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Racial Stereotypes In Entertainment Essay

1797 Words8 Pages

Taking a look at the threads of racial stigmas within the entertainment industry reveals a deeply ingrained and pervasive web that have the power to shape narratives, distort perceptions, and hinder progress toward authentic representation and equality. More specifically, the reinforcement of racial stigmas by White mainstream media in the entertainment industry results in the perpetuation of dehumanizing narratives that disproportionately impact Black children. Despite the existence of groups that aim to combat these harmful stereotypes in media, these narratives tend to undermine Black children’s self-esteem and restrict their opportunities.
Racial stigmas perpetuated by the entertainment industry contribute to negative self-perception among …show more content…

Media corporations have total control over what content is created and made available to the public while those involved in the creation of this content can shape narratives, characters, and storylines that perpetuate racial stereotypes and biases. Due to the industry having this immense power, advocating for them to provide affirming representations of Black people is extremely important. When the entertainment industry repeatedly portrays Black people as “gangsters” or when portrayals are low quality, it can have a largely negative impact on how Black children view themselves. Black children are specifically susceptible to this socialization because, on average, they consume more media than their non-black counterparts. According to Ebony M. Roberts, multiple studies have suggested that television acts as a “babysitter” in many Black families since it can act …show more content…

In addition to shedding light on the racial biases that pervade the entertainment industry, these groups also spark important conversations on advocating for more inclusive and diverse representation. The following are just a few of these organizations that are not only driving important conversations but are also contributing to meaningful change within the entertainment industry. Specifically focusing on Black children, the Black Youth Project was founded in 2013 and focuses on amplifying the voices and positive experiences of Black children such as their academic achievements, artistic expression, etc. By providing a space for young children to share their stories and perspectives, they can challenge the stereotypes they are presented within media. These spaces also serve to highlight the diversity of Black experiences and the resilience of Black children, while also giving Black children the opportunity to shape their narratives. RaceBaitR is another organization that serves as an online platform whose main audience are people who are genuinely interested in learning more about anti-Blackness, queerness, and feminism. The organization critically examines issues of race and racism in media, culture, and society. Specifically,

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