Master Level Films and Media Research Paper

Running Head: RACISM AND SEXISM IN FILMS AND MEDIA 1

RACISM AND SEXISM IN FILMS AND MEDIA 11

The Portrayal of Racism and Sexism in Films and Media

Surya Chandra Guntupalli

Plan B

BCA 730

Central Michigan University

October 13, 2020

I. Introduction

a. Introducing the topic, theoretical basis for the research, and methodology

Films and associated media have long been active agents of numerous stereotypes that reflect and shape common prejudices. A few perceptions can be influenced by portrayals of the black men as criminals, the women as weaklings, and Asian women as sex objects. In recent times, there is an expanded consideration of bigotry and sexism in films, which can be reflected in who acts before the camera, who directs behind it, and how individuals are represented on-screen and frequently each of the three. In this regard, in illustrating how racial and sexual stereotypes have developed and continue to be perpetuated in films, this research will qualitatively analyze at least five films that are Oscar-eligible and which have been released since the second half of the 20th century.

b. Justification of the research

Films have for long propagated many examples of racist and sexist caricatures. Undeniably, to mention a few, the Blacks and Asians have been repeated targets. Therefore, it is justified to assert that the topic of films and associated media influencing racism and sexism in society is significant in research. In this regard, it would be wise to explore how films and the media continue in straightforward ways to contribute and portray racism and sexism.

II. Literature Review

Much research has been conducted and articles were written about the racism and gender or sexism perspectives represented in films and the media. Hunt (2019) in his research, notes that film and cinema stereotypes reflect and shape common prejudices (86). Perceptions are influenced by portrayals of Asians as nerdy, black men as dangerous and Latinas as fiery. To start with, in the current mediated society, much of what comes to pass as crucial is relied often on the stories produced and disseminated by the media. Most of what audiences know and care about is established on the pictures, symbols, and stories in films and the mainstream media.

Hunt continues to note that how individuals construct their social image, how they come to know what it means to be male, female, black, white, Asian, Latino, Native American whether in urban or rural areas is shaped by commodified texts produced by films and media for audiences that are popularly segmented by the social constructions of race and gender. The films and media in short, are central to what ultimately comes to represent social realities. While sex inequalities are rooted in biology, how people come to understand and perform gender is based on culture. Culture is viewed as a process through which people circulate and struggle over the meanings of their social experiences, social relations, and therefore their selves.

Brooks and Hébert (2006) note that, note that, similarly as sexual orientation is a social build through which a general public characterizes being male or female,additionally, the race is a social construction (301). Race can never again be viewed as a biological grouping, and it has little premise in science or genetics. Features like hair and skin color serve as imperfect indicators of race. The racial categories that are used to differentiate human differences are created and modified to satisfy the political, social and economic requirements of the society by films and the media.

As Jacobsen (2020) notes, in the early days and stages of film and media, African Americans struggled to represent their own stories, beliefs, opinions, and identities because White people controlled the entertainment industry and chose what images and stereotypes of Black people to portray. This study incorporated an understanding of Bandura's Learning Theory to gain an understanding of how media messages impact our belief and value system. This study examined what information was available to readers and viewers of the news media and how that information impacts people’s beliefs, emotions, and behaviors towards others. Specifically, as it relates to racial differences, stereotypes, racial micro-aggressions and perceptions of African American males. Major findings include examples and information related to racial micro-aggressions and the impacts as it relates to media exposure.

Jacobsen’s research also recognizes "identifier" word patterns using "black" and "white". The research offers a conclusion, that on average, “black” is used more times in both news reporting and films than "white". The over usage of the word “black” becomes a racial micro aggression because it conditions the mind to associate the word with negative connotation. Patterns of criminalization and justification are exposed. Black men are often criminalized and represented as violent in films and the media. As contrast, in the event of a White officer as the shooter of a Black man, the officer's actions are justified or supported regardless of the criminality of the officers own actions. In consideration with how race is presented in the media historically, it seems that this research shows a correlation that racism is likely still reinforced through films and news media whether conscience or not.

Films have continued to portray racist caricatures as well as stereotypes. It is undeniable that racism, in the form of job exclusion and racially stereotyped roles has defined the film industry (Hennekam, & Syed, 2018). Indeed, Asian characters in the early days of cinematography mostly appeared in the form of racist clichés. These clichés were either mysterious, menacing villains or laughable caricatures. Some racially distinct characters are played by entirely white American actors which make the actions to be examples of yellow faces where for instance, a non-black person impersonates a black person.

It has been a common practice in Hollywood since the filmmakers are reluctant to hire minority actors of any kind. Instead, they opted to use white actors in their place. This practice became self-reproducing. Asian communities have historically been frequently marginalized in the United States (U.S). According to Hennekam, and Syed (2018), most of their images in films on screen were not created by Asians or Asian Americans, but by people who did not even know much about them. As a result, a very strange idea of who Asians and Asian Americans are for those who don't know any Asian people was created. It also creates a very confused and estranged relationship by Asians and Asian Americans to films, because they cannot fully identify with this bizarre representation of themselves.

Most of the films’ depiction of females as young and delicate, wearing gowns, being admired for their beauty and as damsels-in-distress waiting for a heroic knight to rescue them, reinforces society’s long-held views of women. According to Serna, and Herndon (2020), the representation of women this way sends a message that they “are meek, submissive, overly emotional, and reliant on men something acknowledged by Hunt (173). It also sends a message that they only find true happiness, stability, and health upon finding their true love. Even the names of that women in films are given show how women are thought of.

In many films, girls are shown traditional female roles and behaviors that constrict their freedom. As Keller, Littler, and Winch (2019) assert, girls unfortunately use these visual and mediated illustrations of to understand their place in the world. Therefore, being represented in a particular manner or failing to be represented in these film stories makes the audience who may include children to feel a low sense of self-worth, especially if they cannot identify with the film and media characters.

III. Theoretical Framework

a. Introduction of my theoretical foundation

In order to gain a greater understanding about how films and the media continue to portray racism and sexism in explicit ways, and impact people's beliefs and values systems, a conceptual framework plays a significant role. People's beliefs and values systems impact behaviors whether negative or positive. Behaviors, both individually and collaboratively, contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities as a whole. Behaviors can impact relationships and communication. A conceptual framework can therefore help shape social work practice by providing historical and contemporary guidelines to promote best practice contexts and models. This framework also offers insight to research and how it effects human populations at micro, meso and macro levels. Theories are an important guide to social work practice as well as the whole society. They help direct best practices as well as promote social justice. In this regard, the theoretical underpinning and framework chosen for this research is Bandura's Social Learning Theory.

b. Explanation of why this theory is appropriate for the research

Given the ongoing racism and sexism that is presented in most of the timeless films, this theory will help explore the implications that this racism and sexism has on the audience that views the films and what responsibility the films have in terms of what they display to their audiences (Crain, 2015, p. 221-2). Imperatively, filmmakers have always relied on stereotypes as a shorthand to explaining characters. But as it is a common knowledge, stereotypes are a delicate matter. They can bolster negative perceptions, justify prejudice, and reinforce unsympathetic views about particular groups more so when they are undertones in films and associated media. Mainstream Media's power in representing race and gender cannot be underrated. This theory exposes and critiques film and media racialization of crime and the gender narrative that are dominantly embedded in the media with imposed messages.

Observation or rather watching films and associated media play a critical role in determining how and what people perceive and learn from the films. As Crain notes, borrowing from the behavioral school of psychology, behaviorists believe that all learning is a consequence of direct experience with the environment through the processes of association and reinforcement. In this regard, Bandura's social learning theory is also rooted in many of the basic concepts of traditional learning theory although direct reinforcement cannot account for all types of learning. People for instance often exhibit learning for things with which they have no direct experience. Even if one has never racially discriminated against those seeming racially different from them in their life, they would probably know what to dissociate themselves from those different from them simply because they have seen others perform this action either in films and associated media.

While many behavioral theories of learning suggest that all learning is the result of associations formed by conditioning, and reinforcement, Bandura's social learning theory is founded on the belief that learning can also occur simply by noticing the actions of others in the media. Given the social element, people can learn new behaviors by watching other people in films. In the same vein, these behaviors are duplicated and repeated by other film makers who want to portray a certain group of people in a certain way (Ellemers, 2018, p. 279). As a result, the films and associated media almost in a similar version portray racial and gender groups the same way. According to Bandura most human behavior and stereotypes are learned observationally through the films. From observing films, the filmmakers just like the other film audiences form an idea of how new behaviors are performed and stereotypes are portrayed, and on later occasions when making their own films, this coded information serves as a guide for action and filmmaking.

IV. Research Questions

· How do films and the media continue to explicitly portray racism and sexism?

· Do most if not all films and the media explicitly portray racism and sexism in the same way?

· Is there a justification of why films and the media explicitly portray racism and sexism in the same way?

V. Method

a. Introduction to the chosen method

Qualitative research is the chosen method that will be applied in this research. Qualitative research method will basically utilize observation to gather non-numerical data relating to films and media and their portrayal of racism and sexism. It will delve more on characteristics, metaphors, symbols, and descriptions with the films and media that portray the themes of racism and sexism. Imperatively, this method will delve into observation and immersion as well as content analysis of visual and textual content contained therein in at least five films and media that were produced since 1950.

b. Explanation of why the chosen method is appropriate for the research

Qualitative research method is appropriate for the research, because the research will rely on contextual analysis. Importantly, what the research will be engaging in is identifying the characteristics, metaphors, symbols, and descriptions that are within the films and media that portray the themes of racism and sexism. Therefore, it will be justified, to watch the films and identify racial and sexism undertones that are contained therein.

c. Specific information that should include:

i. Sample type, size and justification for sample

The sampling method that will be used in this research to get the film sample is non-probability sampling specifically purposive sampling. Purposive sampling will lead me to selection of five appropriate films for identifying how they portray racism and sexism. It is worth noting that purposive sampling is justified for use in this research. Since it is judgmental, selective, and subjective in nature, it will allow me to rely on my own judgment when choosing the films to incorporate in my study. It is clear that there are millions of films and random selection may lead me selecting films that may not be exploring the racism and sexism themes that are the basis of my study.

ii. Data collection method; data analysis discussion

The data collection methods that I will use in this qualitative research will also be qualitative in nature. I will for instance use observation or simply watching of the full length films. There will be a case by case analysis of the films recording critical ideas that point to the portrayal of racism and sexism themes.

iii. Privacy concerns and how the project will adhere to IRB ethical standards

The privacy concerns that I will address are ensuring that the individual dignity of participants such as film actors who I may interview is protected. I will protect them against unwarranted invasions of their privacy stemming from collection, and disclosure of their personal information that does not concern this research. The research project will therefore adhere to IRB ethical standards by ethically collecting data and protecting the privacy of participants as well as seeking their informed consent to be participants (Buchanan, & Ess, 2009).

VI. Timeline

a. Projected dates for all key steps to be completed

· Identifying the area of study- Completed

· Choosing the topic- Completed

· Formulating the research plan- Completed

· Getting approval – 31st Oct 2020 – 6th Nov

· Collecting and analyzing the data - 10th Nov 2020

· Drafting the Final paper – 16th Nov 2020

· Submission – 25th Nov 2020

Bibliography

Brooks, D. E., & Hébert, L. P. (2006). Gender, race, and media representation. Handbook of gender and communication, 16, 297-317.

Buchanan, E. A., & Ess, C. M. (2009). Internet research ethics and the institutional review board: Current practices and issues. ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 39(3), 43 49.

Crain, W. (2015). Bandura’s social learning theory. In Theories of development: Concepts and applications (pp. 218-237). Routledge.

Ellemers, N. (2018). Gender stereotypes. Annual review of psychology, 69, 275-298.

Hennekam, S., & Syed, J. (2018). Institutional racism in the film industry: a multilevel perspective. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal.

Hunt, W. (2019). Negotiating new racism: ‘It’s not racist or sexist. It’s just the way it is’. Media, culture & society, 41(1), 86-103.

Jacobsen, K. (2020). [1.1] “Racist, but not Racist Enough”: An Analysis of the Cultural Warning and the Omission of Materials in Disney Plus.

Keller, J., Littler, J., & Winch, A. (Eds.). (2019). An Intergenerational Feminist Media Studies: Conflicts and connectivities. Routledge.

Serna, L. I., & Herndon, S. (2020). Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism by Nancy Wang Yuen. JCMS: Journal of Cinema and Media Studies, 59(2), 170-174.