Linda Christensen argues, in 'Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us', that the media stereotypes different genders, ethnicities, and physical features. She explains that cartoons, movies, and even sports commercials show certain people in their stereotypical lifestyles. For example, Popeye the Sailor Man was a cartoon that explicitly discriminated against any other ethnicity. The Arabs were all shown as thieves and they all looked the same. And some of the things that the leader sings about is very inappropriate. About 2 minutes he sings about when things are quiet he starts a riot.
Stereotypes are always going to be known. This website explains many different types of stereotypes and it explains how stereotyping is such a terrible problem. Linda Christensen explains that in order to see how the media affects people in their everyday lives, the people need to acknowledge that it is a problem starting from childhood. The way to overcome this issue is to have students recognize this pattern and to make projects based on what they learned. They even had to say who they could explain to that there is a problem.
Like Linda Christensen expresses, there are so many stereotypes and the only way to overcome them is by understanding that they are real and in the media. I find it interesting that the shows, movies, commercials, etc. all have underlying political and stereotypical messages. As a child, I never realized that the princesses were all beautiful for the one fact that a prince could only fall in love with a beautiful woman. I just enjoyed the movie. But now things are starting to change. And just like Dr. Bogad says, there was a pebble thrown at a window and there was a crack. Now the crack is getting bigger because more and more people are realizing the issues with the media.
I like how you included a video of Popeye in your post..I feel that that show/cartoon is a very good example of what Christensen argues in the article.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it sad that some people get sterotyped because of looking different. Looking different won't make you a princess to get prince charming. It is sadly a way to conform our minds into thinking, and feeling, a certain way about things, that is harmful to not only other people but to ourselves as well.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you tied the video of Popeye into your post. Its a great example of the piece and Christensen's argument. Also I agree with you on all the points you made in your post. As children, we never noticed the underlying messages brought up in all the media but now that its being shoved in our faces, it's easier to notice.
ReplyDeleteNice video choice. Really showed the extremes of cartoons promoting stereotypes. I feel like you have cartoons like this one that are obvious and then u have the ones that are more shuttle, like that clip we watched from Beauty and the Beast in class.
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