What are some of the significant milestones in the depictions of race and ethnicity in American television?

Race and ethnicity has always been part of American television and it differs from one group to another. The race and ethnicity have extended its wings through outlets of media such as television. The representation of African-Americans in American televisions and advertisements is pygmy and submissive. They were always portrayed as a person who wants to change its color or is slave to a white person. In 1960’s the Africans were portrayed as pervasive, ignorant and ugly.

Several Americans watch television and consider it as a source of entertainment and information. During a survey it was found that in America 66% of homes contain 3 or more televisions and 79% Americans believe that it increases violence in society. In 1940-50’s African-American used to get very few roles to play onscreen and when they were given roles they were simple or of servants such as on television shows such as Beulah and Amos and Andy. Amos and Andy was the most controversial show in the history of television and it was considered as post-racial of American society. (Isaacs, 2017)

Beulah was a TV show broadcasted on American television on prime time where the main lead was a black female but the show received criticism as it displayed black stereotyping via comedy.

I personally believe that all human beings are equal despite their linguistic, geographical and racial discrimination but Hollywood, television shows and every kind of entertainment industry is reflection of the society and therefore we can see how broken and racist our society is and how important it is to stop this.

I Love Lucy portrayed the absence of feminism in society and in sit-coms maternity stood important. The show displayed how the society remains to impact on nation resulting in strategic exploitation of image of femininity, race and ethnicity.

Norman Lear is well known producer of American televisions. He revolutionized sitcoms and other TV shows by presenting shows like The Jeffersons, All in the Family and Good Times. He set the TV representation free of race, ethnicity and discrimination at the time everyone knew what the issue was but chose to ignore it so he took an initiative and change the focus as The Jeffersons was about observation of racial discrimination and All in the Family is the spin off the show. He began to influence people and fought for social progressive causes. (Adage.com, 2003)

The issue of race and ethnicity is still there to see on screen and now Americans consider it as one of the big problems and the percentage of racial discrimination is still on rise. American society is open to talk about it and tries to remove it from entertainment industry via sending constructive messages and by casting African-American in important roles but the Rome was not built in a day. There are 3 TV programs which I watch because they are free of racism and cultural pluralism i.e. The Originals, Orange is the new Black and Empire as the black skinned people are given strong characters freeing the screen of racism and bias.

Why was The Birth of a Nation such a landmark film in terms of race? How does the film relate to the readings from the “Hidden Origins of Slavery” section of our textbook? What were some of the main reasons given for the need for slavery by whites? What is the significance of Sally Hemmings to American political history?

The Birth of a Nation was released in 1915. The film is both extraordinarily amazing and unacceptable due to concept of it. It is still considered immodest due to its concept of racism in it yet the cinematic skills presented in movie are still appraised. It displays the time of Civil war and conditions post war, the movie was a blockbuster. The movie is more than 100 years old and it is still considered best movie of the time. The movie is major part of American legacy and an interpretation of America’s genesis. It shows the nation in which racism was spreading wide. And after 100 years the racism is still epic and marked as a routine.

Slavery and racism are the part of American history and are still observed in the society. Until 19th century slaves used to work in fields and they were responsible for country’s export. Slavery resulted in secession and several Americans were killed in Civil war. Racism was the major reason that caused the civil war in nation. In US racism is caused due to slavery. There are several aspects in which film relate with textbook context but the major points of similarity are Racism, Slavery and Civil war. (Joshua K. Wright, 2018)

Some of main reasons given for slavery by whites are that it doubles the value of their land; blacks are inferior and deep rooted prejudice entertained by the Whites. Sally Hemmings is significant to American Political History because of having children of US President of that time Thomas Jefferson. She was a female slave to the American President and she was remembered by African-Americans and her family after her death as anti-slavery doggerel and pro as her claims were found true upon investigation.

 According to our textbook, what were the main obstacles that Irish immigrants had to face in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? What was the Potato Famine and what impact did it have upon the Irish population in terms of migration? What is meant by the phrase “Green Power” and how does it relate to the Irish’s rise in American social and political culture? What was the role of Irish women immigrants and what made them unique when compared to other female ethnic migrants to the USA?

Most of the immigrants came to America in 1846 and most of them were Catholic Irish and they lacked skill therefore were offered odd jobs for longer time period with very low pay. There were some blacksmiths, masons, boot makers etc. but most of them were unskilled people. Therefore the elegant society looked down on them and they were forced to do cheap labors in expanding American country and they worked for construction of buildings, canals, bridges etc. for minimal pays. When the economy became strong by 1850s the Irish people were welcomed but when economy fell again the job ads clearly stated that no Irish people need to apply.  At that time Irish immigrants made 2.12% OF American society. (Smith, 1996)

Potato Famine is also known as Great Famine or Great Irish Famine which occurred during 1845-49. It occurred due to failure of potato crop in its successive years by Phytophthora infestans. In the time of potato famine app. 1.3 million people migrated to different countries from Ireland. Some were able to pay their own fares while some travelled on fares paid by their landlords. They travelled on ships called as coffin ships because they were dirty and unhygienic, they were cheated, upon reaching America they were sent to quarantine.

Green power is the renewable energy produced with renewable resources. Irish community has made great impact on American economy in several aspects. 1) In terms of nationalism 2) made an influence on social and political development of US 3) Removal of nursery of nationalism. United Irishmen and USA fought for immigrant rights and tolerance.

During Irish famine several women migrated to America as well and being single when their living and inheritance pattern changed number of unmarried women reduced, they worked for wages and helped the to migrate and get married. This culture facilitated mass migration of Irish women to US and it did not presents breaking of culture and families but provided solutions for several single women of Ireland.

Irish women migrated to America like every other female ethnic migrants and established a community, as seeker of prosperity, made life, advocated for their rights and made political changes in America. They built values, culture, resilience and everything of their own and lived by their values in a new land and never lost identity of who they are and became independent. (VanDerWerff, 2015)

According to our textbook, what were the main obstacles faced by Jewish immigrants to the USA? What role did the peddler have in Jewish American culture? What was the significance of both the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and the Catskill Mountain resorts to Jewish culture? What has been the impact of anti-Semitism against Jews in modern America?

There are several obstacles which are faced by Jewish immigrants in USA. More than a century after first Jews arrived to New Amsterdam their population was app. 2.5 million. They found living around the American coastal areas and soon they all got settled in state of America. Being an American brought several obstacles such as maintenance of Jewish cultures and traditions, stereotyping, hatred and assimilation came along with prejudice despite of America’s assurance. 

Jews to do not distinguish depending upon ethnicity or race but they are known to be group of people. From 1780-1920 several Jews left their homelands to settle abroad and find new work opportunities and better life. Jews were white and recognized and accepted as such black people were discriminated while white peddler would knock on doors and greet African-American woman so they treated everyone equally and believed in equal rights in order to navigate racial discrimination it was not lie they were activists but they did to make their sale.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire confines the Jewish community. For Jewish Americans it is no longer central symbol of evocation as they are not part of working class but they seem to remember the incident with nostalgia and not pain. It is a site for success and not a suffering for them. Catskill mountain resorts were famous holiday spot for Jews from 1920-60, a phenomena presented states that it helped Jews learn about Judaism. It kept the culture alive and cultures adaptive.

In modern America anti-Semitism is clearly rejected by most of the Americans whereas 64% of population credited Jews for their cultural contributions in the land. But still there are some people who support it and they are as much as 19%. (Jennifer Agiesta, 2015)

Homosexuality has often been mocked or stigmatized in our popular culture. Since Billy Crystal’s performance on the 1970s sitcom Soap, gays have been increasingly depicted on film and television. Do you think the media is now offering fair representation of homosexuals? What do you consider some of the best/worst representations of gay life in the contemporary media? Do you think homosexuality should be discussed in a manner similar to other racial and ethnic groups we have discussed this semester? Please explain. Currently, the issue of gay marriage is making headlines. How do you think the controversy surrounding this issue today will be viewed in the decades ahead?

It is true that homosexuals have always been stigmatized and demoralized in even popular and most liberal culture of the world. But after the performance of Bill Crystal as gay in sitcom soap of 1970 the LGBT and gays are been accepted and their characters are made part of TV and movie script without hesitation. People acknowledge them, try to accept them and know they that they exist and they are the part of the society. The gay characters are showed in famous TV shows and movies such as American Horror Story, Class, Empire, Modern Family, All in the Family, That Certain Summer, The Bird Cage, Call me by your name etc. (RYAN, 2018)

Previously the LGBT community and their lifestyle was displayed as negative in media and displayed the intolerant behavior of them but nowadays light is thrown on their life as an individual with such sexual and mental orientation, their issues, and concerns in the media. Homosexuals have taken some steps themselves too by defining their culture and goals on mainstream media. They took steps to be accepted as norm and give information.  We live in world of racism and discrimination but we can accept the destabilize force when it comes to sexuality. The most influential example of gay life on contemporary media is Ellen DeGeneres.

I do not think that homosexuality should be defined as ethnic and racial groups but it is sad that it is considered as such. Because it is another ground reality of society which lack acceptance. In US the homosexuals are seen as ethnic minority, they are not fully accepted or understood but judged like every other ethnic and racial group.

The homosexuality and gay marriages are making headlines in this modern world and has come a long way since 1924. But if it goes, accepted and known as it is now then it might be acknowledged as modern, liberal and revolutionary step in the history. (Broock, 2015)

References of What are some of the significant milestones in the depictions of race and ethnicity in American television

Adage.com. (2003, September 15). AFRICAN-AMERICANS: REPRESENTATIONS IN ADVERTISING. Retrieved from https://adage.com/article/adage-encyclopedia/african-americans-representations-advertising/98304/

Broock, T. (2015, February 5). The birth of a nation . Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20150206-the-most-racist-movie-ever-made

Isaacs, S. T. (2017). Portrayal of African Americans in the Media: An Examination . 158-174.

Jennifer Agiesta. (2015, November 25). Race and Reality in America: Five key findings. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/24/us/race-reality-key-findings/index.html

Joshua K. Wright. (2018). Reflections on Black Image in Amos ‘n’ Andy. Retrieved from https://abernathymagazine.com/reflections-on-black-image-in-amos-n-andy/

RYAN, M. (2018). Why TV Is Finally Embracing the Realities of Race. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2016/tv/features/television-race-diversity-ratings-1201712266/

Smith, J. D. (1996). Race, Gender, and the American Mother. 33-63.

VanDerWerff, T. (2015, february 6). Norman Lear on the past and future of television. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/2015/2/6/7985297/norman-lear-interview