Stereotypes In Hollywood Film

1000 Words2 Pages

While watching movies, have you ever noticed that the villains in almost every single Hollywood film are of Middle Eastern or European descent? In a reoccurring theme of Hollywood, the villains in these films are almost always foreigners or people of color. This is a stereotype. On the other side of the spectrum, we often see that the heroes of these films are most often than not white males. This is another stereotype. Within the last few years, we’ve seen actors such as Will Smith, Morgan Freeman, and Zoe Saldana take the lead roles, so it can’t be said that there are no non-white heroes, but there certainly isn’t many. Hollywood action movies, moreover than other genres, are typically loaded with an abundance of stereotypes. The way these movies are composed and structured can tell us a great deal about the views held within the American psyche and who holds the social power. The harsh reality is that the media ultimately sets the tone for societal standards, moralities, and images of our culture. Many consumers of media have never encountered some of the minorities or people of color shown on screen, so they subsequently depend on the media and wholeheartedly believe that the degrading stereotypes represented on the big screen are based on fact and not fiction. Mary Beltran said it best when she stated in her “Fast and Bilingual: Fast & Furious and the Latinization of Racelessness” article, “ultimately, Fast & Furious mobilizes notions of race in contradictory ways. It reinforces Hollywood traditions of white centrism, reinforcing notions of white male master while also dramatizing the figurative borders crossed daily by culturally competent global youth – both Latino and non-Latino” (77). This paper will specifically look...

... middle of paper ...

...ilms such as Fast & Furious with a critical eye, it’s clear that the recurrent racialized stereotypes that are commonly portrayed in action films are directly contributing to and reflecting the materialization of stereotypes in our culture. Although films may be posed as superficial or mindless, they cannot be viewed passively without questioning what was seen. Even a film that is meant to be made for fun or entertainment can reject stereotypes and challenge the mainstream ideologies of what we think we know about people based on race. Media characterizations have real life repercussions, and the characters in Fast & Furious honestly could have been presented without resorting to stereotypes and racial hierarchies. Once you keep an open eye for these stereotypes, you simply can’t stop seeing them. Media is not apolitical, not neutral, and definitely not arbitrary.

Show More
Related

  • The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won’t Die by Matt Zoller Seitz

    868 Words  | 2 Pages

    Over the past decades, Hollywood movies have brought out the representations of racial inequality through out various themes of racism and stereotypical ways. One frequent type of racial inequality is that there is a culture or race that is belittled, under-privilege and inferior while the other is superior and high in order. In “The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won’t Die” by Matt Zoller Seitz, He identifies the term “magical negro” as: “a saintly African American character who acts as a mentor to a questing white hero, who seems to be disconnected from the community that he adores so much, and who often seems to have an uncanny ability to say and do exactly what needs to be said or done in order to keep the story chugging along in the hero’s favor” (408) and in Mitu Sengupta “ Race Relations Light Years from the Earth” the author examines the movie Avatar as a racist film, and focuses on how it resembles the “white messiah” stereotype. The term “white messiah” is known as a white individual who hold superior power, according to David Brooks of the New York Times, “a stereotype that white people are rationalistic and technocratic while colonial victims are spiritual and athletic, and that nonwhites need the White Messiah to lead their crusades” (Sengupta 213). Both articles dwell and explain the two terms and how it portrays the themes of racism and stereotypes through two elements, known as author’s purpose and main idea. These elements effectively convey the theme because it prevents our thoughts from being scattered by a broad spectrum of ideas and instead, it tells you exactly what is going to be discussed throughout the article.

    Read More

  • The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won’t Die and Race Relations Light Years from the Earth

    867 Words  | 2 Pages

    Over past decades, Hollywood movies have brought out the representations of racial inequality through out various themes of racism and stereotypical ways. One frequent type of racial inequality is that there is a culture or race that is belittled, under-privilege and inferior while the other is superior and high in order. In “The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won’t Die” by Matt Zoller Seitz, He identifies the term “magical negro” as: “a saintly African American character who acts as a mentor to a questing white hero, who seems to be disconnected from the community that he adores so much, and who often seems to have an uncanny ability to say and do exactly what needs to be said or done in order to keep the story chugging along in the hero’s favor” (408) and in Mitu Sengupta “ Race Relations Light Years from the Earth” the author examines the movie Avatar as a racist film, and focuses on how it resembles the “white messiah” stereotype. The term “white messiah” is known as a white individual who hold superior power, according to David Brooks of the New York Times, “a stereotype that white people are rationalistic and technocratic while colonial victims are spiritual and athletic, and that nonwhites need the White Messiah to lead their crusades” (Sengupta 213). Both articles dwell and explain the two terms and how it portrays the themes of racism and stereotypes through two elements, known as author’s purpose and main idea. These elements effectively convey the theme because it prevents our thoughts from being scattered by a broad spectrum of ideas and instead, it tells you exactly what is going to be discussed throughout the article.

    Read More

  • Response to Movie Ethnic Notions

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    The movie 'Ethnic Notions' describes different ways in which African-Americans were presented during the 19th and 20th centuries. It traces and presents the evolution of the rooted stereotypes which have created prejudice towards African-Americans. This documentary movie is narrated to take the spectator back to the antebellum roots of African-American stereotypical names such as boy, girl, auntie, uncle, Sprinkling Sambo, Mammy Yams, the Salt and Pepper Shakers, etc. It does so by presenting us with multiple dehumanized characters and cartons portraying African-Americans as carefree Sambos, faithful Mammies, savage Brutes, and wide-eyed Pickaninnies. These representations of African-Americans roll across the screen in popular songs, children's rhymes, household artifacts and advertisements. These various ways to depict the African ?American society through countless decades rooted stereotypes in the American society. I think that many of these still prevail in the contemporary society, decades after the civil rights movement occurred.

    Read More

  • Racial Stereotypes in Television

    1767 Words  | 4 Pages

    helping. Television is making the shows out to seem like one race is better than another. For

    Read More

  • Asian American Stereotypes in Film

    1357 Words  | 3 Pages

    Asian Americans only make up a small percent of the American population. Even more significant is that this percentage live mostly on the west and east coasts of mainland United States and Hawaii; leaving the rest of the American population to most likely get their exposures to Asians through television and movies. However the exposure they have receive throughout the history of cinematography has been hardly flattering. Throughout the course of history Asians in film have been portrayed as evil or the "yellow peril" as described by others. If Asians are not being classified as evil in this picture then they are most likely the comic relief, with their lack of coordination or grasp of the English language. With these common stereotypes in place, it gives a white American viewer a sense or need to destroy this Asian villain or superiority over the comedic character portrayed in the film.

    Read More

  • The True Edict of Women

    799 Words  | 2 Pages

    Andre, Judith. “Stereotypes: Conceptual and Normative Considerations.” Multicultural Film: An Anthology. Spring/Summer 2014. Eds. Kathryn Karrh Cashin and Lauren Martilli. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2013.

    Read More

  • The White Savior Complex, Neo-Racism, White-Washing, and Hollywood

    759 Words  | 2 Pages

    The White Savior Complex is a damaging subconscious underlay of the Hollywood system, and more broadly all of western society. It is used to further separate the notions of “us” and “other” by creating a firm separation fueled by self-righteousness, and a sense of entitlement. Hollywood attempts to address race relations, but fails because of this trope. Kingsle, from the article “Does My Hero Look White In This?” described that both racism and colonialism are acknowledged, but not without reassuring that not only were white people against the system of racist power dynamics, but also were actively fighting against it in leadership roles (2013). In the remainder of my essay I will be commenting on many modern films and their use on this trope, and why subscribing to this filmmaking strategy is problematic.

    Read More

  • Stereotypes in media

    1257 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Bringing Down the House” featuring Steve Martin and Queen Latifah is a clever comedy that creatively showcases the sociolinguistic phenomena covered in this course. The film is about a tax attorney named Peter, played by Martin, who stumbles into an online lawyer chat room and meets Charlene, played by Latifah. The two chat frequently, mostly about court cases, and eventually decide to meet in person. When the day finally comes, Peter is greeted at the door with who he thought would be a middle-aged Caucasian woman, but happened to be Charlene, a black woman who just escaped from prison. Thinking this was a mistake, Peter tries to kick out Charlene but is later convinced she is the one who he was speaking with in the chat room. Charlene was able to successfully impersonate a lawyer through speech, and along with a deceiving picture, able to convince Peter she was a petite blonde. During these chats, the two talked about court cases that happened to relate to Charlene’s predicament with the law. In attempt to clear her name from a crime she did not commit, Charlene researched the judicial system and similar court cases to hers while in prison. Now that she is out, she seeks personal assistance from Peter who has already through the internet, given her support. All throughout the movie the characters contrast in viewpoints, culture, and most importantly for our studies, language. Charlene and Peter represent different language backgrounds which we can analyze as the root of their character development and actions throughout the film.

    Read More

  • Negative Stereotypes In Movies

    1948 Words  | 4 Pages

    “I 've pretty much learned I can let that [being black] hinder me if I want to ... or I can fight for different kinds of roles.” This is a quote from one of the most well-known African American actresses in the film industry, Halle Berry (Halle Berry Quotes, Sucessstories.com). Most people aren’t aware of the rut African-Americans in the film and television are in when it comes to the roles they play. Have you noticed that most are placed as comedic or oppressed characters? There should be more diverse acting parts for African-American characters.

    Read More

  • Racial Stereotypes on Television

    1870 Words  | 4 Pages

    For many years, racial and ethnic stereotypes have been portrayed on multiple television programs. These stereotypes are still illustrated on a day-to-day basis even though times have changed. Racial or ethnic stereotypes should not be perpetuated on certain television programs. These stereotypes provide false information about groups, do not account for every person, allow older generations to influence younger generations, create tension between groups, and affect people in many ways.

    Read More

  • Asian American Representation In Hollywood

    868 Words  | 2 Pages

    In addition, due to negative feelings about Asian Americans prevalent in American culture, Hollywood’s attempt to expand its target audiences is constrained, and despite the increasing market values of Asian Americans, Hollywood is possibly unwilling to portray successful Asian characters for fear of provoking its mainstream audiences who hold prejudice against Asians. There is a dominant white preference over the effects certain stereotypes may have on Asians and Asian Americans (Park, 2005).

    Read More

  • We Are Not What Media Says

    1888 Words  | 4 Pages

    Berg, Charles Ramírez. "A Crash Course on Hollywood's Latino Imagery." Latino images in film stereotypes, subversion, resistance. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2002. 66-86. Print.

    Read More

  • Stereotypes In Film Noir Movies

    1942 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Hays Production Code of 1930 America asserted that “No picture shall be produced that will lower the moral standards of those who see it,” “The sanctity of the institution of marriage and the home shall be upheld,” and “Sex perversion or any inference to it is forbidden.” Such restrictions crippled the film industry’s ability to overtly display homosexuality, a “sexually perverse act.” But film producers increasingly found reasons to use homosexual characters. Film Noir movies were B-rated movies that weren’t considered as high-caliber movies as the A-listers, so they weren’t as heavily monitored. Film Noir directors used this to their full advantage. With greater freedom to experiment, they tried things that A-listers wouldn’t or couldn’t. Noir in its experimental essence fit perfectly with the struggle to figure out a character’s sexual identity. Often by trying to define a character through stereotypes, the confusion was even more glaring. This confusion of character identity and true intentions added to obfuscate the order of the narrative and what was taking place within it. In films such as Laura and Mildred Pierce the character’s unresolved sexual tension, due to emotions/ desires that are constantly thwarted, lead them down

    Read More

  • Stereotypes In the Media

    483 Words  | 1 Pages

    Stereotypes In the Media Stereotypes play an important role in today's society and particularly in propaganda. According to the Webster's Dictionary, stereotyping is defined as a fixed conventional notion or conception of an individual or group of people, held by a number of people. Stereotypes can be basic or complex generalizations which people apply to individuals or groups based on their appearance, behaviour and beliefs. Stereotypes are found everywhere in the world. Though our world seems to be improving in many ways, it seems almost impossible to liberate it from stereotypes.

    Read More

  • Stereotypes In Movies

    747 Words  | 2 Pages

    (4) Conventional is easy. Whenever an idea is generally perceived by society as standard or traditional it becomes very easy to display to the public without the raise of an eyebrow. This is the basis on which stereotypes appear in films. You’d think in the 21st century where what once were radical notions like same sex marriage and recreational drug use are being legalized that something uncalled for like the constant portrayal of character stereotyping would come to an end. Alas, stereotypical characters continue to emerge in film and unfortunately have become a staple of Hollywood because they’re simple and straightforward, requiring little effort on the part of the writers or thinking from the audience.

    Read More

More about Stereotypes In Hollywood Film

Open Document