Network television is a key method for shaping culture and its many stereotypes. An important way this occurs is through the construction of ideal types (or prototypes). Any look at Primetime television programming quickly reveals prototypes at work on the American psyche. This is most evident in its presentation of the ideal American family. For decades, American television families did not reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of real American people. This is slowly changing. In tonight's class, we examine the history of this change presented in Marlon Riggs 1991 documentary Color Adjustment.FOR NEXT WEEK...
READING: Chapter 11 "Race at the Movies"
PROJECT: Submit final research paper (7-10pgs)
MEDIA: Your choice.
- JOURNAL SEVEN - Select any television show (preferably one you watch regularly or are somewhat familiar with). Analyze two of the show's regular characters - ideally, you will want to choose two characters of different race, gender or economic backgrounds. Compare and contrast how these two characters are depicted in the show. What racial or ethnic stereotypes are present? Does race or ethnicity inhibit any character from evolving or changing during the show? What does this comparison indicate about racial or ethnic representation?
25 comments:
The two sitcoms I have chosen were Everybody Loves Raymond and The George Lopez Show. They are about two families-one Italian and one Mexican. They both are similar in context whereas both men are bothered by their mothers.
In the Barone's family, Ray's mother shows much motherly love to her son who states that he hates it, but on the otherhand finds himself to be a "momma's boy". He takes her advice over his wife. He can't seem to make decisions w/o her advice. In other words, she pampers him.
In George's case his mother is completely the opposite. She does not show affection to her son, who wants it from her. He feels that she is always belittling him. She makes him feel unloved when he looks to her for kind words.(She wants him to stand up and be a Man.) The females portrayed in Ray's home are homemakers, whereas in George's family they work.
Work also differs in both families. Ray is a Sports Writer, his brother is a police officer. George is a factory worker and everyone around him (like his mom) are factory workers. This is his family/friends lifestyles. No one makes six-digits.
The representation shown here is White America vs. Latino America, and white outweighs latino.
The comparison of both families tells us that the minority race like the Lopezs will always be struggling to get where the white man is at (Barone),both financially and independently. Ray is living comfortable and George is always looking to make end's meet.
When a minority sees this, they start to realize that they could not reach the same level of security as in Ray's home. He has a family that can support him in times of need. George doesn't-they are laborers. Minorities find they will always have someone or something to hold them back in order to move forward.
Bessie
The George Lopez Show, two families one Mexican , and one Italian with similar context. They used humor and hard work to deal with the challeges and adversity face by all working families. This series showed th broken ground by focusing on a Latino family in which its success concreted the way for other Latino shows. Both character are interruped and diturbed by their mother's . George's mother does not show affection for his son, his mother wanted her son to be a men of the family. Ray is pamped by his mother as a "momma"s Boy" The scene show how minority races struggle to reach the level Whites are in Network Televion. Time has changed an scritinizing television's racial Myths and stereotype has disappeared and African Americans are not letting on one to hold them back in order to succeed. People shoul not prejudice by the color of skin,everyone in this world has the right to have challeges and be successful in whatever they want. Race relations should be equal in this society and have peace and avoid racial conflicts.
Martha fuentes
While viewing the movie "Color Ajustment" I learned a lot about black people in the media. I grew up on a lot of all white shows such as Bewitched and I love lucy, which I really enjoyed. I had no idea when I was watching these shows as a little girl the world was in such turmoil. The T.V. shows were so pure, safe, and just so white. Black shows in the 40's,50's and 60's were so racist. Most often they portrayed black people in such a negative image, for example domestics that seemed happy to serve white people. they also had to be blacker, than usually big eyes and smiling all the time looking like a fool. At that time it was exceptable as years went on T.V. shows began to show black people in a more positive image.TTribble
The television program I watched last week in class was called Color Adjustment. One of the clips that was showed was Amos and Andy which portrayed black men as lazy and stupid. Back then black people played in roles that were expected of them. The white shows back then were made so wholesome and trouble free while on the other hand the black shows were portraying them and lazy and stupid. The shows that had maybe one black person in it Julia staring Diane Carroll was like a white wholesome show
Well, since I am not a TV show viewer on a regular basis, I had to choose from the shows shown in the documentary “Color Adjustment” seen in class last week.
The first being “Julia” starring Dianne Carole. I enjoyed this show and find that Julia was depicted as a “white” Afro-American. Obviously, at the time the networks were cautious about how she was portrayed. She was a professional (nurse) who was wedged very comfortably into the white stereotype of a TV family. She was raising a child alone, similar to “Father Knows Best” and “Courtship of Eddie’s Father”, so it was a mold they followed. I don’t think she was depicted in any way derogatory, accept from what I remember, Julia never seemed to fit in with the stereotypical black family. They seemed to stretch way out to make her as “white” as they could.
The second being “The Donna Reed Show” starring Donna Reed. They were actually stereotypically whiter than most families I knew. As typical as my own family was, the mom with the apron and the dad in the business suit and briefcase was so not the seen in my home. Mom worked secularly at the FED for 20 years and Dad was in the army, a laborer all his life, a volunteered as a cook in a homeless shelter for 16 years.
Donna was a typical mother, as was Julia, in that the care of her child/children was their focus. Donna did not work out of the home. However, I imagine these two women could have been neighbors and easier been melded into one description. I feel Donna was stereotyped more than Julia.
While watching the film "Color Adjustment", the clip that caught my attention was on Amos And Andy. I wanted to speak on this particular clip because it portrayed black men as being lazy and stupid, and this is something I have been seeing alot of. It seems as though we the black people are picked to do these roles becuase obviously this is what they think of us as. I saw alot of the white families living the luxurious life, while the black shows except for the Cosby show lived as poor black families. I just feel as though we should have more shows that show the whole truth and not just what people want to see.
One television show I have been watching over the years is American Idol. The characters I have chosen are the two judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. Paula Abdul is an African-American woman who is a singer/dancer entertainer and Simon Cowell is a Caucasian British man and the executive producer of the show. The stereotype, which is presented in the show, is that he is the man and he is the more dominant figure and she is a woman and should stay in her place. The fact that Paula is African-American she is viewed inferior in society. In my opinion, some times Simon treats her as if she is an "air headed" woman and disregards her comment about the contestants who are on the show. I think Simon believes because he is the one funding the show he controls everything. I believe because of his British background women are looked upon as being the "weaker" sex. It goes back to the stereotype when men are the one who work to take care of the household and women are suppose to be home "barefoot and pregnant." This indicates no matter what "its a man's world." Simon being white and the comments he makes towards Paula, being an African-American woman, may prevent her from progressing to produce her own reality show. I believe she is holding back her feelings about things on the show because Simon is the one who "signs her paychecks."
J. Johnson
The two sitcoms I chose were The King of Quens and Girlfriends. Doug is a U.P.S. Driver
He lives with his fatherin law and his wife Carie. they make a great couple. Doug in todays standards he is an average Joe living the american dream. The other show I like to watch is caled Girlfriends this show is about thre women who have a close relationship also revealing their lives in diferent phases some girl friends more successfull. also there is also a guy that is involed with the girls named Wiliam. Wiliam is a succesful layer, he has a big house and drives a fancy car. I can compare and contrast the two in this way. Here we have a black man who is wealthy on the show however william is also single on the show and hes had several relationships that some how did not work out. On the othehand Doug is a U.P.S. driver he has a wife and a modest home. The message to me is it dosent matter what kind a car you drive or where you work.you have to be proud of your acomplishments no mater how big or small .t trible
In the movie color adjustment it took you from the beginning of African American in television to the present.In a lot of the older shows it potrayed African Americans as stupid people and poor people.In many of the shows it showed African Americans subservant to whites.I have probably seen every episode of the shows that was portrayed in the movie, even though i don't watch much television now, you never forget what was put in front of you.And even though a lot of racism and prejudice went on in those shows we still watched them daily.
Michelle J
The two sitcoms I like to watch is Girlfriends and Sex in the City. Gorlfriends is about four African-American women who lives in Los Angeles. These ladies focus on the bonds tht keep friendship together. This show deal with human issues and relationships between friends. They always have each other for support. Sex in the City is about four Caucasian women living in New york City. This siticom is about sex and relationships. Joan from Girlfriends is depicted as a strong intelligent and successful business woman, who is very cautious who she sleeps with. Miranda from Sex in the City is depicted as self-assurred and proud of ther achivements. She was made partner in a law firm. She struggled with relationships with men but, finally she met a men who she made her happy.
This comparison mean ladies of all color and background have issues in their social lives.
Linda
I watch several sitcoms, but the two that will discuss in my journal are Desperate Housewives and Girlfriends. Desperate Housewives are about four white american women who are somewhat dysfunctional and are always experiencing some kind of drama in their lives. (Eva Longoria) is my favorite. I like her character, and she wears all the latest fashions. I love clothes I wish I had her money. There is something always going on with one of them especially Eva. (Her real name). Two of them are married one is going through or went through an ugly divorce, and the other lady is about to get married again. She has a teenage daughter who is dating her first real boyfriend. (Right now I cannot remember names). My other show is Girlfriends. This show is also about four women. Only these women are African American who are also somewhat dysfunctional and have experienced some of life's trials and tribulations. Maya, Joan, Lynne and Tonie. Tonie was married, she has a teenage son, Lynne and Joan aren't married they are definately confused. Especially Joan. Joan also wears nice clothes. She now owns a restaurant with her best friend William. Although William is a friend of all of them he is closer to Joan because she seems to be the most stable one in his eyes. Maya is divorced from a white American male, who's a Doctor. They are all very close with one another and spend a great deal of time together. What interests me most about these shows is each of these women represent their own character and they are not afraid to say or do whatever it is that they have to. These shows are also hilarious and most of the times their experiences relate to something that I can identify with in my life. I also enjoy watching these shows because they entertain me.
Cathy
I did not like the movie, Josephing Baker. No sound. I did like the movie called "Color Adjustment". The only positive role model we had was Donna Reed show. And she was white. And finally we had Diane Carroll, a s black nurse, who was a single mom. I thought that show was okay. But I hope she had gotten marry. Wanda G.
I'm not a regular TV person, I couldn't tell you the last time I was able to sit and watch a sitcom. I will reflect on the movie Color Adjustment. I found this very interesting, viewing the history of black media entertainment. It's sad to admit after all these years the media hasn't changed, they just cleaned it up a little. Well I guess I should say some are not as blatant as others.
-Benita
I can not really think of any shows sitcom I watch because as fast as they come one the fast they are off. My schedule makes it had for me to watch TV. But I can agree with Linda post. Girlfriends and Sex in the City are similar in many ways it just that it is a black and white version. The number one thing all women have in common is MEN. In the two shows this is the one of the main focus. These two shows what women go though each day, it does matter if black or white.
melissa
there isn't alot of black sitcoms that i watch on television. i watch alot of white sitcom. such my soap operas. now alot of the soap opera have a lot of african americans in them. i also watch girlfriends, which is a very fumnny, and real life senerios that everyone can relate to.
there isn't alot of black sitcoms that i watch on television. i watch alot of white sitcom. such my soap operas. now alot of the soap opera have a lot of african americans in them. i also watch girlfriends, which is a very fumnny, and real life senerios that everyone can relate to.
Color Adjustment by Marlon T. Riggs spoke about Amos and Andy as lazy, good for nothing black men and that it was a racist show. How Belua the maid too great care in and much awarness of her employess children and non in her own. She was always happy when with the white children. Nat king Cole was a black man who was considered a gentlman, but his show only lasted for one season. It also spoke about how a television show can promote sales of a project with in a particular community. The show Good Times represented a poor black family living in the project. I remembr Ester Rolle doing an interview regarding her character Florida Evan. She said the original script was written with out a father, but she stood her grounds and refused to do the show unless the gave her a husband and her children a father. Everybody know that Archie Bunker being a racist. S.A.
The media has always been a vehicle for transmitting negative images of BLACK MEN as lazy and no good. The Colr Adjustment did just that, Andy and Amos were happy folks and imbecilic. Diane Carroll in Julia, a smart beautiful black woman with a son without a father, Good Time a family struggling to stay afloat. All the White shows had a father, Mother , two children, adog or cat, car and a white picket fence and everyone happy. Sonja
I loved the cosby show, it was portrayed as a middle class africian american family, which help changed the stereotype of african american family in television.
Maria
The two sitcom that I choose is Everyboby Hates Chris and Bernie Mac Show. They both shows African American families and the struggle that they have to endure. In Everybody hates Chris the family struggle when it comes to money, while in Bernie Mac he stays being the disciplinarian. He does afraid to spank the kids. Everybody hates Chris she yells and scream all the time.
Carol J.
I have to say that i recongized alot of shows in "color Ajustment", Some of them i did not but it is very clear that balck people have come a long way in televsion. The one thing that i truly noticed was when they said that Ester Rolle for Good Times, After readig the script asked "where is my husband?". I am so happy that she truned down the role unless they gave her a husband. It made me feel proud because she was making the statement that blacks believe in marrige like other, like that is part of our culture as well not just being single women on welfare. Thank You Ester Rolle :)
Octavia
Later Days :)
"Color Adjustment" is a historical documentary about the era in Network Television in the 50's,60,70's, to the 21st century. The documentary showed the issues that are importance to society (interracial marriage, racism, NAACP, civil rights, religion, etc.) Equally, showed the escapism through network television of glorifying issues that don't exist in society. Making it colorful, rich, and pleasant.
Network Television used it's market to only make rating grades.
Everybody hates chris and the cosby show are two sitcoms that show difference and distraction. In the cosby show, both parents have good jobs, they both went to college, they have a house, and there kids go to good schools. In everybody hates Chris both parents work but they work hard, the father works about 2 jobs and the mother always looses her job. The kids go to regular public school, the parents always yelling at the kids, the older son has to watch the younger siblings until on of the parents get home from work.
Karen T.
I would like to contemplate the life of the Jefferson's compared to Good Times. The american psyche evolves around money. ALthough in Good Times the house was "shabby" and financial struggles of the family were constantly addressed, there was love and that didn't cost them a dime. You love each other enough that if you don't have, I have, and together, under God, we are okay. Its like a group project, if you don't type fast you have other assets to contribute such as accuracy. Or I type and you write, but together we get an "A."
Growing up with shows like the Bready Bunch and Bewitched seeing Color Adjustment taught me somethings I didn't know about blacks and the media. Earlier TV didn't have many positive black role models unless you wanted to be a maid. Until Julia came on. I just wish she wasn't a single parent, that just gives the impression that black women have babies and no husband.
Jeannie
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