For millions of people around the globe, television is more than just a source of entertainment; they are a window through which to glimpse the life and culture of people across all nationalities. But as NPR’s Lynn Neary reports, many of the TV programs continue to perpetuate disturbing racial stereotypes (“Racism on Silverscreen,” 2001).
It was viewed that because of these trends in the media outlets, institutional racism still exists. Institutional racism, unlike harsher forms of racism such as apartheid and structural racism, does not have racial intentions. It derives itself from a policy drafted by an institution, whether private or public. The enforcement of such policies results in generalized tendencies that have the systematic effect of disadvantaging certain racial or ethnic groups. It is fundamentally caused by ignorance, thoughtlessness, unwitting prejudice, and haphazard lapses in judgment. Due to its fundamental nature of being unconscious and unintentional, institutional racism becomes more compelling to ignore. However, especially at the hands of people who are passionately professional in working for the institution, the pervasiveness of the discriminatory act becomes highly unavoidable. The lack of intentionality becomes, in itself, a rationalization that racism does not take place. However, it is in institutional racism’s “predominantly hidden character … within the occupational culture” (Macpherson of Cluny, 1999) provides a wide stage for unending jousts and disputes and, in essence, allowing its spectators to form the same level of judgment that translates to a wider propagation of the ethnocentric belief.
However, contrary to this perspective, there are now a number of TV programs and drama series which now highlight the idea of multiculturalism. The best example is the well-known TV drama series entitled “Ugly Betty.” “Ugly Betty” is a TV series which caters to all families. It is focused on an average-looking lady named Betty, who works in a fashion magazine company. This starts the irony in this TV series. Betty, who has very profound knowledge of the fashion industry and branded clothing and/or items but rarely uses that knowledge on herself, is working in a fashion magazine company that highlights looks more than personality. Also, another irony in this drama series lies in the fact that betty, being part of a Mexican family who migrated (through illegal means) to the US territory, is just on a low-level or rank and file level, but her opinions are highly respected by her bosses and other people around her. It is also worth noting that Betty’s bosses are all whites or Americans. They are high and mighty in the company, but they tend to listen to Betty’s advice.
Multiculturalism or the difference in race and ethnicity is highlighted in this TV program because it clearly shows how Americans are different from other races, yet despite the differences, they can still work pretty well with each other. Betty and her family are very Catholic and give high regard to family. Her bosses, on the other hand, don’t talk much about religion and give more time to work and fame than to their own respective families. This just put the Americans in a negative perspective. Because of the American’s priorities, they have broken families, unlike that of Betty’s, which is very tight even up to their extended families. Betty’s family, her sister, plus her nephew all love her so much and are very keen on supporting all her needs. They laugh with Betty when she is happy, and they cry with her when she feels so down. In the same manner, Betty at work, despite being ridiculed by his co-workers at most times (mainly because of her looks and her being from a different race), never fails to show how knowledgeable she is at work. That’s why her boss trusts her very much. She may have some mishaps and flaws, but she already proved to her boss how effective and efficient she is at work. These are how multiculturalism or the difference in race and ethnicity is portrayed in this TV series.
All in all, “Ugly Betty” is a TV program which suits the whole family and whatever race and ethnicity one belongs with. It is a kind of program where one can enjoy and at the same time learn the essence of multiculturalism, life, family, and work.
References
- Macpherson of Cluny, Sir W (1999) The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, Cm 4262 London: Stationery Officer
- “Racism on the Silver Screen” (2001)