Race, Power, and Conflict in HBO's Vice Principals

Introduction

How are ethnic minorities depicted in a popular TV show compared to white characters? This question is sociologically important because it can help reveal underlying attitudes and beliefs about race. This paper examines the question by comparing the way white and minority characters are portrayed on the HBO series Vice Principals.

Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. Sociologists examine the family, education, religion, politics, economics, race, gender, and other areas of social life. They use both qualitative methods — such as interviews, participant observation, and focus groups — to study human behavior in natural settings, and quantitative methods — such as surveys and statistical analysis — to measure trends and general patterns. Sociology is important because it helps us understand the social world around us and how it affects our lives. It can also help us identify social problems and find ways to solve them. In addition, sociology can provide valuable insights into the behavior of individuals and groups, which can be useful in fields such as business, health care, law enforcement, and public policy. By analyzing a popular TV show to see how race is constructed and reflected, it is possible to better understand the racial issues that may affect social interactions in society.

Methodology

The show selected for this study was Vice Principals on HBO Max. The criteria used to select this media choice were that it contained a diverse cast and does not offer a stereotypical presentation of people. That was important because a great deal of media represents people according to tropes and stereotypes. This show was selected because it was written and directed by Danny McBride and Jody Hill, who have demonstrated in their work that they resist stereotypes in favor of reflecting real life in all its various complexities and ambiguities.

Data was collected by watching all 20 episodes of the show's two seasons, each episode approximately 30 minutes in length. Specifically, I examined character development, how characters interacted with one another, whether racial bias or prejudice was evident in interactions, what motivated characters, and how ethnic minorities were portrayed in comparison to white characters. The categories focused on in the coding sheet were actions and behaviors.

Some challenges typical of this kind of research include personal bias and subjectivity (Thorpe & Olive, 2016). This can stem from both the observer and the media itself, since media does not always present an accurate or objective portrayal of reality. Another difficulty is that it can be hard to determine the motives behind why certain things are shown in the media (Singh & Pandey, 2017). For example, a news program may be more likely to air stories that generate ratings rather than stories that are important from a sociological perspective. Additionally, it can be difficult to ensure that all relevant media outlets are observed in order to get a well-rounded picture of what is happening in society (Edwards et al., 2013; Hampton, 2017). These are challenges that sociologists must take into account when using media as a data source. A key limitation of this study is that it was restricted to one TV show. It would be advantageous to compare shows and series across genres and even across years to see how ethnic minorities are represented in popular media; however, time and resource constraints made that impossible here.

The primary limitation of content analysis in sociology is that it relies on texts that have already been produced, rather than being based on direct observation or interaction (Krippendorff, 2018). This means that content analysis is limited to understanding what has already been said or written, rather than being able to generate new insights. In addition, content analysis can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, as it often requires manually coding large amounts of data. Finally, content analysis is sometimes criticized as a potentially biased method, since the researcher's own assumptions and worldview can influence the coding process. Despite these limitations, content analysis remains a valuable tool for sociological research. When used in conjunction with other methods, it can provide a detailed and nuanced understanding of social phenomena.

Findings and Analysis

The most evident pattern in the content is that the behavior of characters is defined by more than just race, although race is a factor in terms of setting or meeting expectations. For instance, Dr. Brown is a no-nonsense black woman underneath a warm, sweet, loud exterior commonly associated with black female stereotypes. Dayshawn, however, is quiet and thoughtful and does not try to meddle in anything above his station. Mi Cha is often seen as meddlesome toward Lee due to cultural expectations she holds. Overall, the actions and behaviors of characters were shaped by feelings of security versus insecurity, right versus wrong, and anger versus peace.

Vice Principals provides a rare glimpse into the world of high school administration. Despite its comedic tone, the show has been praised for its accurate portrayal of the challenges and politics that administrators face on a daily basis. Sociologists have applauded the show for its nuanced exploration of power dynamics within educational institutions. In particular, the show highlights how race and gender can impact one's ability to navigate systems of power within a school. For example, in one episode, a white male vice principal is challenged to confront privilege, reverse racism, affirmative action, and wounded ego when he is passed over for a promotion in favor of a black female colleague. Though the show is set in a high school, its themes are relevant to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider trying to move up in a hierarchy. In this respect, Vice Principals provides an insightful look at the sociological forces at play in any institution. However, Neal and Lee — the two passed-over vice principals — eventually burn down Dr. Brown's house and humiliate her, which can be read as a sign of racial tension between whites and blacks in America.

The significance of these patterns suggests that race does not define people, as there is no shortage of positive interactions among races in the show. Yet patterns in the way race, gender, and power are represented are notable. Nearly all of the characters are interchangeable in terms of actions and behaviors. If, however, the viewer perceives race, one might be inclined to attribute actions to racial causes. But if race is taken out of the equation, there is little indication that the characters are fundamentally much different from one another. Dr. Brown forces Neal to fire a long-time secretary simply to test him. Neal and Lee act atrociously toward Dr. Brown in retaliation for what they perceive as her oppressive behavior. Mi Cha and Lee square off like adversaries. This pattern is significant because it subverts racial stereotypes while simultaneously anticipating that viewers will rely on them to formulate judgments. Overall, the show provides a satirical look at the world of localized politics and power plays.

Conclusion

Vice Principals is a comedy that follows the misadventures of two high school administrators vying for the position of principal. From a conflict theory standpoint, the actions and behaviors of the characters are most clearly explained. Ethnic minority characters in the show behave no differently from white characters; instead, power plays are the dominant force at work, which is inherent in conflict theory. From a sociological perspective, the show helps explain why conflicts arise in local societies. For further research, it would be worthwhile to examine how conflict is resolved in these types of situations, and to compare racial representation across a broader range of television genres and time periods.

References

Edwards, A., Housley, W., Williams, M., Sloan, L., & Williams, M. (2013). Digital social research, social media and the sociological imagination: Surrogacy, augmentation and re-orientation. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 16(3), 245–260.

Hampton, K. N. (2017). Studying the digital: Directions and challenges for digital methods. Annual Review of Sociology, 43, 167–188.

Krippendorff, K. (2018). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology. Sage Publications.

Singh, G., & Pandey, N. (2017). Role and impact of media on society: A sociological approach with respect to demonetisation. IMPACT: International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Literature, 5(10), 127–136.

Thorpe, H., & Olive, R. (2016). Conducting observations in sport and exercise settings. In Routledge handbook of qualitative research in sport and exercise (pp. 146–160). Routledge.

Character Coding Table

Media type: TV Show  |  Title: Vice Principals  |  Platform/Date: HBO Max, November 2022

Neal Gamby — White, Male, 40s, Middle class. Violent, opinionated, and self-centered, but with a strong sense of justice. He sees himself as the law enforcer of the school; however, in his personal life he is often conflicted, hypocritical, and inconsistent. He is ultimately heroic in spite of many bad actions. He becomes principal of an elementary school by the end of the series.

Lee Russell — White, Male, 40s, Middle class. Crude, manipulative, and deceptive; he lies and plots to get ahead. Despite these qualities, he is ultimately loyal to his friend — his one redeeming characteristic. He ends the series as the manager of a fashion chain retail store.

Dr. Belinda Brown — Black, Female, 40s, Upper middle class. Likeable and polished on the surface, but capable of being mean and bossy as well. Her comment — "Flattery will get you everywhere" — angers Neal, who is incapable of false pretense. She can inspire students, but she is resented by Neal and Lee, who see her as an outsider and usurper of their rightful claim to the principal position. She eventually quits after being blackmailed by Neal and Lee following a dispute with her husband, and she returns to Philadelphia to reunite with her family.

Amanda Snodgrass — White, Female, 30s, Middle class. A well-meaning teacher who tries to do the right thing but sometimes lacks the authority and resolve that Neal provides. She and Neal eventually fall in love.

Dayshawn — Black, Male, 30s, Lower class. An unassuming man who works in the student cafeteria and witnesses everything around him. He serves as Neal's confidant and support within the school.

Mi Cha — Asian, Female, 60s, Middle class. Lee's mother-in-law, she is antagonistic toward Lee and frequently criticizes his inadequacies.

Dascious Brown — Black, Male, 40s, Middle class. The neglected husband of Dr. Brown. He comes to town to win back his wife and children and to atone for past mistakes.