In your opinion is race under represented or over represented in TV dramas.
In my opinion is under represented in Tv dramas although this doesn't mean that it is not present because it is, it just means it's not key in TV dramas. For example Hotel Babylon showed different ethnic groups as immigrants. Ethnicity is also portrayed in Eastenders through the different families- for example the Masoods. Another tv drama with shows race and ethnicity is Luther as he is the main character.
Ethnicity vs race
Ethnicity- An ethnic group or ethnicity is a population group whose members identify with each other on the basis of common nationality or shared cultural traditions.
Ethnicity connotes shared cultural traits and a shared group history. Some ethnic groups also share linguistic or religious traits, while other share a common history but not a common language or religion.
Race- The term race refers to the concept of diving people into populations or groups on the basis of various sets of physical characteristics (which usually result from genetic ancestry).
Race presumes shared biological or genetic traits, whether actual or asserted. In early 19th century, racial differences were ascribed significance in areas of intelligence, health and personality. There is no evidence validating these ideas.
Representation of race in the media can consist of the same sort of rigid stereotypes that constitute gender portrayal.
Stereotyping of race is seen as more harmful than stereotyping of gender, as media representation may e the only experience of contact with a particular ethnic group that an audience may have (especially children and young people)
Racial stereotypes are often based on social myth preheated down the ages.
Race remains a hot issue on Uk TV, because it's always going to attract headline!]Often linked with immigration and questions of national identity- what does it mean to be British in the 2010's?
Alvarado's Race Theory (1978)
Four key themes in racial representation:
- exotic
- dangerous
- humorous
- pitied
Black racial stereotypes.
Stereotypes: Positive and negative stereotypes are often seen in contemporary British media.
- Musicians- Jazz, Hip-hop and soul
- sportsmen and women
- comedians
- criminals
- socially dysfunctional
- prostitue/ sexually promiscuous
- the stud/ pimp.
Moral Panics.
Described as a condition, episode, person or group of persons which emerge to become defined as a threat to societal values and interest (Cohen, 1972)
1970s the image of the black mugger
1980s the image of rioter
1990s gangsta, gun crimes etc.
2000s media focus shifts to Muslims
Tokenism-
Tokenism is a practice of limited inclusion or artistic and/or political representation of members of a traditionally marginalised group, usually creating a false appearance of inclusive practices rather than discrimination. These characters are often represented as blue collar workers.
E.G Purposely including a member of a minority race such as a black character in an all white cast.
Middle Eastern origin-
Like other minority groups in the UK, may people of middle eastern origin are frequently represented as…
Blue collar workers (Working class)- shop- workers/ owners, cab drivers etc…
This stereotype most likely originates from old colonialist views which placed white british people as superior and elite compared to those "from the colonies".
Also, when many immigrants from this part of the world began to arrive in the Uk seeking employment, many found job opportunities in the service area.
As with other minority groups in British TV, middle eastern actors were frequently cast in servile roles with the focus of drama being on the experiences of white british,.
Other common stereotypes of people from middle eastern backgrounds are: Studious and well-educated- Jobs as scientists or DR's
Family-oriented.
Patriarchal, traditional and misogynist- reinforced by recent headlines and TV drama story lines about honour killings and forced marriages.
These stereotypes are the result of the clash between western and eastern cultures and religions, with the dominant view (The western view) taking precedence in media texts.
Islamophobia-
Since the events of 9/11 there has been a growth in "Islamophobia"- a irrational fear of Muslims as people bent on imposing their religious and political views on the rest of society.
Media texts have perpetuated this negative stereotype through the use of crude and exaggerated stereotypes.
Stereotype: Asian people as terrorists and villains.
Other minority groups in the UK
Eastern Europeans (EG Polish)- Whilst many people from eastern Europe now live in the Uk, they remain under-represented in British TV Drama.
Recently, both Coronation Street & Eastenders featured Polish workers as cheap labour. Their roles, however, were limited to little more than extras, barely even a "Token" representation of this group!
Their cultural difference and heritage remains untouched upon.
Whilst Corrie has one Polish character, her role is limited to factory worker- another classic example of tokenism.
Far Eastern Origin
Not common in TV Drama
- General stereotype:
-Clever
- Computer experts
-technicians, excellent with technology,
- Exclusively Japanese characters in Sci-fi movies.
Hotel Babylon….
Polite black man, giving his assistance, saying hello to passers by.
"7 years man"
"Never beta blud"
"Booze, girls"
"Bro"
"Man"
Sophisticated vs stereotypical.
"Know wha I'm sayinnnn?"
Hair in dreadlocks wearing chains
Slight zoom shot of Benjamin, when he says "Thats the Benjamin I know", showing he isn't like that any more he regrets his old life.
Cleaners- Eastern European. Cheap labour.
Paying for strip tease
Close up of British workers- jump shot between them- showing their posh attire- they must have high authority in this hotel- they look well paid.
Cooks- Italian- "Ah Madam, Welcome, welcome, welcome to my engine room" kiss of the fingers
"Just get on with it you English Pleb"- angry- rude.
At the beginning of the clip of Hotel babylon shown, there is a black worker assisting a guest at the hotel. This suggests that he is helpful and as he sees passers by he says hello- suggesting he is polite. This is a representation which suggest a counter stereotype of black people- especially due to his attire, he is wearing a suit and tie and looks very smart. The reason his attire is a counter stereotype is because Black people stereotypically have their hair in dreadlocks, bright coloured clothes with lots of tattoos. This man however do not appear to be wearing any of this things, suggesting he does not hold the stereotype. However he is soon joined by another black character who appears to be an old friend. This character is seen as very stereotypical for a black man. He uses words such was "Man", "Bro", "Blud" stereotypically suggesting people of black racial background speak in such an informal way. This character also says about having a party where there will be "Booze and girls", this shows where this characters priorities are. Stereotypically suggesting black raced people like to party and are key to the male gaze- they want to look at girls. The scene shows the sophisticated counter stereotype vs the stereotypical. When the stereotypical character says "That's the Benjamin I know" there is a zoom shot on Benjamin's face, showing he is uncomfortable and not happy about who he used to be, he is happy in his job as he mentions "It all comes with the job".
The next scene we see the ethnicity of eastern european workers. This automatically represents the stereotypical eastern european worker as a cleaner- this is cheap labour. These cleaners then enter a room with an older asian male sitting on the bed. The camera then pans to 2 piles of money, this implies he is wanting something from these women. He then turns of the radio, suggesting he is waiting for a strip tease. This creates a very negative stereotype on this character and his ethnicity because it implies he is paying for the male gaze to exploit these women's bodies for his own enjoyment. Additionally, stereotypically Asian people tend to be very clever and therefore have well paid jobs, this represents how he would be able to fund for this exploitation of these women and it wouldn't even affect him. Especially as it eels to be quite a lot of money on the table.
The net scene we see two british workers. Shots jump from either character. This helps show how they are dressed. This use of outfits as mise-en-scene help show their ethnicity as it stereotypically shows they are well off and have lots of money, this may imply they have a good job- they must be very high up in this hotel.
