Let’s talk numbers - the U.S. population is made up of 13.2 percent African Americans and 5.3 percent Asian Americans. But when it comes to TV, minorities don’t have nearly that representation, according to a recent study conducted by the Associated Press.
But the small screen may be experiencing a diversity breakthrough with the introduction of shows like “Black-ish” and “Fresh Off the Boat.” By depicting families against a backdrop of racial struggles, both shows share a common goal to reflect the range of cultures present in American society and reclaim racial stereotypes.
“The shows reconfigure stereotypes by having more than one character,” said Shilpa Davé, assistant professor in media studies and American studies at the University of Virginia. “Instead of the one Asian character, for example, being the sidekick or token character, we have the opportunity to see different types of characters that are diverse in gender, age, occupation and region.
“In other words, the Asian-American character is not only the doctor but can also be the cop or the head of a company or a model. That has important ramifications for audiences in majority and minority groups who can see multiple possibilities for role models.”
The African-American family in “Black-ish,” Taiwanese clan in “Fresh Off the Boat” and Latina protagonist of “Jane the Virgin” all demonstrate a new but long-awaited trend of representing American society’s growing diversity.
“America’s almost 40 percent minority, and in about two decades or so, we are going to be majority minority,” said Darnell Hunt, director of the Bunche Center for African American studies at UCLA. “It’s just not sustainable to just (keep) making shows where you have minorities in the background, when that’s not (the) America who’s watching those shows.”
Though some say change in TV’s racial makeup is refreshing and overdue, others disagree. Critics insist that these specific depictions of minorities only perpetuate stereotypes and discrimination. According to Lucian Black, a senior at Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago, much of this backlash stems from the shows’ titles.
“These shows are explicitly offensive,” Black said. “Maybe that isn’t the motivation, but by naming a show a degrading term for immigrants that has been used, and is still used, to humiliate the way they speak and act is wrong.”
Others deny that these shows are racially insensitive. Alanna Wong, a senior at Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Ill., said that if the shows positively affect minorities, their edgy titles shouldn’t turn people off.
“Racism is when there are systemic injustices that form hierarchies based on race,” Wong said. “(These shows are) attempting to alter the mindset of the systemic injustices minorities face in America. That is not a racist act.”
Black argued that this trend isn’t motivated by good intentions - he believes networks are encouraged by dollar signs, not diversifying the landscape.
“TV channels are looking to capitalize on this interest (of race) by creating shows that are relevant to national interest,” he said. “While some of these shows might have secondary motives of satirizing the way different races are treated in this country, there should be no doubt that the motivation behind creating so many shows with race as a focal point is to make money.”
Davé agreed with Black’s assessment, but added that everything in the entertainment industry is influenced by profit. If shows like “Black-ish” and “Jane the Virgin” are monetarily successful, there’s a better chance that more diverse shows will follow in their footsteps.
Regardless of the debate, most can agree that these shows have created necessary discussion about how minorities are portrayed in popular media.
“I think we are making huge steps in how minority groups are being represented in the media. I hope that this is extended to literature of all kinds,” said Walter Payton senior Karina Pantoja. “Ignorance is the biggest reason for micro-aggressions and other acts of racism. TV shows are a great way to tell stories and a small step towards increasing the understanding of all types of Americans.”
Sanjana Srinivasan is a senior at Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Ill. Sierra Lai is a senior at Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago. Both work as correspondents for The Mash, a teen-focused publication of the Chicago Tribune that aims to empower local teenagers, train future journalists, and promote literacy and stronger news consumption among young Chicagoans.
