures deteriorate and are replaced for the sake of "fitting in" and social status it is important that visuals of people contain respect and integrity. It's unfortunate that if people see images enough they feed into them, and eventually believe them. Therefore any misconceptions must be corrected; otherwise people will not be living in reality. Media is not only a very lucrative business but also has an incredible influence on our society because millions of people spend hours of time glued to the television. But the characters portrayed by the media very rarely resemble the viewers. Instead of seeing real people with real problems and attitudes viewers are plagued with phony fictitious characters that stereotype and even offend viewers.

For instance, Dawson's Creek shows teenagers in very complicated relationships. They show teenagers using dialogue that is obviously written by adults. Since adults write the show it's not an accurate portrayal of teenagers. Adults watching the show might get the wrong impression about teenagers' behavior patterns and attitudes. Teens that watch the show may try and alter their lives so they can have the complex lives that the teens have on television.

Another example is Friends, a show watched by millions based on the lives of six friends diverse only by personality. The setting is in New York but there are never any Black people around. I find that very insulting because there is a high population of Black people in New York City. Maybe the people who are creating this fantasy world on Friends believe that New York would be better without Black people. Or they feel that Black people don't need to be included.

Stereotypes can grow from people's insecurities and misunderstandings and lead to lack of judgement on what would be offensive to viewers of different race, gender, class and sexual preference. Stereotypes could even come from someone's ill thoughts toward another.

For instance in the film Birth of a Nation, made in 1915 by David W. Griffith, glorifies the Klu Klux Klan, and stereotypes and demonizes Black people. It instilled fears and hate in people towards other races. It is unfortunate that most of the minority characters on television have no sense of culture beyond the generation X bravado. It seems like most characters on television act and look the same. On some level this lack of culture on television is just as inaccurate as the images of minorities in Birth of a Nation.

In a strange way this new culture-less community portrayed on television is also instilling a fear of the "other". A friend of mine came to America from India and she brought her culture with her. She would wear clothing from India, beautiful robes and skirts in bright vibrant colors, bindies and glitter in her hair and on her face. Then she went to college. She was teased and constantly had to ignore rude remarks until she finally traded in her unique attire for khakis and tech vests, her bindies for Maybelline. I can only make assumptions as to why stereotypes are conjured up and why they continue to be viewed by Americans. I think that stereotypes are insulting and embarrassing and they can be harmful because they affect people's views. Stereotypes slowly shape people's view of other races, genders, classes and sexual preferences. People will start being close-minded; they will lose their culture and try to compress themselves into the media's definition of beautiful, exciting, fun, new and cool, completely gnoring the fact that our individuality is what makes us unique. Reality: Don't let the media define yours. To put a stop to stereotypes just change the channel, tell your friends not to watch the programs with stereotypes, call the television station and tell them how you feel. Boycott the products advertised on the station and write or e-mail the media conglomerates responsible.

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