Race and Gender in Scifi Movies
Sociology 190 | Race & Gender in Science Fiction | [1968-2008] | | Noble Hauser | 11/25/2012 |
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Ever since the invention of the silver screen, people have projected society’s views into movies. Every year, millions of people sit in at theaters, and are subject to the themes and messages put in front of them. From the submissive Dorothy from Wizard of Oz to the ever-present white protagonist, fiction and reality have always mirrored each other, and movies have either served as a progressive power or an echo of that culture’s beliefs (Anderson 2010). Race and gender differences have promoted hatred, discrimination, and inequality since the conception of the United States. In America’s relatively modern history, the society has taken public steps away from the sexist and racist ways. Nevertheless, racism and sexism have been ever-present in a more implicit fashion (Ketchum 1976). With movies being a private industry, however, it is possible for discriminatory and/or sexist implications to be present. With the increasing movie revenues, it is important to recognize and identify the messages being subtly implied by the media. With repeated exposure to these themes, it becomes all the more likely that racial and sexist norms can be socialized in society (O’Neil 2011).
For the purposes of research, race can be defined using the traditional fabrications, being white, black, Asian, and Latino. For the purposes of this research, racial stereotypes are not being analyzed; rather the presence, or lack of, a variety of races and their status in the movies. To find racial preference, white characters being the main protagonist, love interests, or mentors will also be distinguished as bias towards white people.
Another issue that could potentially plague the cinema is gender discrimination. Unlike race, gender perceptions are much less subtle, and easier to distinguish. For example, if a woman is dependent on a male character, emotionally
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Ever since the invention of the silver screen, people have projected society’s views into movies. Every year, millions of people sit in at theaters, and are subject to the themes and messages put in front of them. From the submissive Dorothy from Wizard of Oz to the ever-present white protagonist, fiction and reality have always mirrored each other, and movies have either served as a progressive power or an echo of that culture’s beliefs (Anderson 2010). Race and gender differences have promoted hatred, discrimination, and inequality since the conception of the United States. In America’s relatively modern history, the society has taken public steps away from the sexist and racist ways. Nevertheless, racism and sexism have been ever-present in a more implicit fashion (Ketchum 1976). With movies being a private industry, however, it is possible for discriminatory and/or sexist implications to be present. With the increasing movie revenues, it is important to recognize and identify the messages being subtly implied by the media. With repeated exposure to these themes, it becomes all the more likely that racial and sexist norms can be socialized in society (O’Neil 2011).
For the purposes of research, race can be defined using the traditional fabrications, being white, black, Asian, and Latino. For the purposes of this research, racial stereotypes are not being analyzed; rather the presence, or lack of, a variety of races and their status in the movies. To find racial preference, white characters being the main protagonist, love interests, or mentors will also be distinguished as bias towards white people.
Another issue that could potentially plague the cinema is gender discrimination. Unlike race, gender perceptions are much less subtle, and easier to distinguish. For example, if a woman is dependent on a male character, emotionally
Cited: Anderson, Katie. 2010. “Film as a Reflection of Society”. Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph. Retrieved November 3rd, 2012 (http://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/surg/article/viewArticle/1105/1806) Ketchum, Sara. 1976. “Implicit Racism.” Analysis 36: 91 O’Neil, Dennis. 2011. “Socialization.” How We Acquire Our Cultures And World View. Retrieved November 10th, 2012. (http://anthro.palomar.edu/social/soc_1.htm)