Today I learnt about the theory and critical contexts behind the issues of representation and identity of race in television and film. Race is defined not just by skin colour but also culture identity, history and experience.
The critical contexts are ideology, hegemony, pluralism, mediation and reception theory which are ued to look at how people are represented and the stereotypes they may carry. An ideology is the set of opinions, values, beliefs and assumptions constructed and presented by the media. Hegemony is also linked to this but predominantly focusing on the dominant ideology within society for example in a sitcom it usually reflects the nuclear family as its main focus.
Mediation i looking at what we see being the filmmakers version of reality rather than the reality or truth. Its the decision - making process of what the filmmakers choose to show on screen and how things like gender, race and class are presented to the audience. Although this is important, its also key from the audiences side in how they read the programme they are watching and understanding whats being shown and this ties into the reception theory.
The first sitcom I watched was Love Thy Neighbour (1972 - 1976). It reflecrs the manifestationss of the other and Freud' narcissism of minor differences. Although the show focuses on cultural differences and racism it also looks at xenophobia showing the fear the husband has from the people next door coming from another culture. The sitcom uses humour and gags in order to represent the issue.
The other sitcom I watched was called Black.ish. This is a more modern US programme that deals with race medialtion (comedy)
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