Discussion of GENDER AND DIVERSITY IN MEDIA

Hooks’ and Hall’s correlating ideas are both something to consider when consuming any type of media, whether it’s a movie or television program. Both of their ideas explain how media attempts to shape our opinions and the effect that different media outlets can have on the society around us. TV and film shape the way we think, and shapes the “norms” we often see in society.

Hooks’ ideas tell her audience that when consuming any form of media, we are often “seduced” into believing certain ideals that are portrayed in the media. Hooks uses the example of white supremacy and the negative connotation in the media on the basis of race and gender, specifically. Without consciously realizing it, society has been consuming media that portrays these aspects in a negative light. One specific example she gave was how a young African American believed that being white was more beautiful and “better” than being black, because of the media. If we ignore and do not come to terms with the often racist and sexist ideals that we see in movies and various TV programs, our society could further become wrapped up in a “white supremacy capitalistic patriarchy”, as Hooks puts it. Hall also believes in many of these ideas when it comes to consuming media. Hall’s ideas center around the fact that media further promotes and enforces societal standards, and can influence people into believing that these standards are something we should strive to achieve. He talks about how we should learn to decode these messages in the media to become more open minded and remove these classifications in society. We must form our own opinions and ideas to step away from the hidden messages the media is trying to shape society into believing.