Ethnic Notions

Ethnic Notions was based around how images from mass media have permeated the American culture from generation to generation. It described how these images have come to define inequality, specifically race, in society. Some of the biggest flaws in shaping America came from race was created in a nation found on inequality.
The movie argued that the majority of citizens in the last two centuries were susceptible to believing unseen images and stereotypes of certain cultures. Through the mass media, people were compelled to believe the characters that were portrayed without having personal contact with those of the same race; especially those in the black culture. This culture was repeatedly being portrayed in negative ways. There was no intention for the media to represent truths. Exaggerated black stereotypes were portrayed for the amusement of the majority, or the whites. Some examples were the happy Sambo of the happy Nanny. These images were of course false and led people to believe that blacks actually preferred being segregated and were content with it. These images were thought to have justified racial imbalance yet created a bigger struggle for the black community to become equal. Yet when blacks pursued to be equal they were then viewed as a threat, animalistic, and savage.
My concern is that there is too much focus on what is right and wrong through media portrayal. Even though whites mostly controlled the media during these era’s, I believe that we tend to believe the unseen truths for entertainment. These images and beliefs of inequality are brought upon us because it sells and it is good for business. People rarely weigh the consequences of their actions and when it comes in the form of disgracing entire cultures through mass media then it creates a cultural pandemic.
This highly offensive yet truthful video created an awakening of how media has and business has influenced the American culture. It portrays that most of us tend to believe things in which we have not seen or have no experience with, which in turn creates a struggle for us all.