How Gender and Race Relate to Each Other Through Media

Intersections of race and gender in the media

            In society today much of what is perceived as important is often based on the stories and articles produced by the media.  As a result much of what people care about is based on images, television, music, as well as magazines and public advertisements. How people construct their social identities and come to the understanding of both their race and gender is largely shaped by produced texts that the media aims toward different audiences of the developed social construction.  In short media is central in what comes to represent the social ‘norms’ of different gender and race in todays society.

            Gender can be viewed as a social construct because of how the bulk of society defines what it is to be either feminine or masculine.  Gender issues involving the media have occurred throughout history and still remains as a major controversial topic.  Studies concerning gender favor in the media have shown that males outnumber women in the media, as well as each gender being portrayed in some way that conforms to the social stereotypes of both men and women. These stereotypes of men and women cause negative personal views for each gender, and feel as though they have to meet some social expectation.  Media limits social acceptance, because we have all in some way been impacted by advertisements produced throughout our lives that has created a specific ‘norm’. 

               > An example of race and gender stereotypes I have shared a link from and interview with Misty  Copeland, an African American ballet dancer.  Misty comes forward and speaks out about how she has faced rejection based on the fact that she is African American, she was being told she, "had the wrong body type". This shows how people still hold false senses of biologically  inherited forms as well as having to face discrimination in the ballet world based on appearance.      Ballerina Misty Copeland

              

          Media can be manipulated and the truth is twisted sometimes in order to impress a specific opinion or view on the audience.  The usage of media can also be aimed majorly toward a specific race either through the news, radio broadcasts, or the newspaper. Stereotypes of race can have a more harmful effect than gender stereotypes based on how the media choses to portray a specific race.  Multiple stories are publicly shared through media products and shape peoples opinions. Race has always posed conflicts within society and how people view each other and the racial categories used today separate individual differences based on a social dynamic that has developed throughout history. 

               > An example of racial stereotypes in the media I shared a clip from MADtv of Miss. Swan.  This clip portrays an Asian woman not being able to understand what is being said to her; portraying a specific stereotype that the public may hold toward Asians.  

Miss. Swan at customs

            Gender and race stereotypes affect today’s society and shapes individuals opinions of each other according to the public view, affecting the societal view of race and gender. The majority of western industrialized societies are built by hierarchies of race, gender and class structure, these structures have an impact on new generations; continuing the public opinion based on media products.

Used Sources:
> http://seejane.org/research-informs-empowers/gender-in-media-the-myths-facts/
> http://www.mediaknowall.com/as_alevel/alevkeyconcepts/alevelkeycon.php?pageID=race