The Delicate Issue of Race in Movies/TV Shows

Here is the basic point:

1. We are constantly bombarded by the media, which ultimately shape our culture
2. There has been a social movement to end racism

1 + 2 = the media is changing too slowly compared to how the real society is changing with social issues such as racism.

Yes, I understand that TV/ movies are mostly for entertainment (and that's why we are "amusing ourselves to death" according to Postman, but that's a whole another issue), and stereotypical characteristics of a certain group can be used as an entertainment value (eg. the way Black people talk or fat people are lazy). However, some people get affended and ask the question, is this right? Is this okay to portray certain social stereotypes on movies and television shows that the consumers watch to ultimately form different ideologies of the real society?

Well, according to CNN, movies have been improving the roles of hispanic women. It's only recent that these hispanic actresses - such as Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Alba - get roles such as housewives or any prominent figures rather than maids or nannies (which is the way it has been long time ago?). Well, IT'S ABOUT TIME. There are approximately 48.4 million hispanics in the United States, constituting up to 16% of the total population. Isn't it about time that we portray these enormous amount of population right? The media is too focused on making fun of this ethinicity - like Pez from That 70's Show. However, if the media or entertainment industries haven't noticed, there are tons of successful hispanic people in United States. Seriously, it's about time we give some credits to the hispanic population in the United States, and portray them properly for the entire world to see.

I guess we cannot forget the importance of The Cosby Show on the influence of deminishing racism on media. The idea of portraying Black family as an upper middle class that is not different than any other white upper middle class was a revolutionary idea back then. This show helped to improve the images of regular Black families, and implied that everyone can succeed if they get proper education and work hard. This show ultimately changed the perspective other White people had on Black families, seeing that Cosbys are like their own family. Thus, from analyzing the effects of The Cosby Show, we can be hopeful about how media's change in their portrayal of social issues can influence the audiences' ideas about newly emerging cultures in the United States.

So, why is an Asian girl talking about racism over Hispanics and Blacks? Well, because there is this really slow improvement in media in portrayal of Asians. Except for Aaron Yoo, from Disturbia, or Branda Song from Suit Life of Zach & Cody, there hasn't been much "normal" portrayal of Asians in the movies/TV shows. They are always people who can't speak english, or girls who are sluts. Or the most typical: nerds. However, there are a lot of Asian Americans who go through identity crisises because they do not fit any of those categories. Like some of my Asian friends would say, "I don't fit that Asian stereotype, I am not good at math". But isn't it time to break that stereotype sometime soon, when there are so many second and third generations of Asian Americans in United States, living a normal American life?

All in all, media is very powerful tool in shaping peole's thoughts and ideologies. I see some changes that are good, but overall it needs to change bit more quickly.