Jerrell Mobley

Professor Malcolm Campbell

English 1103
9/27/16
Topic Proposal: What BS has T.V. been Feeding us?
Introduction/Overview
I will be examining the positions minorities hold in T.V. and media, and how they are portrayed
to the public eye. I am focusing on the aspects of media that has formed the minds of minorities
and whites alike about different races, good or bad. I will be looking at the aspects from when
television just began until now. I want to determine what things have remained the same and
what is different now, also I want to know how the media portrayal can affect the perception of
other people. I have been reading articles from bloggers to college professors trying to get the
viewpoint from professional to armature as they may not have the same profession but still are
aware of the issues. Also, I have watched YouTube videos discussing the issues of
white washing in T.V. and media, giving minority roles to white actors or actresses. An
example of that is the main character Katniss was described to be a native American but the role,
was given to a white female. In a since this is a controversial subject to be exact anything
involving a race or an ethnicity is controversial. Some people are oblivious, others downright
refuse to believe that this is happening and the last of them are straight bigots. From what I read
basic individuals to groups like the NAACP and BLM movement are making issues like this
known. Here are some sources: https://www.quora.com/Why-do-so-many-civil-rights-filmspivot-around-white-protagonists , http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/long-way-go-

minorities-and-media ,
https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/mediarace/portrayal.htm
Initial Inquiry Question(s)
How are minorities portrayed in media and television? What has changed on T.V. and media and
what has remained the same in regards to the topic? What stereotypes are still being present in
media? And how do they shape our minds about different races?
My Interest in this Topic
I am interested in this topic because I am interested in race relations in America. How the media
presents minorities in America is an intriguing topic to discuss. Especially with what is going on
in America with police and black people in America. I know that minorities in America on T.V.
and media are portrayed only by there stereotypes, the heroic roles are given to white leads on
many occasions. I hope to learn in depth stories and other discussion people have had on the
subject matter.
Next Steps
I will look for documents in library about race relations as I think that is the basis for my paper.
Then, I will try to be more current and look at more articles as well as archives from the past
century. I want opininated as well as factual evidence because perception is reality.