3rd tutorial questions

1. Examine class representations from American television's beginnings to today sticoms, reality shows, police drama and daytime talk shows.

 The representation of Americans in television has been a major concern in mainstream American culture.The representation of Americans that portrayed in television misconstrued image of what Americans represent.Results shows that 89% of TV population is white and left 6% of them were black.Since local news media may be the primary source of learning for many adults, it plays a vital part in policy debates regarding civil rights, the public’s general knowledge about minority communities, and a broader and more comprehensive worldview. Therefore, ownership in media suggests that American-Africans should be well present in media, especially reality shows and daytime talk shows.

2.What is the American dream and how has it been portrayed on television.Who has it excluded and why ?

American dream is known as  a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work.The idea of American dream proclaims that 'All men are created equal'. The American Dream is almost anything, anything that anyone sets there mind & heart to. However, television & movies portray the American Dream specifically, or so it seems, for an American to have a loving-nuclear family, great job, somewhat known, rich, & even throws in a little puppy into the picture.Many people believed that American dream that portrayed in television is real ,fabulous lifestyle with loving family although is unachievable and unattainable image of ideal family.

3.How do media representations of class reflect the larger social system and social equality?

4.How is the working class portrayed when it has been represented?

 Working class is known as a range of culture created by working class people. In American popular culture, working-class people are often portrayed as losers.Working-class women in television sitcoms are often portrayed as physically out of control – fat, loud, overly sexual, and dressed in loud and inappropriate clothing.  It’s even worse for the men.  They might not look any more “refined” than the women, but at least most female working-class characters are competent.Too often, though, “working class” is a derogatory term. In a country where everyone is supposed to have an equal opportunity to get ahead, calling someone working class can feel like a put down.  The American dream isn’t achieving great wealth; it’s becoming part of the middle class. Because of our faith in the possibility of upward mobility through effort and talent, people who remain in the working class are often judged as failures.

5.What are the struggles faced in trying to get a show about class people on TV ?



6.How are race and gender intertwined with class on TV ?

 In TV shows, we can clearly seen that Chinese are potrayed as rich people either businessman or businesswoman, Malay portrayed as majority, middle class people while Indians always portrayed as thieves and robbers. Black people always portray as the poor one, the lowest class people especially in documentary film such as National Geographic and discovery channels. White people always portray as business people and high standard people who work in industry with branded clothings and bags. Men is always the dominant one, they always want to be hero in their own stories and they want to show off their status and power.For an example, men always masculine in the movie such as Spiderman, Batman, Ultraman, Hulk,Thor, Superman and more.However,female always portray as the feminine and weak character who follow men language in most of the movie.This is how media potray different races in movies and shows.