Media Stereotypes...

Hello! This week we are going to talk about stereotypes that are found and created by media.

“From your personal experiences and research, what other media stereotypes (besides the example from the documentary "Reel Bad Arabs") have you seen either on TV, magazines or in the movies?”

Media such as television and films have often portrayed certain stereotypes without us even realizing it. These stereotypes when shown to the society for over a period of time create an impact towards the audience/public subconscious and with time, we will start to believe in these stereotypes which are often not true. In the documentary “Reel Bad Arabs”, we realize that Arabs are often stereotyped as terrorist, just like how Chinese are often stereotyped as people with slanted small eyes. However, people are not the only ones being stereotyped by media.

Animals are also stereotyped in media. Among them is the bull dog. Based from my own experience watching cartoons and Disney films when I was young, the bull dog is always depicted as a violent, vicious and dangerous animal. The bull dog is also stereotyped with a trademark spike collar on its neck and tied to its kennel with metal chains. This stereotyping on the bull dog creates fear in children whenever they see one because the children will think that all bull dogs are like those shown on TV when in actual fact bull dogs are known to be friendly and not aggressive.

Besides that, another well known stereotype is the stereotype on art students. While this stereotyping may or may not be created by the media, the effect of this stereotype is so strong that it lasts and remains in most people subconscious until now. Although I have not seen this stereotype on films and such (maybe there is but I’m not sure if I know any), I still feel that I want to share my opinions on this as I feel that this stereotype is very personal to me and I believe it also relates to the most of us pursuing our passion for arts.

Art students have always been stereotyped as the ‘dumb students’. This is especially true when it comes to choosing different streams upon reaching Form 4 where parents will always tell their children to go to Science stream because “art students are not good in studying”. I obliged my parent’s wishes and studied science. Even after I have finished high school when I tell people that I want to do arts, I am often given this sceptical look which probably meant “Are you sure you want to do arts? Are you out of your mind?? Arts have no future.” Followed by questions such as “Are you sure you can find work later if you do arts?”

Such is the effect of stereotypes created subconsciously not only by media but also by the people and the society itself. I feel that stereotyping is actually pretty dangerous because stereotypes are often far from the truth and if people refuse to think beyond the stereotype, there will never be improvement. For example, if the society refuse to think beyond the stereotype, the chances and opportunity for us aspiring artists to break free from the "art-student-is-stupid" stereotype will never come true and Arabs will forever be thought of as terrorists.

Well, that’s just my take on this week’s topic. Until next week, bye bye!