Economic Sociology: Fueling Mainstream Racism

Erving Goffman once stated, “society is an insane asylum run by inmates” and what motivates society is the concept of economic status. This “asylum” is built on a foundation of standards set by the economy of a country. The idea of Economic Sociology is never more apparent than when analyzing mass media production, especially in the film industry. Sociology and economy are the primary factors why common stereotypes of African Americans in the film industry are so frequently accepted because they unfortunately fuel the fire of misconceptions viewed in the media. Society should no longer accept the misrepresentation of African Americans in mainstream film production.

This misrepresentation of African Americans in mainstream film production has been perpetuated a society that seems to find these stereotypical characters to be entertaining and a film industry that finds them to be profitable. The economic motivation behind the entertainment industry is partially to blame for the popularity of offensive stereotypes in the mass media. Apparently, stereotypes sell. This unfortunate yet apparent truth can be dated back to its origins “Blackface” entertainment. Which was the initial perpetuation of racist images and negative perception of the African American community worldwide.

“Every immigrant group was stereotyped on the music hall stage during the 19th Century, but the history of prejudice, hostility, and ignorance towards black people has insured a unique longevity to the stereotypes. White America's conceptions of Black entertainers were shaped by minstrelsy's mocking caricatures and for over one hundred years the belief that Blacks were racially and socially inferior was fostered by legions of both white and black performers in blackface” (“Blackface”).

“Blackface” entertainment, very similar to the stereotypical characters seen today, has established a divide between races that is frequently portrayed in mainstream film. The film industry is profiting on society’s modern form of mental and social segregation. The film industry’s prolific success has come at the expense of the African American community for far too long. Bottom line, the misrepresentations of African Americans is an economic investment of great magnitude and has been a major part of the lucrative business that is the film industry. There needs to come a point when profit is no longer allowed to be the driving force of injustice in the media.

The video above is the trailer to Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family. I believe that this was one of the most over the top movies I have ever seen. It amplified stereotypes to a level that I could not even laugh at. All I could think was how absolutely ridiculous he made us look in some odd form of entertainment. I actually am I fan of Tyler Perry and some of his films but this one was just too much.

Others would argue that the stereotypes of African Americans in the film industry are justifiable. They claim that “Stereotypes are not inherently a bad thing. In fact, they can be quite helpful in understanding a complex society in which nothing stays the same” (“What’s wrong”). Supporters of the misrepresentations of African Americans in mainstream film claim that the depictions seen in the media are accurate. They claim that these stereotypes are commonly seen and perpetuated by African American individuals in the community.

The entire African American community is not one that can be thought of narrowly and economic promise should not be allowed to perpetuate such an injustice. If we can better understand society’s motive to enable and the mass media’s economic depth in the involvement to this unfortunate form of “entertainment,” then we can find a solution to produce more accurate entertainment.

Works Cited

Blackface! - The History of Racist Blackface Stereotypes. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://black-face.com/>.

"Mass Media and Racism." Yale University. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://yale.edu/ypq/articles/oct99/oct99b.html>.

"Stereotypes and Prejudices." Holocaust Cybrary Remembering the Stories of the Survivors - Remember.org. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://remember.org/guide/History.root.stereotypes.html>.

"Top 10 Racial Stereotypes | Top 10 Lists | TopTenz.net." Top 10 Lists - Top Ten Lists - TopTenz.net. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-racial-stereotypes.php>.

"What’s Wrong With A Stereotype? | Clutch Magazine." Clutch Magazine: Fashion.beauty.life.culture. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2009/06/whats-wrong-with-a-stereotype/>.

"Why Are Stereotypes so Entertaining? | Psychology Today." Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness Find a Therapist. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sex-drugs-and-boredom/201004/why-are-stereotypes-so-entertaining>.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJlfqMDJaPQ