Representation in Media

 How different Groups are represented

Representation is the way certain age groups, races, social classes, and ethnicity are depicted in Media such as films, TV Shows, and more. Representation is quite a sensitive topic as it explores races and ethnic groups and how they are represented, whether it be in a positive light or a negative light, sparingly or over-saturated, etc. Depending on the context it can range from offensive, subtle, or pandering. 

 

An example of what can be offensive are stereotypes. Stereotypes are an often unfair or even racist generalization of a race or ethnicity, usually exaggerated due to cluelessness or comedic effect. For example, a stereotype would be that all Asians are smart, or on a more derogatory side, that no women are funny. Stereotypes in media texts can be viewed as either offensive and derogatory or as positive representation of a certain group. Many dislike stereotypes, saying it's insulting and disrespectful to many people, others saying it's fine or even funny in some cases. Stereotypes usually aren't meant to be an exact and accurate representation of a group, and oftentimes aren't meant to be taken seriously. Some groups don't mind stereotypes of their group, and even find it funny and can take a joke, but other people take personal offense to it. For example, Speedy Gonzales is a Mexican character who is a speedy mouse from Looney Tunes who wears stereotypical clothes such as a sombrero, and speaks in an exaggerated Mexican accent, was canceled due to being offensive and racist. However, it was brought back due to outrage from the Latino community themselves.

 

Representation of a group can be subtle or pandering. For example, advertisers or filmmakers try to pander to younger audiences by including many references to their culture, such as portraying dabbing, cellphones, and terms such as "LOL" or "WTF." Usually this tends to backfire and does not appeal as intending to its audience. Representation should be subtle, not obnoxious and obvious pandering to try to get a certain group's money. If anything, over-inclusion of a certain race or ethnic group is more offensive than excluding them because it just seems like a marketing tactic and that media makers don't really care about the group, just their attention. By subtly incorporating characters of race, age, ethnicity, or gender, it feels more natural and makes the target audience feel like normal people, not money machines. Not all of these have to be pandering though, they include different groups as a statement and features many different races or ethnic groups to show their product is for anyone. For example, an H&M ad that features many ages, races, and sexualities, and they don't include them to pander to them, but to make a statement saying to "close the loop" and see beyond gender or age norms.

 

Nowadays, representation is more diverse and certain portrayal of certain groups are less lenient and accepted as much as they were before. For example, an axe body spray commercial from 2006. At the time it probably wasn't anything huge, but it would not survive in today's climate. Axe creates male grooming products, so in order to appeal to men, they showed a stampede of attractive women in bikinis flocking towards a man spraying Axe body spray. It's meant to get men to buy the product thinking it will get them some women. This is bad for both genders, as it is not only derogatory to women, it creates false expectations for men, thinking that women are just submissive people meant to please men. Despite this, I believe the commerical is meant to be an exaggeration, and not something meant to be taken seriously. Of course, it provides unrealistic expectations for people, but it's represented in such a ridiculous and over-the-top comedic fashion. In conclusion, representation in the media and response from viewers really depends on the person who percieves it.