Term 1 ERC Project

by Anthony Golfinopoulos

The first character I chose was, Cleveland Orenthal Brown, from "The Cleveland Show," which networked from 2009 until now. This character represents a Cultural type of stereotype because his family represents the typical "black family." They love to dance, listen to rap or rhythm and blues, and the one obese guy (his son). To top it all of Cleveland is voiced by someone who looks like him.

In my opinion, the show accurately represents the black stereotype that is tossed around but isn't true. I feel as if they're are making too many of these stereotype shows and it may be offending sensitive people. The reason these type of shows are accepted by our culture in this type of media outlet is because the shows can make you laugh and help you out if you're having a bad day. In my opinion these type of TV shows or sitcoms shouldn't be banned because they may be funny at some moments but should advice people before hand of the type of context being showed. Seeing these stereotypes on TV or in movies makes our society believe in them, make them our habit, culture or type of society.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pVG4cox0-A (Video of him rapping and dancing)

The second character I chose was Jenna Rink from "13 going on 30." The character represents a gender stereotype. She is a 13 year old teenager with many dreams. She wants to hang out with Tom Tom a popular student and her friends, and also has a humongous crush on Chris. With all these combined she like every teenager. She has many switches of emotion. Going from nervous breakdowns to getting mad about her physical appearance.

  

In my opinion, the show most likely affects many of the teenagers watching it. Not in a bad way but realizing that you're going through the same situation as Jenna. I feel as if they did a good job on shows a teenagers day by day events because it may help some adolescents out. Our culture accepts this type of stereotype in this type of outlet because it enables people to be mentally stable and at the same time aware of what might happen next, depending on the situation. I find that these shows shouldn't be banned because it's different from many other shows and is unique in it's "life lessons" way. Meaning, learning from your mistakes. Like I said before when we see these type of stereotypes on TV or movies the society who watches them leads these stereotypes in people head by acting them out. It can also be positive by cautioning people on the mistakes you can make and their consequences,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4CKtOh5p6E (proving that every teen has their enemy 0:43-0:53)

In conclusion, I found this project really fun. Learning about stereotypes isn't something I've been brought open in a couple of years. This project helped me understand what these stereotypes significance of them are and their good and bad consequences. I realized how bad someone of these stereotypes are shown but realize how some may actually help some people out.

 

Sources and References:

- http://ca.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/06/most-racist-tv-shows/

-http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0012732/bio

-https://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/ClevelandPilot6.jpg

-http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/reviews/190/1323817839_8.jpg

-https://em.wattpad.com/c5af31301619589422c53fd1868e70303aba83d9/687474703a2f2f7777772e686f74666c69636b2e6e65742f666c69636b732f323030345f31335f476f696e675f4f6e5f33302f3030345447545f436872697374615f425f5f416c6c656e5f3031332e6a7067?s=fit&h=360&w=360&q=80

-http://media.biobiochile.cl/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/tumblr_m69538cpct1qkqk6fo1_400.jpg

-https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ-JZZxkaDfyj9gptb-xCrTOA2bSYnLdSXM0OmNSb9j9EPl981NJA