Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Question 7
According to Cofer, "Mixed cultural signals have perpetuated stereotypes--for example, that of the Hispanic woman as the 'Hot Tamale' or sexual firebrand. It is a one-dimensional view that the media have found easy to promote. In their special vocabulary, advertisers have designated 'sizzling' and 'smoldering' as the adjectives of choice for describing not only the foods but also the women of Latin America" (para. 6). Does this assertion--that the media promotes stereotypes--apply today? In answering, consider Cofer's example of Latin American women, or choose another group, such as African Americans, older people, or people from the Middle East.
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I think that in some cases the media does promote the stereotypes. When we see TV shows such as Modern Family portraying Latin American women (Sofía Vergara) as unable to properly speak English and wearing tight clothing, the stereotype gets impressed upon the viewers.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a great example, in the show, Sofia Vergara enhances her accent, wears revealing clothing, and flaunts her culture. This is a perfect example of where media has stepped in and supported such stereotypes that Cofer talked about taking offense to.
DeleteSydney I couldn't think of a more perfect example! Even the show's title being "modern family" shows that the blended family that Sofia Vergara is apart of which is becoming more common in today's society. Although some latin women may take offense to this portrayal of them, Sofia Vergara seems to embrace the stereotype that she is apart of.
DeleteThis is the exact example that I thought of! I actually am unable to think of a famous Latina woman who isn't majorly known for her sex appeal and sizzling/smoldering-ness. See J-Lo, Eva Mendes, Eva Longoria, Shakira, Penelope Cruz, Jessica Alba, etc.
DeleteThis is a great example! I actually watch Modern Family every week, and now I am going to think of the way the show portrays the Latina stereotype through Sofia Vergara's character every time I watch it. I do believe that media promotes stereotypes today. I think it was Pepsi that actually did a commercial with Vergara where she represented Pepsi through her sex appeal, which plays in to her stereotype that is portrayed on the show too. She does, however, seem to embrace the stereotype (like Allison said), but that does not mean that all Latina women do so.
DeleteI definitely agree with you Sydney, and Maddie gave some good examples of other women who are portrayed in this way. The media definitely does touch on stereotypes, even in children's shows. I know that now when I watch shows that I used to watch as a kid, I catch a lot more innuendoes than I would have as a child because now I have more life experience and I understand more about how people view others who are different than themselves.
DeleteI have to agree with this comment also, it is true that Sofía Vergara embraces the very stereotype Cofer is referring to. Another example is in the movie Maid in Manhattan were JLo plays the poor made who falls in love with a wealthy politician. There are many other people who could have played that leading roll, but producers that Jlo seem fit. Being a maid is stereo typically a Latino thing.
DeleteI think the media does portray stereotypes. I think quite often with like women actors, what it means to be a prominent role is quite often defined by stereotypes. Like bond movies have definite stereotypes for what it means to be manly or feminine.
ReplyDeleteOf course the media portrays stereotypes! two words: Marilyn Monroe. Admitedly not as modern. However, this prime example of dumb blonde women and anything like it brings in profit. luckily the media does not attempt to insult these people, though they do allow their views to, they attempt to make every cent in profit they can and people love to see someone that is predictable and vibrant
ReplyDeleteThe media strongly portrays, in particular, gender stereotypes in today's society. The media provides certain expectations for society and reacts negatively to any deviations from the norm. The media idolizes certain characteristics in each gender and scolds one if they fail to follow these set characteristics.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Matthew here. Women especially fall victim to stereotypes when dealing with modeling. Models in magazines are almost 100% of the time digitally edited, but many women still feel that they need to be skinnier and are unable to see the beautiful aspects about who they are in their current state.
DeleteI partially agree. The media definitely portrays stereotypes for all genders, races, ethnicity, etc. but I don't believe that the media scolds people for failing to follow characteristics. While the media does certainly show some characteristics more often than others, it is on a person to person basis that this actually has an effect on men or women; especially with the increased awareness of the process which Mick described.
DeleteThe media for sure stereotypes, but it is more common for the media to stereotype women. Actors or famous music artists and performs mostly receive the blunt of this stereotyping. Most of the time it is not insulting, just playful. Also I've noticed a lot of stereotyping with people from the middle east. This has increasingly been happening after the Boston Marathon bombing.
ReplyDeleteThe media definitely portrays and promotes these stereotypes. In many shows, Hispanics play maids and nannies and janitors. For example, in the movie He's Just Not that Into You, all the men who are working on building a white couple's house are Hispanic. Their characters' complete personalities are dominated only by their race. The media has definitely reinforced this and all racial stereotypes
ReplyDeleteYes, without a doubt, the media portrays stereotypes. Everyone has brought up great examples, with Sydney's example of Modern Family (Sofia Vergara being Hispanic "Hot Tamale" and not able to speak English very well), Dan's example of Marilyn Monroe (started the "dumb blonde" stereotype). Stereotypes still run rampant in society, with a lot of the media generalizing ethnic groups, along with the genders of these ethnic groups (Black guy = thug, rapper, sports star and girl in general = sex symbol). Because of this, more stereotypes that could have been relinquished to a degree are perpetuated and reinforced, causing more people to believe the stereotype.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. I can't think of too many examples right now, but I do know that I see a lot of stereotyping in media. A lot of it is really for comedic purposes, most stem and spread from media. I remember from a plane crash maybe a year ago, some news cast was naming the Korean pilots involved, and they called them "Sum Ting Wong" "Wi Tu Lo" "Ho Lee F**" and "Bang Ding Ow."
ReplyDeleteYes, many times when looking at the media, especially TV stereotypes are promoted. Many times people from the middle east are cast as the villain, especially in crime shows. Portraying America's stereotyping of these people as villains and terrorists that want to hurt us. This is just one of the many that consistently appear today.
ReplyDeleteOoooohhhh yaaaa there are definitely still stereotypes in media today. The above examples are all very good. Latina women are usually always in specific roles (sassy young latinas, domestic workers, and for some reason passionate police/military women). Another group with specific roles in popular media today are also black males. In an unacceptably large number of films they can be quoted as saying things like "Daaaayum" or "Heeeell no."
ReplyDelete