Hey guys! here is the link to the article I chose on who is represented in media. It is a PDF with many pages, so I would like you to read pages 58-62.
http://wmc.3cdn.net/83bf6082a319460eb1_hsrm680x2.pdf
Here are some questions to keep in mind when reading the article for when we have class on Thursday.
Q: Have you noticed a trend when using media that certain people are underrepresented? Were you surprise by the statistics provided?
Q: What are some specific examples in some of the shows you watched or any media that you have used recently where this had occured?
Thank you for your participation and I will see you on Thursday!
**UPDATE***
ReplyDeleteI would still like you guys to take into consideration the questions I asked before class. Here are some more questions to keep the conversation going. If you have anything else to add, please do not hesitate.
Were you surprised by the statistics I provided during my facilitation?
Have you ever been personally affected by an underrepresentation in the media?
What do you think can be done to make sure everyone has an equal representation in the media?
In the article is says, “LGBT characters- mainly male ones- we in 17.5 percent of major films released in 2014, GLAAD says”. Through this claim, we can begin to see how certain people are underrepresented when using media. More specifically, we see how the majority of LBGT characters are prominently represented by gay male characters, which leads to this underrepresentation of the women, and we also see a lack racial diversity in the LBGT community. Yet, the women characters represented in the LBGT community were mostly bisexual rather than lesbians, which goes to show the acceptability present in our society on bisexuality. It seems as if it is more ‘acceptable’ for women to be bisexual than men, because women who are bisexual can be seen as more attractive to both men and women more so than men being bisexual. Bisexual men typically are frowned upon in cultures and societies, in an attractiveness realm, because gay men are stereotypically seen as feminine and not able to be physically attractive to women. The way gay men are portrayed in the media typically show a stereotypical representation as to which show these men drinking wine, buying expensive clothing, and even cooking well. They also speak feminine like, and have feminine like traits and characteristics. This portrayal of gay men in the media is probably why we see more female bisexual characters than men, because of the white dominant and heterocentrism world we live in. Because of this, I don’t think that we are ready to fully accept that men can be bisexual as much as we are willing to accept women to be bisexual- because women are already of lower status and it is easier to accept them as bisexual than a white, dominant male. So, media either portrays men as fully gay, or straight, and have a hard time accepting that they can be bisexual because gay men are typically seen as strictly ‘feminine’ as they are portrayed as promiscuous, flashy, and bold (while the reverse is often true of lesbian portrayals). In a movie I recently went to see, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, a comedy about two frat boys needing wedding dates to their sisters wedding in Hawaii, we see a lesbian character that is portrayed through these stereotypical views on lesbians. The lesbian character is a fast-talking, smartly accomplished, and fiercely competitive lesbian on the prowl. It seems to me that it is easier to depict gays and lesbians in comedies because we can choose to laugh at the stereotypical views placed on them rather then see them as an issue. But when it comes to being bisexual, it is hard to depict stereotypes, because they are seemingly neutral in their gender expression. If we break this barrier, and begin to represent the LGBT community in more ways than just comical, we will be able to accept it more than just the stereotypical way.
ReplyDeleteThe statistics that are provided in the article are staggering. There is a large underrepresentation of the LGBT community in the media. I definitely agree with you that women are more accepted by society when it comes to being bisexual. In 2014 of the LGBT inclusive films bisexual characters made up 30% in representation, that is less than a third. Gay male characters were the most "represented" at 65%. The types of LGBT characters that are shown does have a major impact on society. When certain people are not represented it makes it seem as though they are less than or that they do not exist. One show that recently came out on VH1 is called Hit The Floor and the main character is a star athlete, a NBA player. He is is bisexual and has a boyfriend throughout the series. I think representations like this are so important because it shows people that they do not need to be a stereotype and that they can be more than just the stereotypical gay character that they see in comedies. When certain types of people are only portrayed one way it leads people to believe that is the norm. This is why equal representation is so important in the media.
ReplyDeleteHi! First I would say that you did a great job in your facilitation!
ReplyDeleteI just want to answer the last two questions.
1. Have you ever been personally affected by an underrepresentation in the media?
Yes. When I was in an elementary school in Japan, I was totally different from other girls. The medias usually represent majority and make them a little bit more attractive. On the other hand, I was the one who acted like a boy, and I did not care about fashions and something others that ordinal girls care about. Therefore, at that time, I really felt I was underrepresentation. Other girls asked me a lot that why I was not trying to be like the girls in the medias. After I entered into the a middle school, my behavior changed a little bit, and became a girl like who around me.
2. What do you think can be done to make sure everyone has an equal representation in the media?
I think one solution is to teach everyone that no medias should represent people. I mean no one in the medias should represent anyone else. People are all different because each of them have different experiences and cultures. I do think that people need to respect other's characteristics and talents other than judging them with the ideal images and criteria that mass medias created.
Thank you! That is a great example of how someone can be affected by an underrepresentation within the media. The girls your age saw from the media what they 'should' be doing and what they 'should' be acting like. The media showcases girls and boys to act a certain way and be interested in specific things. When one does not align with the interests that are typical of their sex / gender they are outcasted. I agree with you that education is a major key within producing change. Every different possibility of a persons being should be shown within the media and not just the heteronormative perspective. In doing this people will have respect for those who are 'different' at this point in time. Hopefully in the near future people will not see those living outside of the gender binary as living different alternative lives. Hopes are that they will just see them as living.
ReplyDelete