Sunday, September 30, 2012

Media Moment, "Family Feud " Racisim " Who's side ?"



In the video we see an example of stereotype of race and gender.  I noticed this clip of the show Family Feud  because it was so offensive and I was stunned after watching it.    Firstly, as opposed to advertisements where we see representations of people this is an actual clip of something that took place naturally.  The black girl faked a handshake when givnig the white woman a handshake.  This alone shows that she is childlike and has no ettiquette even when on national television.  When Steve Harvey explains to the white women that she's 17 and that "they play like that", the black girl responds to Harvey, "you supposed to be on my side".  This is where I sensed something wrong.  The black girl felt thast Steve Harvey should have sided with her because they both share the same race.  In a serious tone he  lists the responsiblities that he has as a man in his  family.  We now adhere to the stereotype that the man is the provider.   What came to mind are the stereotypes that have been previously diccussed about Black people in society, also briefly in class.  Black people being portrayed as childlike, uneducated, not classy, being unable to filter what they say, and as having little to no ettiquette.  Personally I was ashamed being that I am a young black female just as contestant, Brianna.  Something as small as this for viewers can automatically set stereotypes in their minds about young black females.  Her actions reflect failure of her upbringings.  My question then becomes how can people like Brianna, who dont know any better, change their perspective on certain situations like this?  Or is it necessary for her to change her ways, is it acceptable?  What about the young black females who now have to prove otherwise because of certain experiences like these?  Should they prove or should society (white/ dominant) know to judge people by individuals and not by the cultural groups of which they may belong? 

1 comment:

  1. I would beg to differ. Saying Brianna "don't know any better" is to say that any black teenager from an urban environment doesn't know anything about society as a whole's general rules of etiquette. Which was proven wrong after she immediately shook Hope's hand and they both laughed. Brianna's actions were obviously those of a young person at play in a competition. Steve Harvey immediately acknowledges this when he states "They play like that" referring to teenagers in general.

    Brianna is not responsible for peoples preconceived notions of the negative actions of black teenagers, nor is she responsible for setting an example of how people feel black peoples should act on television. Take this clip from the 2008 elections--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGBikSDv4nM
    --in which Barack and Michelle Obama are fist bumping on television in front of millions of viewers. Are they reinforcing stereotypes or simply just showing affection the way they usually do? Was it the presidents responsibility not to fist bump his wife on television? Is he perpetuating stereotypes? Is this a matter of class or race? Had the situation been reversed and Hope psyched Brianna out, would you still find this offensive?

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