Race in Today\'s Mass Media Channel Surfing

Race in Today's Mass Media

Channel surfing during primetime these days, will often times create a personal dilemma on what show to watch and usually, it is one we will stick with from season to season - if the 'powers that be' allow it a renewed contract. These days, we have a variety of broadcast channels to choose from and our ethnic background, sadly, often determines whether we choose the WB over NBC. The reality is, that "mass media actually work to reinforce assumptions that black folks should always be cast in supporting roles in relation to white characters" (Hook, 1995).

Let's take for example, some currently popular shows: Friends, Frasier and, yes, even The Simpsons portray minorities either in 'guest' roles, as supporting roles in stereotypical fashion, or not at all. In the case of The Simpsons, it could be justifiably argued that the show portrays views of race and ethnicity in a mirroring-hypocrisy of our own current society.

Other shows, like Law & Order, The District, Boston Public, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation have African-American supporting roles, and lead roles where intelligence and ethics are relatively equal to the White-American characters on the show. In some instances, (as in Boston Public and The District) the cultural and ethnic boundaries between White-Americans and African-Americans are often brought into the storylines. In the case of Boston Public, the show often dares its audiences to tackle these social subjects head on- as they did in an episode last season regarding the "N-word."

There are television shows that have challenged mass media to look at the percentage of stories and roles given to African-Americans. My Wife and Kids, and The Bernie Mac Show are two such sitcoms that appear on other networks outside of the WB and UPN and are predominantly African-American casts. Unfortunately, the popularity of the shows requires audiences to choose which to view as they appear on opposite networks in the same time slot. This was an issue Damon Wayans (My Wife and Kids) took to the ABC network at the start of the season.

Ethnic markets have also experienced a 'whiting'-down of mass media. Only recent additions to primetime line-up, like George Lopez (executive producer being Sandra Bullock) have successfully stayed in the fight. Other shows have failed miserably - like All American Girl- Margaret Cho's short-lived sitcom. Asian and Latino roles have been even fewer with only a few shows entertaining them into the permanent line-up. Suddenly Susan, had the wise-cracking suave magazine photographer, Luis (comedian Nestor Carbonell), while Will & Grace have Rosario, Karen's housekeeper, an occasion supporting role played by Shelley Morrison. While both Luis and Rosario are far from 'ignorant', there is a hint of stereotyping in their roles through the seasons.

Arguably, some of the racism in mass media, doesn't just fall onto television shows. Modern cinema has been guilty of perpetuating the social stereotypes and views of society regarding ethnicity and different cultures. In many cases, "mass media do not just shape whites' minds and imaginations. They socialize black and other non-white minds as well" (Hook, 1995). It has only been recently with directors like, Spike Lee, Ang Lee, and actor/director Denzel Washington have we seen a change in stereotyping and roles made available to 'non-whites'. In many cases, storylines and writers could be put to the test, in creating stories and characters that challenge our society's mode of thinking. This kind of commentary, as difficult as it is to see it unchanged by big studios, has fallen into the laps of the independent filmmakers who are choosing 'realism' over 'idealism'.