With reference to any group you have studied discuss how their ‘identity’ has been mediated

The term race refers to groups of people who have differences and similarities in biological traits deemed by society to be socially significant. Within this essay I will approach how Race has been represented throughout the media and how identity has been meditated.

Theorist such as Stuart Hall give emphasis to the importance of visual representation.  Hall argues that black people are often stereotyped and this is due to the media and how it represents black people.  Hall  argues that the ‘blacks’ appeared on TV often in a racially stereotyping position. An example could be the movie ‘Kiddulthood’ The representation of black youth is portrayed by the stereotypical idea of street crime with youth's. The features of the film mainly consist of violence, drugs and sex.

Television and visual representation are important in today’s society especially when it’s through someone’s identity.  In our society it is hard to find your own ‘identity’. Theorist such as Akiniti (2003) argues that the television coverage of the ethnic minorities on Black people always focuses on AIDS in Africa, Underachievement of black people in schools. Akiniti states that it focuses on the down side.  Furthermore other sociologists such as Hall somewhat agree; In 1971 he made an appearance on BBC television where he criticized the portrayal of the blacks. ‘’There is something wrong  with the way black immigrants, west Indians, Asians, Africans – are handled by and presented on the Mass Media.  This clearly shows that the portrayal of Blacks are being down sided and it makes it harder for the upcoming youth to find their own identities without the media representing them in a charitable way.    

However visual representation such as ‘Hitch’ which is a movie stared by a black protagonist who is doctor who helps clients who are mostly white. This movie does break out of the stereotypical ‘black man’ character and his clothing tells us he is quite a wealthy man. However in some scenes we do see stereotypical prospect such as when he teaches the white man how to dance. The stereotype is that white men can’t dance and black men can.  This shows that a stereotype in race happens to every ethnic group/race. 

Race can become an issue when looking at identity. The visual representation of Race and identity are somewhat being mediated. Sociologists such as Hall argue that media do represent races in a stereotypical manner which can influence someone’s identity. To conclude the place someone’s from genetically  can somewhat influence them to change their identity and make them socially aware  of how to peruse themselves.

Plan

Sociologists
Akinti (2003) argues that television coverage of ethnic minorities over focuses on
crime, AIDS in Africa and Black children’s under-achievement in schools, whilst
ignoring the culture and interests of a huge Black audience and their rich
contribution to British society.

Stuart Hall

Functionalists perspective 


begging -

middle -

end-

“Media representations are complex, not simple and straightforward”. How far do you agree with this statement in relation to the collective group that you have studied?

In this essay i will be looking at media texts such as Film,music video's , games and television; i will be focusing on females and how they are portrayed in the media. I will be discussing if i agree/disagree with the statement.  ''Media representation of women are complex, not simple and straightforward'.

I somewhat disagree with this statement; it is not as straightforward on how females are represented through the media; Women are seen sexually and are mainly wearing revealing clothes in music videos such as R&b or Rap video's. Women are seen as sexual objects. 

Feminist stress the importance of gender division in society. Femenist argue that gender stereotypes are negative and the media inhancese the negativity ans stereotype towards women. Feminists also argue that women are oppressed and the 'housewives' they have to give up work and take care of the children, which is also called the triple shift. 

Furthermore, feminists believe that the media presents women as housewives and domestic servants, and they have to service the men's 'sexual needs'.Feminists also suggest that the media portrays this by making it look like it is what is 'normal' and natural.
 
Studies indicate that nearly three-quarters of all female characters in TV shows are underweight, and those that are overweight are often the subject of comments or jokes about there body size, and it is mainly made by male characters. This shows the the TV shows people watch are deluding them in what females should look like and what they shouldn't look like; And one study  found out that 80% of these comments made by the characters where followed by laughter.

Most hero and protagonists are mainly male; Spider-man, Batman, and iron man these are male iconic figures. There are hardly any female iconic figures but if there is they tend to wear revealing clothes.

in today's society the young women today are confused with the mixed messages the  media showing them. Women in music video's such as 'Rhianna, Christina Agularia and many more; are representing women in a sexualized manner. 

However i do agree to some point that female representation towards media can not be as straightforward because there are female protagonists in movies, and TV shows; but they are mainly romantic movies,where the girl is falling for a guy, Example Twilight is a well know film where the main character is in love a man. 

The portrayal of women changes, and women are somewhat seen as more independent and strong. TV shows like 'Glee' show women as being inferior. Females in glee are all from different ethnic backgrounds. And are portayed as strong characters. This shows a brighter side to how teenagers are represented.

It is not only films and TV shows which represent women is a sexualized manner it is also Popular Games, such as 'Grand theft autto' This features prostitutes and violence against women.
The majority of female characters in video games where portrayed sexually.

Britain On Film

This Sceptred Isle

-Based on 1960's 

All white people.

For university students.

Women were working for the men. E.g Secretaries.

-Most women new how to cook.

-Were housewives

Misfits 
-portrays British Youth as violent and foul mouthed.
-Delinquents
-Teenage females were portrayed violent
-have no respect
compared to 'this sceptred isle

The british way of life is changing as the years go by.

List of Tv Shows
-Hollyoaks:




-Eastenders:



-Waterloorad :




-Tool Academy

Notes 

Ethnicity and National Identity in England and Wales 2011

The White ethnic group accounted for 86.0 per cent of the usual resident population in 2011, a decrease from 91.3 per cent in 2001 and 94.1 per cent in 199
(Decreased) As the years go by.

White British and White Irish decreased between 2001 and 2011. The remaining ethnic groups increased, Any Other White background had the largest increase of 1.1 million (1.8 percentage points).

White was the majority ethnic group at 48.2 million in 2011 (86.0 per cent). Within this ethnic group, White British¹ was the largest group at 45.1 million (80.5 per cent).

International Migrants in England and Wales 2011

Two key variables have been used to define international migrants: country of birth and passports held (to determine nationality).

• In 2011 13 per cent (7.5 million) of usual residents of England and Wales were born outside the UK; in 2001 this was 9 per cent (4.6 million).
• The most common non-UK countries of birth for usual residents of England and Wales in 2011 were India, Poland and Pakistan. Poland showed by far the largest percentage increase in the top ten countries of birth, with a nine-fold rise over the last decade and following its accession to the EU in 2004.
• There were 4.8 million non-UK passports held by usual residents of England and Wales in 2011, accounting for 9 per cent of the resident population. Of these, 2.3 million were EU (non-UK) passports.
• Around half (3.8 million) of all usual residents of England and Wales on census day who were born outside the UK last arrived in the UK between 2001 and 2011.
• All regions in England and Wales showed an increase in usual residents born outside the UK between 2001 and 2011; the largest numerical increases were in London and the South East. London had both the largest proportion of usual residents born outside the UK (37 per cent of its resident population) and non-UK nationals (24 per cent of its resident population).
• Some people born abroad will be UK citizens, either because their parents were UK citizens overseas at the time of their birth, or because they have been granted UK citizenship since arriving.
• Across England and Wales, the ten local authorities with the highest proportions of both non-UK born and non-UK nationals in their resident population were all London boroughs.
  
  
  Note to self
  
  
  
  

  2011 Census: good news, bad news or both?

  
  
  The census confirms that fewer now call themselves Christian, but they are still 59% against the Muslim 4.8%. Though less than half of those over 16 (an odd cut-off point that?), the married (46.6%) are still the largest block, and not all single adult households hope to remain that way and probably won't. Renters outnumber mortgage holders (a serious reflection on price and shortage) but homeowners who have paid it off should not be overlooked either.
  
  
  Young people and british identity:
  Spontaneous associations with Britishness amongst young people include the Queen, tea and crumpets, and Big Ben etc, which are rather “old world” versions and do not reflect a contemporary Britain or social reality. For many young people Britain represents an old,
  hierarchical, traditional, political discourse that does not fit with the fresh, inventive, messy and often chaotic world of a teenager. Furthermore, many young people in this research do
  not know the geo-political story of Great Britain or the United Kingdom.
  
  
  home work: do a presentation; pictures photographs. clips e.g tv shows, movies. due wed on youth. use powerpoint. on british people. due next monday!