From the racist images in The Little Rascals to Franklin in the Peanuts comic strip and television programs, by Charles Schulz, mass media is full of images that perpetuate stereotypes. As mass media has evolved and changed, and as new and original voices (like BET) have come into their own, there has been a radical shift in depictions of characters.
In this Assignment, you will select, contribute, and discuss images that continue to promote stereotypes in U.S. media over time.Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCE
To prepare for this Assignment:
- Read the Communication Program Discussion Guidelines.
- Review “Bias in Mainstream News” in this week’s Learning Resources.
- Review “Dispelling Stereotypes Through #blackgirlmagic” in this week’s Learning Resources.
- Read the “Revolutionary Power of Black Panther” in this week’s Learning Resources.
- Review “Black Male Re-Imaged” in this week’s Learning Resources.
By Day 7
Do a web search for “images that perpetuate stereotypes” and choose one that you believe perpetuates a stereotype against a historically marginalized group (African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Indigenous Peoples, the LGBTQ community, women, people with disabilities, people in lower socioeconomic status, etc.).
- Imagining the image was printed by an online publication (magazine, newspaper, website, etc.) write a letter to the editor in which you explain the stereotype the item perpetuates and how.
- Recommend a course of action for the publication as a response to your letter and suggest how they can be more mindful of not perpetuation stereotypes in the future.
- Remember to include a link to the image you chose