++ Tutorial 3? ++

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

The old days of american television portray only the 'white' americans. Eventually, the races in american television became more diverse, with the addition of asians and africans. However, the whites are portrayed as the good guys whereas the africans will either be depicted as robbers or convicts. However, today, Africans are viewed in a enlightened manner with them playing roles as vital as other races, even the whites. A good example would be the actor Will Smith in movies such as The Pursuit of Happyness.

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

The American Dream is defined as the notion that the American social,economic, and political system makes success possible for every individual. The capitalist system brings joy, perfect health and wealth to every American. It is the thought of having perfection in reality such as a married couple having one son and one daughter. It is shown by the media that to make the American Dream a reality, one must simply work and dedicate themselves to their work as well as their country. If that is achieved then time is the only factor left. It has excluded the minorities such as the African-Americans probably because during the time the American Dream concept was created, they deemed the minorities as having little to no importance in the country and as of now, it all depends on how people view the minorities.

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

The media representations of class as a reflection of the larger social system and social inequality is somewhat true. Segregation has not happened too long ago and the Ku Klux Klan has not been forgotten yet. The only difference is that media tends to over-exaggerate certain points . However, there are times when they portray a form of biasness, such as having the white men having all the power and the minorities and having little to no power. Furthermore, media representations of class happen to be encouraging their portrayals in real-life situations rather than spreading awareness regarding it.

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

The working class are often shown to be struggling  in their work life as well as their social life and seem like they are having immense trouble making ends meet.

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

The general idea about portraying real people and real work situations can be intense and difficult for the reasons of issues of time, as well as not wanting to portray their true selves. One way or another, what you see in reality shows are pretty much a fabrication of what they truly are and that is a fact. 

Some companies might even have policies against being recorded to avoid having their company secrets out in the air. In other words, no matter how well you manage to capture the work life situation, it can never be 100% accurate, especially since everyone experiences things differently.

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

Race : white people are often portrayed as rich, and classy kind of people while the minorities are often shown to be poor and criminals.

Gender: Women are shown to be docile and dormant, always tending to house and children while keeping quiet about their own opinions and desires.

As a result, most white men are shown as the elites of society and bosses of big corporations while black women are often portrayed as house maids.