Monday, June 8, 2009
Personal Reflection
Race in the media is something we don’t pay attention to enough. The media seems to create a number of stereotypes about all races. My ideas of race seem to have subconsciously been shaped by the media. When thinking about some of the most common stereotypes, they all have to do with race. I know that I was not raised in a family that held any sort of racial grudges, yet when someone says something a man with the name Jose, I automatically place that person in a certain category. This actually happened to me a few weeks ago, I was in London at the famous Abby Road and I heard one of my friends say she just met two guys from Mexico City, one named Jose the other Pedro. In my head I immediately drew the conclusion that these people had brown skin, brown eyes and were probably not very well off. When I turned around to meet them, they both had blonde hair and blue eyes dressed to the nine in designer clothing. Another one of my friend was thinking the same thing I was and said there is no way you guys are from Mexico City, you don’t look Mexican. This is such an appalling situation to look back at. We sound so ignorant with these stereotypes, yet when any one is asked to describe what they see in their head when they hear the name Jose, I can almost guarantee they will come up with a description similar to what popped into my head. I truly believe that this subconscious stereotyping can be thanked due in part to the media. It is impossible for every single individual cross culturally to be taught in the home these types of racial associations. When examining the media, it can be seen how the simplest of racial associations become prominent. For instance on Greys Anatomy, the hit TV show, the Asian women on there has the last name Yang and frequently brags on her academic success, yet is constantly floundered in her social failure. This is very similar to the connotations many people make in their head about Asians today. Overall the media is not very sensitive in most situations to racial situations.
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The first step is opening up to looking at things out of a different filter. Are you ready?
ReplyDeleteI feel as though we gain certain labels from personal experience. I agree that when I hear the name, Jose, I automatically think of a Mexican. This is based on my prior knowledge and of course the media. I don’t feel that it is a racist matter but just the cultural name is tied to Hispanics. I feel the media uses stereotypes because they are recognizable to the audiences. It makes the television series more realistic using labels. However, if the media does not break away from these common stereotypes generations will continue to have the same train of thought as us.
ReplyDeleteI have had the same thing happen to me. When I hear Jose or Gonzalez, my mind goes to Mexican. I don't mean to, but it is instinct. One of my best friends is named Ruben Ronaldo Gonzalez, but he has blonde hair, blue eyes, and light skin. The media isn't helpful either. I like how you referenced Grey's Anatomy and the Asian character. The show I love to look at for diversity is Scrubs. If you haven't watched it, you should. The four main characters are two white people, an African-American, and a Dominican. There are constant blurring of boundaries, and even though it's a comedy, the show has a message at the end of every episode, and gets people to think outside the box when it comes to race and diversity.
ReplyDeleteBut remember, the rest of the world has stereotypes about the United States and us too. Stereotyping is a global problem that needs to be addressed.
Awareness
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