Race and Representation in the Media Marla Guloien Priscilla Fazakas Amy So

Mass Media on Influences and Society Ml9k0w Ml9k0w Ml9k0w Ml9k0w

Outline For TodayM Key Terms and Questions to Consider Key Terms and Questions to Consider Brief Look at History Brief Look at History –Race Representations and the Historical Framework Key Concepts & Overarching Themes Key Concepts & Overarching Themes Context: Articles Context: Articles  Edward Said, Stuart Hall, Robert Entman and Andrew Rojecki, Henry Tator Mattis Rees, Yasmin Jiwani. Implications Implications Interpretations Interpretations Activity Activity Discussion Discussion Obama’s Inaguration Speech Obama’s Inaguration Speech Conclusions Conclusions

Key Terms& ThemesM Cultural hegemony Cultural hegemony Naturalization Naturalization White Ideology White Ideology Orientalism Orientalism Social hierarchy Social hierarchy Overt racism and inferential racism Overt racism and inferential racism Stereotypes and Caricatures Stereotypes and Caricatures Social Narratives Social Narratives

How Does Media Construct Race? Some Key Questions to think about: How is race framed and constructed through social relations in media? How is race framed and constructed through social relations in media? Throughout media history, can you discuss the how racial representations have changed since the twenties to now? Throughout media history, can you discuss the how racial representations have changed since the twenties to now? How did you think racial representations could change because of Obama’s presidency? How did you think racial representations could change because of Obama’s presidency?

HistoryM 17 th Century to Now 17 th Century to Now An important point to make from the outset is that to be misrepresented in the media, one must be considered to be a person. An important point to make from the outset is that to be misrepresented in the media, one must be considered to be a person. For so long, minorities were not considered to be people under the constitution. For so long, minorities were not considered to be people under the constitution. Racism was overt, everyday and individual. Racism was overt, everyday and individual. Racial hierarchy was also internalized by most people in society. Racial hierarchy was also internalized by most people in society.

HistoryM The influence of British and French colonialism impacted the history of US colonialism. The influence of British and French colonialism impacted the history of US colonialism. Imaginative and intellectual territory was where the discourse produced representations Imaginative and intellectual territory was where the discourse produced representations –that sustained racial hierarchies –stereotypes and beliefs, attitudes and values that were innately racist and distributed through various media forms Movies, ads, print media, political discourse Movies, ads, print media, political discourse Discourse enables the socio-economic and political institutions durability and power. Discourse enables the socio-economic and political institutions durability and power. The Orient grew out of a sovereign Western consciousness The Orient grew out of a sovereign Western consciousness –First lead to ideas about oriental, but became a detailed logic that governed desires and repressions, investments and projections.

History Racism happens within a social, cultural, political and historical context. Racism happens within a social, cultural, political and historical context. What is happening in the bigger picture of politics, culture within a country and now globally, affects the ways in which racism is presented and constructed. What is happening in the bigger picture of politics, culture within a country and now globally, affects the ways in which racism is presented and constructed. Classified X Pt.1 Classified X Pt.1 It is inextricably linked to the perpetual, systematic racism that permeates our lives through the media. It is inextricably linked to the perpetual, systematic racism that permeates our lives through the media. The historical context of the political, social, cultural and economic atmosphere in which the media operates is subject to the beliefs, attitudes and values that consequently exist. The historical context of the political, social, cultural and economic atmosphere in which the media operates is subject to the beliefs, attitudes and values that consequently exist.

Key Concepts From The Readings P Orientalism Orientalism –Edward Said Said introduced the theme of Orientalism. Said introduced the theme of Orientalism. The Orient is an idea constructed with history, tradition of thought, imagery, vocabulary that gave orientalism reality and presence in the West. The Orient is an idea constructed with history, tradition of thought, imagery, vocabulary that gave orientalism reality and presence in the West. The West was defined against the Orient as the Other. The West was defined against the Orient as the Other. A system of knowledge was constructed to represent Orientals, and the West. A system of knowledge was constructed to represent Orientals, and the West. Edward Said on Orientalism Edward Said on Orientalism –

Stuart Hall The Whites of Their EyesP Media represents and interprets the ideologies in a particular way which, through the use of language, image, message, the media constructs ideological narratives about race. Media represents and interprets the ideologies in a particular way which, through the use of language, image, message, the media constructs ideological narratives about race. The Media produces representations of the world, image, descriptions, explanations and frames for understanding the way the world is and why it work as it does. The Media produces representations of the world, image, descriptions, explanations and frames for understanding the way the world is and why it work as it does. Media constructs what the definition of race is and the “problem of race”. Media constructs what the definition of race is and the “problem of race”.

ContinuedP Ideology does not consist of isolated or separate concepts, but articulates a chain of meaning. Ideology does not consist of isolated or separate concepts, but articulates a chain of meaning. Social practice and political struggle serve to define ideologies and naturalize a social consciousness. Social practice and political struggle serve to define ideologies and naturalize a social consciousness. Overt Racism Overt Racism –Favourable coverage given to arguments or positions who elaborate a racism policy or view. Inferential Racism Inferential Racism –A naturalized representation of events relating to race that provides unquestioned assumptions.

R. Entman and A. Rajeki Culture, Media and the White Mind Racial thinking is deeply embedded in the media and the mind’s eye. Racial thinking is deeply embedded in the media and the mind’s eye. Racism and animosity is more widespread than immediately apparent. Racism and animosity is more widespread than immediately apparent. –"White people create the dominant images of the world, and don’t quite see that they thus construct the world in their image." -Richard Dyer Abnormal becomes anything opposite of the ideal traits (White) Abnormal becomes anything opposite of the ideal traits (White) –Social Hierarchy –Racism and Stereotypes

ContinuedP We think within the frames that we see on TV. We think within the frames that we see on TV. Media is a cultural source of habit Media is a cultural source of habit Racial discrimination can be constructed by the media focussing issues that minorities have no control over Racial discrimination can be constructed by the media focussing issues that minorities have no control over –Physical traits Skin colour, hair, body types Skin colour, hair, body types Events on the news, in the movies, in magazines and books: Events on the news, in the movies, in magazines and books: –Social relations as well as stereotypes are shaped and constructed through the images. –Watching the frame allows one to reaffirm expectations (i.e. Gang wars, stereotypes)

Some ImplicationsP Colourblindness Colourblindness Whites deny that racial discrimination still exists Whites deny that racial discrimination still exists –In part because of the lack of reports –Affirmative action plans are in place 10 Most Racism Moments in the Media – Superficial multiculturalism Superficial multiculturalism

F. Henry Racism in the MediaA Newspapers and TV depict minorities as villains Newspapers and TV depict minorities as villains –Caricatures from colonial pasts and foreign identities –Hassling police –Marginalize people of colour –Racialization of crime –Stereotyping eventually and directly influences popular opinion

ContinuedA Mass media is a source of beliefs and values of how we see the world Mass media is a source of beliefs and values of how we see the world People of colour are not placed as much in the news or in advertising or in programming People of colour are not placed as much in the news or in advertising or in programming Racialization of people of colour occurs when they are presented as social problems Racialization of people of colour occurs when they are presented as social problems Reproduction of white values, norms and images Reproduction of white values, norms and images Biases attitudes and practices of media professionals Biases attitudes and practices of media professionals Portrayal of Black Women Portrayal of Black Women