Perhaps since its inception, TV contents have perpetuated negative racial and or ethnic stereotypes, which for most part actively create or reinforce audiences' existing perceptions. This media platform steadily legitimizes the status quo by providing explanations for why subordinating groups such as African-Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asians, just to mention a few deserve to be in their 'assigned positions.' This racial groups have seemingly been marginalized, and are often under-represented, and sometimes demeaned on TV (one of the mainstream media) in stereotypical ways.
For instance, most ABC family shows, such as 'Black-ish, Fresh Off The Boat, the Golbergs, among others, have been intentionally designed to portray stereotypes of black, Asian, and white family sub-cultures.
One would say, oh, it is just a family entertainment. But, the question is, wouldn't such racial stereotypes shows create systematic racism, thereby cultivating and inflaming what actually exist in the real world? Especially, when there are already racially assigned stigma out there. For example, some shows and even news stories portray African-Americans as the mammy (big, mean, loud mother figure), the coon (lazy, unreliable buffoon), the buck (savage, ruthless brute), and the tom (submissive, loyal slave). Similarly, Latinos-Americans have been known in popular media as the comic (unintelligent, lazy buffoons), the Latin lover (oversexed, promiscuous seducers), and the crook (violent, law-breaking criminals).
One would think that TV content, as it is supposed to be a dominant socio-cultural agent that influence racial attitudes and racial targeted policy preference, should be fairly presented, void of any negative stereotypes. Although, TV contents have improve a little bit from this direction, media stakeholders should totally desist from using stereotypical approach in carrying any type of message (be it news, entertainment, and what have you). TV is a visual media that is a powerful source of information that helps everyone understand himself and others. It also defines what is normal and acceptable behavior in the society. Therefore, it should portray contents that are fairly represented among all racial and or ethnic group, especially the minority, who are vulnerable.
http://abc.go.com/shows/blackish/episode-guide/season-02/14-sink-or-swim
Excellent post. I will pose a question: Can stereotypes be useful if they are part of otherwise inclusive content? For example, the Black-ish episode you linked addresses the stereotype of blacks not being able to swim. Granted, I didn't watch the episode, but what if the show were to use that stereotype only to challenge or dismiss it?
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