A F O C U S O N P R E J U D I C E A N D P E R P E T U A T I O N O F S T E R E O T Y P E S

MEDIA’S ROLE IN BIAS

THEORETICAL RECAP

• Europeans began to create evidence against other groups that existed in the world based on “scientific” data that they (people of colour) were less than intelligent• They used the evidence that they acquired to

justify the mass cleansing/killing of people• They used the measurements of the brain size

and portions of brain function to “create” this idea that inferior peoples needed to be “civilized” and this laid the foundation for future imperial conquests such as slavery

THE JUSTIFICATION FROM SCIENCE

Eugenics: The study of or belief in

the possibility of improving the qualities of the 

human species or a human population, especially by 

such means as discouraging reproduction by p

ersons having genetic defects or

presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits 

(negative eugenics)  or encouraging

 reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits 

(positive eugenics)

Then…As slavery was abolished, the ideas ofWe vs. Them emerged

-Idea emerged that Afro-people couldn’t be civilized at all. -Constantly thought to be inferior and treated through out society in that way

-Some of them tried to break free of these ideas but it is a large undertaking to re-program the mind of those in power

OLD IDEAS…NEW FORMS• These ideas are very old based on

who is inferior vs. superior• Media has used stereotypes that

already exist about people to make their shows more believable or popular

• E.g. Think about who is casted in positions of Power, gang members, single mothers, villains and heroes• They is a colour/race/idea

attached to all of these concepts

THE ADMISSION FROM MEDIA SOURCES: THE GLOBAL TIMES

“The media only shows you what journalists deem important. They create the interest, and the stereotype. 

There are so many things happening every day, but only a small number are reported. How is this news selected? And how do reporters write about it?

The mass media recognizes that its audience will only give much of their attention to a few messages, and they like to keep messages eye-catching. So the first rule is to keep them simple. And the second rule is to repeat what has worked in the past.

The media also wants you to come back for more. So the third rule is to use words that create a little agitation so that people will talk about it… ” (Li Haihong, 2013)

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/797261.shtml#.UnG60PlOMSY

HOW DOES PREJUDICE TURN INTO STEREOTYPES?THE 5 STAGES

1) Verbal Rejection: this is when jokes and friendly talking is verbalized and then internalized• “The Asian six pack”

2)Avoidance: contact from groups are purposefully avoided- may lead to discrimination• Exclusion (groups- silent bullying)

3)Discrimination: When people act against their prejudices- like not hiring a particular ethnicity

4) Semi-violence: racist slogans and spray paint is used to intimidate, ruffle or anger groups

5)Extermination: involves the allowance of government to tolerate violence against a group• Genocide such as the Holocaust and more recently Rwanda and Syria

STEREOTYPES• When a blanket over-

generalized statement or view about a group or people is presented

• It becomes a widely believed idea when another event happens to the person and the idea becomes solidified as truth• Media plays a large role in the

reinforcement of said stereotypes through entertainment, print media and ads

We have preconceived notions of groups already– we assume automatically that Snoop is the criminal

AT A GLANCE?

SOCIOLOGIST VIEWSSocialization

• Plays a major part in the “learning” of prejudice etc

• Parents, family, friends and school interactions are the main culprits in teaching inequality and prejudices

• Prejudice as conformity- want to belong

• Scapegoat is the label that is given to a group/person that is singled out to blame in an instance of frustration etc.

• E.g. Blame Youth for Crime (general idea)• There is some truth but the reasons behind the

criminal behaviour is a product of unfair treatment or marginalization is some way• There are other factors at play than just age, race or

gender.

HOW HAS MEDIA BEEN USED TO SOLIDIFY HATE/RACIAL STEREOTYPES

Historically• Nazi Germany Regime• Hitler using print

media, story books, board games, posters and newspapers to teach the up and coming generation about “hate”– creating the enemy in the Jews

• -Video

Present Day• The casting of particular

races, gender etc for roles• characteristics of racial

roles used for entertainment

• Criminalization of certain groups– “Islamapohia “–post 9/11

• Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS3e-n8Mj7I

P R O PAG A N DA I N N A Z I G E R M A N Y

DISCUSSION