1. Representation
and Ethnicity
Representation
and Ethnicity

2. Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
Ethnicity, like sex, is a set of genetically defined,
biological characteristics. However, like gender, it is
also a set of culturally defined characteristics.
Representation of race in the media can consist of the
same sort of rigid stereotypes that constitute gender
portrayal. However, stereotyping of race is seen as
more harmful than stereotyping of gender, as media
representation may constitute the only experience of
contact with a particular ethnic group that an audience
(particularly an audience of children) may have.
Ethnicity, like sex, is a set of genetically defined,
biological characteristics. However, like gender, it is
also a set of culturally defined characteristics.
Representation of race in the media can consist of the
same sort of rigid stereotypes that constitute gender
portrayal. However, stereotyping of race is seen as
more harmful than stereotyping of gender, as media
representation may constitute the only experience of
contact with a particular ethnic group that an audience
(particularly an audience of children) may have.

3. Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
Racial stereotypes are often based on social
myth, perpetuated down the ages. Thus, the
media depiction of, say, Native American
Indians, might provide a child with their only
experience of Native American Indian culture
and characters, and may provide that child with
a set of narrow prejudices which will not be
challenged elsewhere within their experience.
Racial stereotypes are often based on social
myth, perpetuated down the ages. Thus, the
media depiction of, say, Native American
Indians, might provide a child with their only
experience of Native American Indian culture
and characters, and may provide that child with
a set of narrow prejudices which will not be
challenged elsewhere within their experience.

4. Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
Most work on Race & The Media has
concentrated on the representation of black
men and women. This has partly been because
there is a strong African-American counter-
culture which provides viable alternative role
models and demands that they are represented.
Most work on Race & The Media has
concentrated on the representation of black
men and women. This has partly been because
there is a strong African-American counter-
culture which provides viable alternative role
models and demands that they are represented.

5. Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
In recent years, the success of actors such as
Denzel Washington, Whoopi Goldberg, Laurence
Fishburne and Morgan Freeman in a diversity of
roles has meant that black characters in movies
and on TV are no longer 'stock' types.
In recent years, the success of actors such as
Denzel Washington, Whoopi Goldberg, Laurence
Fishburne and Morgan Freeman in a diversity of
roles has meant that black characters in movies
and on TV are no longer 'stock' types.

6. Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
However, there are many negative
representations of black people, portrayals
which seem deliberately designed to inflame the
fear and hatred of other cultures - how positive
a representation is the archetypal African-
American gangster?
However, there are many negative
representations of black people, portrayals
which seem deliberately designed to inflame the
fear and hatred of other cultures - how positive
a representation is the archetypal African-
American gangster?

7. Representation of EthnicityRepresentation of Ethnicity
Attention is now being paid to the
representation of other ethnic groups, notably
Asian Americans and Latinos, who represent a
much larger proportion of the US population
than their TV coverage would suggest. Things
are changing - on the one hand the success of
John Woo and Ang Lee in Hollywood is pushing
the boundaries back for Asian Americans, and
the Latin Music Explosion of 1999 has led to
much wider acceptance of Latino performers.
Attention is now being paid to the
representation of other ethnic groups, notably
Asian Americans and Latinos, who represent a
much larger proportion of the US population
than their TV coverage would suggest. Things
are changing - on the one hand the success of
John Woo and Ang Lee in Hollywood is pushing
the boundaries back for Asian Americans, and
the Latin Music Explosion of 1999 has led to
much wider acceptance of Latino performers.

8. Common Representation of
Ethnicity
Common Representation of
Ethnicity
African decent
- Gangster
- “Token black guy’’
- Impoverished
- Criminal
- Victim
- Hero
African decent
- Gangster
- “Token black guy’’
- Impoverished
- Criminal
- Victim
- Hero

9. Common Representations of
Ethnicity
Common Representations of
Ethnicity
Asian decent
• Intelligent
• Martial artist
• Obsessed with electronics
• Quirky or weak
• Lack emotion
• Women can be seen as
ditzy in some cases
Asian decent
• Intelligent
• Martial artist
• Obsessed with electronics
• Quirky or weak
• Lack emotion
• Women can be seen as
ditzy in some cases

10. Common Representations of
Ethnicity
Common Representations of
Ethnicity
Latino decent
• Ugly
• Uneducated
• Silly/not taken seriously
• Illegal aliens
• Partiers
• Involved in drugs
(dealing/taking)
• Sex symbols (Antonio Banderez,
Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek).
Latino decent
• Ugly
• Uneducated
• Silly/not taken seriously
• Illegal aliens
• Partiers
• Involved in drugs
(dealing/taking)
• Sex symbols (Antonio Banderez,
Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek).

11. Common Representations of
Ethnicity
Common Representations of
Ethnicity
Middle Eastern (Arabic) decent
• Terrorists/violent
• Very religious
• Physically strong
• Strict/stern/not a push over
• Serious
• Victims
• Villains/rarely seen as heroes
Middle Eastern (Arabic) decent
• Terrorists/violent
• Very religious
• Physically strong
• Strict/stern/not a push over
• Serious
• Victims
• Villains/rarely seen as heroes

12. Common Representations of
Ethnicity
Common Representations of
Ethnicity
White British/American
• Powerful:
physical/intellectual
• Often the hero
• Serial killer
• In charge (dominant race)
• Lead role
White British/American
• Powerful:
physical/intellectual
• Often the hero
• Serial killer
• In charge (dominant race)
• Lead role

13. Useful termsUseful terms
• Cultural differences
• Immigrant
• Stereotypical workplace e.g.
Indian corner shop
• Racism
• Community
• Cultural differences
• Immigrant
• Stereotypical workplace e.g.
Indian corner shop
• Racism
• Community
• Integrated, integration
• Multi cultural
• Music
• Subculture
• Inequality
• Accent, dialect

14. Bradford RiotsBradford Riots
• http://youtu.be/lJYBX64PdV8
• Watch the opening 5 minutes of “Bradford Riots” 4
times. Remember not to make notes on the first
viewing but you may on the 2nd
, 3rd
and 4th
viewings.
• After viewing make a note on what the clip has to
say about ethnicity. Is it being represented in a
positive or negative way? Are there stereotypical
or racist representations/attitudes in the clip?