Stereotypes in the American Media Essay - 1361 Words

Stereotypes in the American Media Propaganda is an effective device that is used to influence and manipulate human behavior by appealing to emotions. When propaganda is combined with stereotypes, it usually produces negative results. A simplified view of a group of people, spread by mass communication can cause people to be more narrow-minded and can alter their perspective. Living in the Information Age, people are exposed to a constant stream of ideas and images. These ideas can reflect the views of those with a hidden agenda. They can also produce a generality about something that people are not familiar with, therefore readily accept the stereotype. There are many examples of propaganda from recent times that include stereotypes†¦show more content†¦When the movie â€Å"The Siege† starring Bruce Willis and Denzel Washington premiered in 1998, it was met with protest in Michigan. Nizam Arain, who belongs to the Muslim Community Association thought that Hollywood went too far with the Arab stereotyp e. He was quoted as saying: â€Å"To have the American public aware of the existence of Muslim terrorists is the job of the news media. But the purpose of the film is entertainment† (CNN 1998). After September 11, 2001, Arab-Americans were the targets of hate. â€Å"Mosques were firebombed, Arab-Americans were vocally abused and physically attacked, and at least six persons of Arab descent were murdered† (Lester 2002). This can be attributed to the false stereotype that the media created that all Arabs are terrorists, because that is what they are predominately portrayed as. The 2003 War with Iraq also bred further stereotypes in the American media. Those who expressed the view that they opposed the war were labeled â€Å"un-American’ and ‘unpatriotic’ and even supporters of Saddam Hussein. The mass amount of American symbolism, from the radio waves filled with ‘God Bless America’ to a surge in anything that incorporated the American flag, was propaganda to encourage people to be ‘more American’ and unite behind the President inShow MoreRelatedAfrican American Stereotypes in the Media1396 Words   |  6 PagesJakaya McCambry 10/02/12 African American Stereotypes in the Media When I first heard someone say, â€Å"All African American people are Ghetto,† I was very offended that someone would make this type of assumption about my culture, and I thought how ignorant this person must be; but then I stopped and wondered why other people would think this about us. I asked her why she would say something like this, and she instantly listed shows like Tosh.O and Chelsea Lately, which highlight my culture in aRead MoreAfrican American Women And The Media s Reoccurring Stereotype2855 Words   |  12 PagesAvery Wood Robert Welch ENGL 202 Nov 10, 2014 â€Å"African American Women and the Media’s Reoccurring Stereotype† In the early turn of the 21st century, infant stages of media were brought to audiences all over. Small motion pictures were a new invention, enticing its viewers and creating a medium open to innovation. Since the development of silent films, stereotypes and racial discrimination have been the central overtones of cinema. The midst of the century entailed a dominant white society, withRead MoreThe Media s Depiction Of Caricatures, Stereotypes, And Violence Of African Americans3353 Words   |  14 PagesThe Media’s Depiction of Caricatures, Stereotypes, and Violence of African Americans The mammy, an iconic caricature figure that has shaped and distorted the way African Americans are perceived in the media and eyes of Americans. At first she may seem like a harmless, fun caricature that is all smiles. However, in reality the mammy is one of many caricatures that have been created to define and serve as a stereotypical function of white domination that is still seen today in America’s culture.Read MoreStereotypical Images Of Mexican Americans And Black Americans909 Words   |  4 PagesMexican Americans and Black Americans in the contemporary media? Angel Garcia Bakersfield College In today’s society judging races and ethnic groups have left stereotypical images on them. 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Because the majority of media outlets are owned by corporations dominated by white heterosexual men, many minorities are portrayed in waysRead MoreRa cial Stereotype Proposal : Racial Stereotypes1458 Words   |  6 PagesRacial Stereotype Proposal Media has become the key source of entertainment in United States especially on the sector of movie production. Most United States movies have some type of involvement with racial stereotype on specific ethnic groups. United States movies usually portray the negative side of African-Americans in all their movies. This is a huge problem to the society of United States especially black Americans. The presentation of the negative side of African-Americans in the media effectsRead MoreEssay about AMERICANS VIEWS858 Words   |  4 Pages A stereotype is the creation of an unfair opinion or view; an individual will take the behavior of one person and state that all people belonging to that particular group behave in the same manner. Stereotyping encourages people to react and behave in a manner that is both judgmental and prejudiced. The perception of Arabs and the Islamic religion has created a system in which prejudices and stereotypes worked their way so thoroughly into literature, e ducation, history, language, and social moresRead MoreMass Media and Stereotypes710 Words   |  3 Pages Mass media plays an important role of stereotypes in our present-day world, by broadcasting information and entertainment to a variety of audiences. Stereotypes act like codes that give audiences a common understanding of a person or group of people. Media ranges from television, press, books, radio, and the internet. Media propaganda is the other form of media that is described as manipulation. It is a powerful factor that influences our beliefs and attitudes about others. Race, gender, and economicRead MoreSaudi Arabian s Outlook On Americans1162 Words   |  5 Pages Saudi Arabian’s Outlook on Americans Eugenia Legra Professor De Falla December 11, 2014 LIT2480 Outline I. Introduction a. Saudi Arabia is one of the most conservative Islamic states. The Islam is the religion that dominates all aspects of the citizen’s lives. The Islamic interpretations effects the politics, economics, businesses, and communications amongst other nations. For instance, Saudi Arabia and The United States have different views on what is right and wrong based on theirRead MoreMass Medias Effects on Sterotyping992 Words   |  4 Pagesracial stereotyping in the media serves to justify, emphasize, and perpetuate antagonistic and munificent racism, there is need for focused study efforts on practical strategies to challenge and ultimately eradicate stereotypes. Stereotypes are generated and altered on the basis of first-hand encounters with stigmatized groups, as well as recycled information from mass media, acquaintances, as well as family. While both express and circumlocutory sources of stereotype lessening are acknowledged,