Ethnic Notions

This movie was primarily about the ways that African Americans were presented in American media. Today, the media reflects society’s overall view of different issues. The fact that Brittney Spears cut her hair, and that Anna Nicole Smith died, are apparently very important. This is proven because they are displayed all over the news, for no apparent reason, other than the fact that they are celebrities. Anna Nicole Smith was known most for an appearance in a Men’s Entertainment magazine, which has had a large impact that many view as negative on our society. But as a country, when we mourn our dead, we always esteem them as good. In the earlier times of our country, our media showed us how blacks were esteemed. In many productions, they are given monkey faces, and made to look like buffoons. This is probably because the public viewed African Americans as idiots, who couldn’t help themselves from looking stupid. They were also placed in roles that were unimportant, often seen sitting, or making music, never doing something “important”. This was inadvertently ingraining the fact that blacks were lazy into young people’s heads. The TV shows also encouraged stereotypes, which had much deeper meanings than portrayed; such as a large black female nanny. At first glance, it just looks like a nanny cares for the kids, and has love in her heart despite her circumstances. But at the same time is speaks on a lot more, in that the nanny does not have a man in her life. She is not a sexual being of any sort; also, it speaks badly on the actual mother, who we seldom see. She is off doing something either important, or bathing, or spending money. It shows the audience, that the mother does not care about the children as much as the nanny does. Many “under the radar” allusions are made. In today’s society, noting of this sort is possible. Lawsuits and racial hate crimes would occur if a network tried to show a television show demeaning a certain race. The only things that come close are comedic shows, which get most of their laughs, by crossing the moral normalcy line. This movie is a great awakening for people who do not believe the media is important, or that it is influential. This movie shows the unique relationship between the media, and the people. The media needs people to create stories, and the people need the media to compare their lives to those other than their own.