MIDTERM ON CHAPTER CAPTIONS , HEADLINES ,DIGITAL JOURNALISM
Representation, Stereotype, and Counter Representation
MCM253-Visual Culture
1
What is representation?
Representation is the production of the meaning of the concepts in our minds through language.
There are two relevant meanings for the term representation:
To represent something is to describe it, to call it up in the mind by description or portrayal or imagination.
To represent also means to symbolize to stand for, to substitute for.
Types of Ethnic Group Representations
Benign representation
Stereotype.
Counter representation.
Types of Ethnic or Groups of People Representation
Benign representation:
This is a careful, reflective description or symbolic characterization of group people. Example: Indians wear colorful clothes in their weddings.
Benign representation Examples
Haldi Ceremony
On the morning of the wedding, the Haldi ceremony is held. In this tradition, both sides of the family spread a mixture of oil, water over the skin and clothes of the bride and groom.
Mandap
In traditional Indian weddings, the ceremony takes place under a Mandap, which is a four-pillared canopy. It is customary for the Mandap to be decorated with bright colors.
Revisiting Stereotypes
A stereotype is fixed generalization on a preconception. On a benign level, when we use stereotype, we ignore individual characteristics, and emphasize group characteristics.
Stereotypes
Stereotypes are usually associated with an ethnic group, nationality, or race.
Some of the stereotypes do not sound negative, but they are still biased. An example is Asians are genuine in math.
Stereotypes
A negative stereotype could portray a negative image about the group.
Americans are junk food lovers.
Mexicans are lazy.
Stereotypes
Some stereotypes are extremely harmful and racist and position a group as an enemy of the other groups.
Examples:
Muslims are terrorists.
Muslims who believe in Sharia are terrorists
https://video.foxnews.com/v/5036444136001#sp=show-clips
Counter Representation
Counter representation:
Counter representation is a response to a stereotype. There are three ways to create a counter representation:
By showing the good morals of the group.
By Reflecting reality without embellishing or worsening it.
By criticizing the stereotype
Counter Representation
Showing the good morals
This occurs when showing or reflecting the positive side of the group. This way of counter representation can be found in movies when you show the good morals and good of the group of people, or show their cause.
Counter Representation
Reflecting reality without embellishing or worsening it.
This way of counter representation will lead a stereotype to vanish. This occurs when representation admits people are different in tolerance, and attitudes, but respectful to other people.
By criticizing the stereotype: This can happen when those who are known for ‘creating’ the stereotype criticize it, OR when getting the stereotyped group to speak up.
What should you focus on your presentation?
You should make the Invisible representations, Stereotypes, and counter representations visible by pointing to them.
How to analyze representation ? Presentation 2
1- Choose an ethic group: Arab men, Arab women, Asian, African American, etc.
2- Look up common representations and/or stereotypes online.
How to analyze representation ? Presentation 2
3- What does the movie denote?
Denotation: What the audience sees and hears is denotative, it is what it is and they don’t have to strive to recognize it. In this second part of the presentation, I want you to explain the plot. The plot is what happens in the movie. So basically, I want you to tell us Briefly the story of the movie and what it is about.
You need to explain, Do Not Read.
Use bullet points about the sequences of events in the movie to remind you with the story.
How to analyze representation ? Presentation 2
3- What does the movie connote?
Connotation
Explain the main message behind the movie.
Explain the implied meanings that the movie communicates.
How to analyze representation ? Presentation 2
To examine representations, stereotypes and counter representation, you need to look into:
Language that accompanies the image.
The of image of the ethnic group: How the following features are portrayed
Their appearance: normal, too slim, overweight, etc
Their character: Organized, messy, normal, nosy, pushy, biased, objective, truthful, liars.
Their reliability: Reliable, careless, loser.
Their actions: brave, weak, violent.
How to analyze representation ? Presentation 2
To examine representations, stereotypes and counter representation, you need to look into:
4. What is the ideology inscribed to them?
5. What are values attributed to them? Example:
- Personal values: Tolerance, respect (of others and culture), Initiative.
- Social values: Family value, conservative, liberal, etc
How to analyze representation ? Presentation 2
4- How are groups situated in the movie?
Scenes of the movie do not attempt to negatively represent them.
The member of the ethnic group are situated into scenes that can be avoided and not affecting the movie plot.
What to conclude in Presentation 2? Presentation 2
Conclusion is not a general statement. In the conclusion, you should tell us:
How far the representations, stereotypes are from the reality (i.e. The level of media construction).
Movie review: Search for reviews about the movie. Summarize the review to tell us what critics are saying about the movie.