The stereotypes predate the mass media, arising in folklore from the slavery period and transferred to and amplified in the modern mass media. At various time points the stereotypes have served various ideological functions. In colonial times, the stereotypes provided a rationale for enslavement of blacks. After slavery, stereotypes served to justify segregation.Today, the media may no longer be stating negative stereoypes about blacks explicitly. However, through implicit visual associations of blacks with particular negative contexts, media stories activate mythical character types that have long circulated in the culture. The visual modality, because of its iconic and descriptive nature, provides a rich source of imagery about etnic groups. Photographic images have a great impact on viewers' perceptions (Lester, 1994). Visuals present physical and behavioral features that affect our perception, often evoking stereotypes (Cowen, 1991). In the presence of a member (or symbolic equivalent - as in media images) of an etnic group, the stereotypes may be activated automatically, even if unintentionally (Devine,1989). Visuals therefore can serve very implicit and subtle functions ofstereotyping that call little attention to the artifice of construction. And because this practice seldom proclaims itself openly, visual stereotypingcan be very insidious and more potent than explicit verbal stereotyping (Browne et al., 1994). The predominant juxtaposition of images of blacks as sambo and savage. Though verbal references to African Americans may come under tighter scrutiny in news organizations, images may often be taken for granted and go unexamined.
In the largely segregated American society, the images and stereotypes supplied by the media can have profound effects on the dominant Anglo population, which in many cases lacks first-hand knowledge of people of other races. As Carolyn Martindale (1996) contends, "The images send a powerful subliminal message to Anglos that the majority of African Americans are violent, criminal, drug-addicted, and on welfare. And because these images come from the news media, which claim to represent reality and to provide unbiased information about society, Anglos tend to believe the images are true."
Source: Linus Abraham Images That Injure Edited by Paul Martin Lester & Susan Dente Ross, 2003
Watch this video:
Objectives:
- Students will understand the ethnic stereotypes. - Students will use viewing skills to understand and interpret visual media. - Students will use reading skills to understand the ethnic stereotypes. - Students will answer the test about the reading text. - Students will use speaking skills to discuss the ethnic sterotypes. - Students will interact with their fellow students.
Reflective questions:
1.What are ethnic stereotypes ? 2. How were stereotypes in colonial time? 3. How do visuals affect our perception? 4. What do you think of the film? 5. What can you say about the conversation between these two people in the film?