i've been neglecting the blog for a good two weeks, so i figured i'd share an update of my paper:

my topic is dealing with stereotypes that are found on television and how they are reaffirmed with various shows. this was inspired by the FX show black.white in which a white family and a black family switch places so as to experience a different lifestyle.
i realize the paper is supposed to be a research paper with credible sources, however, not including the texts we read in class and maybe one scholarly journal, my sources are going to be the tv shows that display stereotyping.
i'd like to begin by discussing the show black.white and its purpose for being on air. from there, i am going to dive deeper into stereotyping on tv.
the best way to share ideas of my paper is to list them in a bullet format; i will expand on each idea citing examples from television shows or news articles in which there was public discourse surrounding a show/ad on tv.

anyway, here:

- the show black.white is supposed to allow families to experience a different culture; i want to explore the show from beginning to end -- the first few shows aired were aimed at teaching both families the proper way to speak while in 'costume'
:: the white family was taught phrases such as "yo bitch. what up dog." and ways to "mispronounce" words. [example: ask - ax]
((note: the word "mispronounce" was used during the training - what message does this send to black viewers/viewers who speak a 'black dialect' - that they are not smart enough to properly pronounce words?
:: the black family was taught phrases such as "how was your day darling? good evening children." i grew up in a primarily white household. NEVER did i hear such phrases as "good evening children" not that it is not said, but again -- who is to decide what is "white" language.
- i'd also like to explore how stereotypes are being confirmed with the show. typical misconceptions concerning blacks is that they dress in baggy clothes, call eachother "niggas" etc. misconceptions about whites is that every white person is basically a walking/talking beaver cleaver. ties, loafers, phrases such as 'darling.' the show is basically creating stereotypes for entertainment purposes.
- also, i want to question whether or not someone can just be "black" or "white" my personal opinion is that CULTURE is more what shapes a person's attitude, not just skin color. it takes more than just face paint for someone to truly experience another person's daily interactions with people. culture plays a key role in people's life. i don't know if this even comes into play, but i am thinking of bringing up the fact that there are white rappers. black cowboys. white people on welfare. black millionaires. etc.
- lastly, with the show - i want to point out that while the families are in make-up they are interacting with people around them and forming friendships. what will happen at the end of the show when the friends made have to learn that they were just part of an experiment? how will that affect their attitude concerning different races? if a black kid befriends the "black" boy and he shares personal insights on what he experiences day to day - will he feel betrayed and hurt to know that the entire time, his life experiences were being used to make the show more entertaining? how will that make him feel towards the white boy? or all whites? how is this show helping to break down barriers by using deceit?

with the betrayal aspect of the show, i can incorporate the apologies that lakeoff discussed. also, i can explore the race card issues brought up by lakeoff. with the show, i can explore bernay's ideas of manipulating the public. also, there was a debate surrounding the show whether or not the white family could use the word 'nigger' while dressed as the black. rutherford's censorship issues come into play here.


some other shows i'd like to research and discuss include:
- beverly hills - a show about rich white kids facing "problems" [no blacks on the show, at least not for the 1st 7 years]
- FRIENDS - is it reality to believe that in NEW YORK CITY there will be no blacks in the area?
- good times - this is a show about a poor black family and their struggles - how realistic is this show? also, there was a lack of white characters. ALSO this show dealt with racism for at least 3 episodes.
- starsky & hutch - two white detectives and a black former druggie informant. i believe he was also a pimp. [although the sergeant was black - so idk about this one]
- the real world - although this show is not primarily race stereotypes, it still does help to affirm stereotypes of the :gay man :loud black woman :proud black man :drunken blonde slut :football stud womanizer --- how does this show [which is pop. among teens] create a mold for viewers?
- benny hill show [ that is not the right name, i forget what the show was called -- help!] where the white father hated blacks. this show openly dealt with racism and poked fun at it. [note: this show could be seen as beneficial bc it poked fun at racism and somewhat pointed out the contradictions/stupidity in stereotyping]
- the jeffersons - this was a reverse benny hill show. a black family 'moving on up' in which the proud black husband does not approve of whites.


blah blah blah blah - you get the idea. any suggestions of shows that have blatant stereotyping present - please share.
hope everyone had a great weekend;; ps. - one week of classes left!! yesssssssssssssssssss!! =-)

ps. while spell checking, the word 'womanizer' came up as misspelled and the suggestion was 'homemaker.' idk if that is important or interesting to anyone else in the slightest, but i found it amusing.