Racism
Racism is a common problem in the Hollywood industry. Both actors and directors struggle to meet their targets. Erigha (1217-1220) evaluated the issue and found out that the African American film directors face many problems. Also, Erigha (1220) discusses how racial inequality has grown in the Hollywood industry. The minority people have faced challenges related to racial inequality in the film industry after the Civil Rights period. The movies after the Civil Rights were mostly about slavery. Slavery movies helped in dealing with problems the Blacks faced when they were still under bondage.
However, since the stop of slavery, Hollywood chose to assume the problem affecting Blacks. This aspect occurred as Hollywood grew over the years. Erigha (1221-1223) finds out that black directors suffer discrimination in various work stations like studios. They do not appear in top positions. Being on top also needs hard work. The Black directors worked more than the White directors in reaching the top. The Whites have received support from various people who have already reached the top. White directors have also struggled in their way. The White directors have had success because they understand American culture. They know how to mix languages and culture to produce a successful society within a movie. However, for Black directors, the people struggled to ensure they made it. They must have success in being an actor or actress before being a director. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
King (1) explains that Black directors and managers face tough challenges in reaching senior positions. Color-blind racism is a problem in Hollywood. One solution that the movie industry considers reducing racism is building cinemas or movies meant for minorities. According to King (2), establishing Black cinema will not solve the racist problems in the industry. The black cinemas will generate further issues of racial segregation among the two communities. King’s study supports this paper by providing information on racism in the movie industry.
The issue of staging is an essential topic in the movie industry. The acting in the stage determines the way individuals interact. The Whites and the minorities interacting in the scene reflect how the actors think about racism. For instance, how Black and White actors work together helps in understanding the challenges of racism. Kate Mendeloff (81) discusses the “spirit of Detroit,” where she weighs the black and white actors in staging. She gives a story of how police brutality affects people of color. The people have an opportunity to interact and make decisions regarding racism.
Also, Blacks face stereotyping in the movie industry. Robinson (157-160) takes time to understand the stereotyping seen in black actors and performance. He also evaluates how this process took place between the 1930s and the 1960s (157-160). The highly sticking stereotyping is a black movie star living in real life, as shown in films. Blacks have been seen as strong, hard-working men. However, they have also been shown to have negative characters, such as engaging in drugs, violence, and crime. Blacks suffered during the Civil Rights movement. They appeared in roles that were considered useless. And the sad part is that they were paid little as compared to White actors. The people who lived during these times created a notable difference between the Whites and Blacks. Even after the `1960s, African Americans still struggled to show their power to work in top positions in movies. This idea changed when there was a need to have directors or roles that only Blacks had to play. For example, acting the Civil Rights and Martin Luther required most Black individuals. These changes affected how directors viewed Blacks. They were given a high chance of working in various roles. The changes have continued up to date, with Blacks being the main actors or actresses. Also, Blacks have acted areas successfully where they were needed. For example, movies containing sports like basketball require African Americans. This issue has helped the Blacks to continue taking positions that they did not have previously.
While still discussing the relevance of movies, Robinson (157-160) also mentioned how viewers see movie actors and how their movie characters show how they are in the real world. Movie actors and actresses have personal lives. However, their lives are sometimes influenced by how they work in movies. Robinson (157-160) mentions that the actors and actresses playing roles in films have been viewed according to what they act. Movies are translations from real-life events. When people act, their characters become expressed in the movie. Most actors and actresses have used their roles to advertise their work. They have involved themselves in marketing their image, which is essential for companies to use in selling their products.
The stereotyping in Blacks has influenced how they have been viewed in movies. The hard work they show in the film has helped them overcome the challenges of stereotyping. Blacks have considered comedy in explaining the various issues affecting them. The work of African Americans in comedy has increased the need for the Hollywood industry to include comedy in most films. Creating different cultures within a movie is considered success. Hollywood business people and companies consider the building of the image in society. Therefore, Black stereotyping has been essential in creating humor and improving business. Most Black comedians have a talent and express the issues affecting all people. They act voices of Asians, Latinos, Whites, Hindus, and even other ethnicities.
While discussing the issue of racism against minorities, there is a need to assess racism behind the scenes. Much focus has been on how racism is established in movies and other related projects. However, it is essential to understand the issues taking place behind the scenes. The Whites have a big say in different top positions. This is where many decisions are made. For example, the positions include studio executives, writers, producers, and directors. When whites have filled these positions, they take a high focus on the whites in acting. They favor the Whites in coming up with important decisions and white movies. However, they fail to show Black videos and lack stories for them.
Latinos have also found a position in the film industry. While Hollywood has racist issues, Latinos have not been much affected. They have survived through different themes. The Latinos have quickly taken positions in the movie industry because of the culture. Latinos are seen as individuals that love fun. They value Christian religion, although mainly Catholic. Their language has been recognized as beautiful. The Hispanic language is shown as romantic and full of kindness. They have the opportunity to get jobs in the movie industry. However, competition in positions means they have to build ways to increase their numbers. There are few Latino directors as compared to Blacks. The difference could be because Blacks have worked on different issues of life. The history of America depends on stories about Blacks. They also show how they have suffered to be where they are.
Hollywood Films Showing Asian Stereotyping
Asian stereotyping is a significant problem for Asian people and other people in America. The racial stereotyping is common in the film industry. For example, Asians are believed to know karate. They are also clever. These ideas bring the challenges of seeing people the way they are. Chou and Feagin (22-25) talk about the racism affecting Asian Americans. Asian Americans suffer from discrimination. They are stereotyped according to what they always do, including academics and sports. Chou and Feagin (24-26) said that Asians in America and those coming to the country face racism. Language barriers affect those who come from Asia. Those born in America do not get favorable chances to survive. Asians have struggled in the film industry in various ways.
Managing the movie industry has been a challenge for Asians. Erigha (67-70) mentions how Asians face racism in Hollywood. Few Asians are directors in Hollywood movies. Also, they perform lower roles as compared to Whites. Asian people find only a few characters to match the balance of races within a film. Chou and Feagin (30-33) describe them as Yellow. This symbolizes how their color faces stereotyping. The industry value the hiring of minority directors. However, the movies show racial pictures of minorities. However, the major talk should be on how this issue has developed. For example, movies check on different topics, including the participation of Asian people in the film. Unlike Blacks, Asians have not participated that much in the movie industry. Also, the Black stereotyping led to them taking small roles. These roles changed as time went by, with now Black directors adding in number.
Another issue is how Asians have been neglected, and other people take their roles. Asian actors and actresses have little opportunities in America as compared to other races. One reason is that Whites sometimes take roles of Asians and transform themselves. For instance, the parts that require Asian Americans in movies have been given to Whites that resemble Asians. These movies take Whites and teach them about Asian culture. They learn how to eat, act, or behave like Asians. Therefore, they take positions where companies required Asians. These problems have led to Asians struggle to find ways of getting chances at movie levels. Besides, Asian actors struggle to get top positions in movies unless they have engaged in the film for a long time.
Stereotyping is a challenge for Asians. Asian Americans have been viewed differently. Sun et al. (294-314) discussed the problem of Asian-American stereotypes in the media industry. The researchers wanted to know how viewers of different races regarding Asians working in the media industry. The study confirms that people criticize Asians in movies and develop stereotyping of Asians. The study also finds out that modern technology will not help in solving problems of wrong representing of a racial group.
Asians have the responsibility to continue taking positions in the movie industry. Just like the Blacks did in overcoming challenges in society, Asians have the chance to improve performance. Asians can consider roles of humor and comedy in advancing their roles in Hollywood. Asians have an opportunity of building on the main characteristics that they have been stereotyped. Currently, they have taken successful steps in mixing karate and other activities in a movie. Asian concepts have been portrayed in Hollywood in different ways. The introduction of Chinese culture in Hollywood has continued to improve the way Americans view Asians in different ways. The main advantage of the Asians is that they have enhanced businesses with the US in various industries. The Hollywood industry, therefore, takes an interest in success stories of real-world processes. The Asian community has the opportunity to consider the current steps towards improving
Effect of Minority Ethnic Cultures
In discussing the effect of minority ethnic cultures, racial issues arise. The first issue is how the minority groups have been shown in movies. Banjo (89-91) explains ways in which films with blacks deal with relations about race. While racism has been a big challenge in cinema, the directors have looked for ways of using racism to create humor. Banjo (92-94) also explains that non-black movie characters (in most times, the whites) are shown in movies by racial humor and how they express the minority status of blacks. Apart from the views, Banjo (89-90) says that friendship between blacks and non-blacks (such as whites) in movies containing many blacks show a not forced, regular, and natural relationships. These cultural changes in the film have been significant in changing the real-life views about racism. The directors have used movies to increase the connection between Blacks and Whites. The way Blacks and Whites interact in the film depends on the current nature of issues affecting society.
American culture is essential in having interactions. Maiza (17-23) talks about how American popular culture sustains racism. The role of racism in Hollywood comedy movies is to put issues affecting minorities in society. Maiza (21-24) analyzes how racial humor occurs through comedy shows. The target is blacks, as they are active in the comedy industry. However, Maiza (18-23) talks about the problems affecting blacks in racial humor and why many African Americans are successful in comedy. The results of the study show that negative picture and stereotyping characters of blacks helps in increasing racial humor. This research answered issues about the culture of blacks that make them stereotyped.
Another critical factor is the role of religion in movies. Movies have continued to use religion in their themes. Various religious views have been used in Hollywood. Otterback (7-11) studied the stereotyping of Islam and Islamic cultures in the Hollywood movie industry. Islamic culture developed into a serious culture in the industry. There were both positive and negative things attached to the Islamic religion. For example, after the 9/11 attacks, the issue of religious discrimination occurred. Movies saw Muslims as terrorists. However, the film twisted the challenge by putting it as a rumor. Otterback (8-15) explains how the Islamic religion has faced racial humor. Besides, the discussion contains how connected socio-cultural practices and religion increase talks on racial humor. However, various changes take place throughout the last two decades, with multiple notions about Islam changing according to the needs of society.
Another critical topic is civilization and viewing things differently. Mauk and Oakland (38-44) discuss the issue of American Civilization. The country’s culture was essential in addressing concerns about the way of living. The challenges about American life are real. For instance, American life explains the vital aspect of racism and its nature. According to Mauk and Oaklada (11-19), the significant issues of American society include ethnicity and racism. Racism has been changed in society according to American life. Racism in society was brought into the movie industry, just like other jobs. The problem affected various areas of economy and social issues. Racism affected education as people could not choose the schools to study. Posts were made different so that Whites could get high paying jobs while Blacks received low paying jobs. Discussing the origin of racism will help understand how this social problem comes to being in the movie industry.
Hollywood has a problem with racism, especially on the Oscars. The Oscars is a popular program where the movie directors compete. Academy Awards have gone to Whites for many years. However, the only time a Black director has won was during the 2014 celebration awards. The movie “12 Years a Slave” became the best; thus, the Black director was given an award. Also, the Oscars value white stories when they award individual directors. The story of the whites has been famous in the awards. The problem with awards is that it explains racism in a different look.
Television scripts have been necessary for developing a person in becoming a director. The Whites have the jobs of writing television stories. Television networks are increasing in numbers. Companies are shifting to a television network in coming up with series. The White writers and showrunners have a significant role in making decisions. They choose whites in important roles and jobs. The process occurs again when directors want people for movies. The directors go for Television writers who have understood how Hollywood works. Racism in this industry has extended in various positions. If the Blacks were considered in many top posts, they would bring different stories that show a mixture of people from different races.
In reducing the issue of racism in Hollywood, the industry should start hiring directors from minority races. Employing directors will help in improving the quality of diversity in the institution. Their directors should represent minority groups. Taking the Black directors into studio executive offices while help them understand their needs. Black directors can easily employ actors with a variety of racial backgrounds, including white, black, Latinos, and Asians. The same case applies to other minorities where leaders would take the chance to build a team of actors and actresses.
Conclusion
From the analysis, racism in the Hollywood film industry is a common thing. Many movie directors have made choices based on racial natures. Selecting minority races and ethnic communities help to produce movies that deal with issues affecting society. The picture Hollywood shows to society is how to manage racism. In the previous century, Blacks suffered racism because they were not superior. However, changes in the movie industry caused them to get positions that pay high. These changes led to the increase of movie companies to consider changing how they view minority cultures. Minority cultures became an essential aspect of achieving a better view of life. Hollywood has used comedy to show how America can deal with racism. Movies discuss racism through these processes. Other affected groups include Asian Americans and Latinos. The people have struggled in the movie industry. Asians have suffered more, with very few roles given to them. The movie industry also has issues about religion, including the Islamic faith.