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http://hdl.handle.net/1961/606
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| Title: | Just for Laughs: An Analysis of 21st Century African American Situational Comedies |
| Authors: | Mitchell, Natanya |
| Keywords: | African American situational comedies, stereotypes, African American representation, mass media |
| Issue Date: | 18-May-2005 |
| Abstract: | There have been studies regarding the roles and stereotypes of African Americans in the American entertainment industry. Most of these studies have been expository pieces, stating the stereotypes portrayed and adopted by actors and actresses. It has been reasoned that the cause of stereotyping within the entertainment industry is the underlying, and sometimes blatant, racism of American society. This theory definitely has been corroborated, but there is more that needs to be analyzed. Besides the reasoning behind the stereotypes, this thesis plans to look at the evolution of the stereotypes in African American situational comedies as well as the ideological institutions and theories that help to maintain the status quo of the entertainment industry. Mass media is one of the many reflections of the culture and society in which it is located. This statement is no less true for American society. Throughout American society's transformations and revolutions, its' media has also gone through an evolution of its' own. African Americans' trials and tribulations in discovering not only themselves, but also their place in the world of American entertainment is one that was mirrored on the television screen. From the sheer numbers of African American programming to the roles given to African Americans, this conflict is one that has continued for decades. This work has discovered that because of the historical relationship between African Americans and American society, there will always be an element of prejudice in the American entertainment's representation of African Americans. The African American community has to discover and achieve a new manner in which to get their representations to the masses. This would require an acceptance of the diversity of the African American community and not feel the need to comply with an established dominant society view of what a "good" representation. There needs to be a concern for an honest representation. This may not be possible in the genre of situational comedies. |
| URI to cite or link to this item: | http://hdl.handle.net/1961/606 |
| Appears in Collections: | Communication, Culture, and Technology (GT-ETD)
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