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Racial stereotyping in commercials, television shows, and movies
Influence of mass media on children
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As we can see the images portrayed in the media affect the way children view others and view themselves, therefore it is essential to engage children ‘in critical examination when it comes to the books they read, the television they watch, the films they see, and the video games they play (48) and their other activities? (Tatum, 2003, p. 239)’ In last weeks readings, Tatum indicates that due to lack of positive images on the mainstream media, the subordinate group eventually acts as they are portrayed in the media by the dominate group. Children of color are aware that they are not like the people portrayed in the media, but don’t know how what it means to be “black”. Both in the readings and in the videos we learned that children of color
who do well in school tend to be the outcast with their white and black counterparts. The media has ingrained the misconception that people of color are less intelligent, therefore if you aim to pursue an education you are trying to be “white”. Unfortunately, I have experienced this first hand. Many of my colored friends withdrew from advanced/honors courses simply for being the only student of color in class. If they do stay, they feel like they have to try harder to prove to their classmates and professors that they are worthy of being in such courses. As we can see, it is not that students of color are less intelligent than their white counterparts, it is that all the negative images portrayed in the media leads them to believe that is the case, therefore discouraging to many students. They are lead to believe that school is not for them. However, it is not due to the lack of leaders, but due to the lack of positive leaders portrayed in the media and in our history books. I hope that in teaching children to critically examine the media they gain a sense of social and self awareness. Questions: As a person of color, have you felt discouraged from taking an advanced course while in school? Prior to this course, did you critically examine the media you consume? If not, how has your perception changed?