I BELIEVE THE MEDIA HELP SHAPES THE WAY OF THINKING OF
SOCIETY….
Ø This morning I was
watching one of my favorite re-run TV shows, The Golden Girls. The Golden Girls
is based on the lives and interactions of four older women whom have all been
divorced/widowed, and are now roommates. This episode was centered on the main
character Dorothy teaching a group of students that was unmotivated except for
one person. An Asian man where his character was characterized to be an
overachiever and out do everyone in the classroom. When Dorothy sees the
difference between the students, she makes the comment to the Asian man, “We
are never going to beat you people." This comment was gear towards the
Asian stereotype that they are smart and will always be on top.
Ø This example shows
how the others students of other races are not as motivated as the Asian
character. Also, I believe making such a generalization of the Asian student,
to the non Asian students is an example of distinct bias.
Ø Watching this is
episode before this course I would have thought it was an harmless comment.
Now, I feel sad for the Asian student that he was characterized in such a
stereotypical way.
Ø If the character
Dorothy did not make that comment and view the Asian student’s achievement as a
way to bridge the class together, this would have been an opportunity for
equity.
Hi Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI never understood why comments using "we, or us" and "you people" are used. At the end of the day we are all human beings, and everyone within a race are not all alike. Generalizations can be very harmful and contradicting. The comment could have focused on the Asian mans' individual achievements instead of including all Asians, and not segregated him from the other members of the class.
Hi Andrea,
ReplyDeleteIt is sad, but there are probably teachers out there that would make character comments about particular ethnic groups just like Dorothy. I too use to watch TV sitcoms and laugh at the jokes, but now I am finding offense in any derogatory comments that would demean or make others feel less than they are. I think that means we are on the real road to making a difference in the lives of children and families.
Sally
Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI've watched that TV show a lot, but I didn't catch that episode. The writer uses allegies as funny comments. But theres nothing funny about stereotyping. The media sends messages like it is o.k. to say such things. That is why it is important to sensor the shows that we watch. As educators, we already no that stereotyping and prejudice is not good characteristics for teachers to exhibit. Nice example.
Hey Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI feel that we all should be aware of stereotyping and realize that it does exist. Stereotyping can make people feel powerless and like the are not worthy. TV and other media outlets may use stereotypes as harmelss ways of gaining attention, but they do not realize that when people fall victim to stereotypes it can hurt.
As one of those people (Asian men) I did want to chime in that we (Asians) have brought a bit of it upon ourselves (although not necessarily with malicious or covert intent). Asians (generalizing, I know) have in many ways benefited (as a group) from the myth of the model minority. It is not only up to the media to refrain from focusing on that stereotype - but also incumbent upon actors being mindful of the roles they select. Sadly, there isn't much for Asian men in the media as far as leading men (you may have noted that we can't even catch the leading role in Hawaii 5-0). Nevertheless, Asians contribute to the myth by their actions (Tiger Mom). In the news just this past week, I heard that a school district in Northern California is in trouble for discriminatory treatment of Asian students (many of them "parachute children"). I immediately suspected that the district was attempting to send some of the academically high performing Asian students to its lower performing school to hit the mandated API (Academic Performance Index) target of 800 (the Asian students apparently averaged about 900). It is so very complex that sometimes I think that the best we can do is pay attention and weigh each situation individually.
ReplyDelete