As a school teacher I spend my summers at home with my two young children, whom keep me busier than I am when I'm working! This is one of the first weeks this summer where we actually spent the week at home playing in the hot, hot weather! We ventured out twice this week, once to to the grocery store and once to the library. In these trips I did not observe any forms of microaggression to my knowledge. I have turned my focus to the little television I do watch. I did notice some forms of microaggression on mainstream television. I really noticed how television, even channels designed for kids, are geared towards the dominant culture. Most television shows portray middle class Caucasian families. Rarely do you see a person with a disability or people of various races. Within the television shows both microinsult and microinvalidation are prominently displayed. The comments made are supposed to be used as comedy, however, I can see how they can be extremely insulting and degrading. For example, I watched an episode of Seinfeld that openly used microinsult to demean both American Indians and Asian Americans as the plot for the half hour episode. I'm not into reality shows, but I have noticed from commercials and previews all forms of microinsult are used to attract the audience. It is amazing the amount of microaggresion that can be observed, even after watching television for a short amount of time. It's sad that many of our nation's children spend countless hours watching television and forming their beliefs and values from what they see on T.V.
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you regarding all of the "junk" that is now on television. I am very cautious about what I allow my son baron to watch because even some kid shows are inappropriate. It makes me really sad to think of how much children are influenced by television, and now with all of the technological gadgets booming, it will only get worse.
Thanks,
Andrea
Media has a powerful influence on children. This is one of the reasons that the AEYC Affiliate that I belong to opposed the NAEYC/Fred Rogers new position statement on technology
ReplyDeleteConsuming Kids: the Commercialization of Childhood is and excellent video to watch. Our AEYC Affiliate (Beach Cities AEYC) has presented it for a workshop in collaboration with a local community college. Every parent and teacher can benefit from seeing that video.
I absolutely believe that media portrayals of particular groups, genders, races, etc perpetuate the very stereotypes that most people try to overcome. It is rather unfortunate that even through jokes, music, and TV shows our children are inundated with these subtle forms of -ism's. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteP.S. - Have you ever checked out your local PBS?
I agree that media provides a misconception to the public of what is funny and what is simply ignorance. I think if people stopped to think about the things that are coming from their mouths before they say them many misunderstandings would not occur. Thanks for sharing Alicia
ReplyDeleteHi Alicia:
ReplyDeleteOur blogs are somewhat similar because I mentioned a show I watched on DVD but it comes on TV; The Dave Chappelle Show. They refer to a lot of stereotypes in a joking way. However, I said that I believe they do that in order to keep us from getting too upset about them. But you are right, they can be degrading. I'm praying for change because we all need to encourage each other, no matter our background is. And these stereotypes need to stay out of the way...Good post!