Stereotypes In The Show Shameless

Individuals and society as a whole are greatly affected by stereotypes. Based on prejudice and discrimination in the 21st century stereotypes are overgeneralized. Certain groups experience inaccurate assumptions based on their race or culture made by other individuals. Throughout the 21st-century, many shows, movies, and entertainment tackle stereotype assumptions. Using a sociological perspective to examine this effect of stereotypes I am analyzing the show Shameless. Shameless is a Netflix family-comedy drama about trying to make a life in the south side of Chicago. The show is about the Gallagher family of 6 getting by without the presence of their mother and father. Shameless illustrates race, ethnicity, drug and alcohol use, sexuality,

In many episodes, Shameless tackles topics by simply making fun of them, however, this episode was handled much differently. In the episode, Liam had set up a lemonade stand in front of the neighbor’s driveway with his friends. The only thing Liam was trying to do was make money, however, the woman called the cops on him and his friends. No property was damaged, the kids were not blocking the driveway, and it still didn’t stop the neighbor from calling the cops. The police officer that appeared -also being of color- didn’t seem to agree with the neighbor and proceeded to put $20 into Liam’s jar. However, the woman continued to pressure the officer to shut the lemonade stand down. Liam was trying to do a good thing for his family and make money in an easy and fun way. After his stand was shut down, he told Fiona, and she proceeded to organize a block party outside the woman’s house. The action taken by the woman was made because Liam and his friends were young black kids. This plotline in the episode is easily inspired by real-life headlines about white people calling the cops on black kids when they are simply

At the time of the show, Liam was attending private school. Starting off as funny implications, the discrimination Liam faced this season was far from it. To elaborate, “Every day, Liam is dragged out of his classes by that administrator and literally put on display to prospective parents. Unbeknownst to the Gallagher family, Liam was only allowed to attend his new private school to be their shining example of diversity, even at the expense of his education. He is pulled from tests, art projects, and reading time to play on the playground during the exact moments when the school tours are happening.” This proves how discriminatory actions affect individuals because the administrators’ actions were benefiting the school but completely dismissing