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How stereotypes are represented in the media.
Some stereotypes are very commonly portrayed in the media such as the view of women and the view of young black boys who are often portrayed in a bad light. In modern media stereotypes are so common to see that we may view them as the norm, sometimes times we may not even realize. A stereotype is a view we may associate with a certain group just portrayed on the look, or a preconceived idea we may have about someone because we associate them with a certain group. many groups are often portrayed in society in a stereotypically was that is not often a true representation.
These stereotypes are often reflected on many different platforms such as in newspapers, online articles, and even adverts. I have recently myself seen this in a Lynx advert called welcome to the jungle. The advert begins with a shot of a car in a dark and misty urbanized area, I feel the darkness represents trouble and danger.
It then moves onto a clip of seven black men standing IN group in a dark and cloudy looking environment. All of the men are wearing gold chains which in society we may associate with black men as some may wear chains. One of then men are also holding two very aggressive looking dogs who also have chains as leads, this suggests to the viewer that there are danger and aggression, also the dark surrounding makes it appear more dangerous. The seven men are standing in a group in the streets that can make us believe they want to cause trouble of something bad is going to happen. not only in this advert but very regularly young black boys are painted in a negative way in the media, how often do you see positive news about young black boys and their contributions in the news? This representation of young black men being violent and troublemakers is also portrayed in many films, such as the 2001 film Training Day, for example. Denzel Washington’s role as Alonzo Harris provides one of the most enduring and threatening depictions of black men as violent criminals. The criminal mindedness of Washington’s character is underscored by the contrast to his white partner, Ethan Hawke, who plays the role of good cop. However, despite these negative stereotypes we do see black men who are successful and do not portray any of these characteristics in modern media, for example, will smith. Will often plays a funny man and never plays the character of a stereotypical black man he is often seen as the good guy and never plays the villain.
Going back to the welcome to the jungle advert after the image of the group of black men the camera then moves to the back where we see a group of four women dancing in a very provocative way while wearing very minimal and inappropriate clothing. The women's costumes are also red which I feel represents danger and love very conflicting views. This stereotype is portraying women in a very sexualized way to society. The women are also starting intensely into the camera whichIi feel sexualizes them more. I feel this advert encourages the sexualization of women and allows it as a normal thing. This advert is exploiting these women as it is objectifying them. women are very often sexualized in the media including in many magazines which gives young girl unrealistic ideas of how they should look or act which is a miss representation in society. Despite women being massively sexualized on many media platforms, there are many strong and talented women also portrayed in the media for the good they do.
The advert then continues onto a shot of a white man dressed in a very nice can surround by women and paparazzi this enforces the stereotype all white men have a lot of money which we can see for all the women he is surrounded by who do not appear happy. later in the advert men can be seen chucking money out of there windows which implies it is worthless to them. The expensive looking suit suggests he may have a good job. Are all the white men you know rich? So why do we allow these stereotypes, why are people portrayed like this? This shot also highlights the lack of 'importance' of the women as they are in the background and we all seem to focus on the man in the shot.
overall the advert is very good at displaying stereotypes we have in society which we may not ever realize. all over the media, different groups are miss represented on many different platforms.Despite the fact we are all very aware of people who do not fit into these stereotypes at all, for example, Will Smith we still buy into them and believe them.
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