Underrepresentation In Black Panther

Movies and entertainment outlets speak volumes about the current state of a nation’s culture. Cinematic creations in the United States allow small voices to be heard and controversial issues to be addressed. However, a repetitive and monumental issue continues to be addressed, yet continues to persist in our 21st century culture, racial inequalities. Since the inception of the United States, black men and women alike have been disenfranchised at the hands of the “white man” in America. Instead of continuing the conversation today, the issue is continually silenced referencing the successes and achievements of the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century. Nonetheless, an unfortunate reality looms upon this great land; racially based systems and structures continue to exist in 2015 the in United States. This paper synthesizes three films focused on racial inequalities in different time periods. Separate but Equal (1991), Selma (2015), and Crash (2005) illustrate how influential the Civil War amendments are, while serving as an uncanny reminder of how the racial prejudices during the 20th century continue to exist in our great nation today. Needless to say our nation has made great strides, but still has a long way to go.

The 2015 Hollywood Diversity Report, published by UCLA’s Ralph J. Bunche Center, said that while minorities account for more than half of frequent US moviegoers, the representation of those minorities has dipped since 2013. The report describes that year as a “breakout year” for black films, including 12 Years a Slave and The Butler. In 2015, Straight Outta Compton made over $60m, which was $20m higher than expected. (Hollywood Diversity Report). The report says black audiences are repeatedly undervalued. What the report is proving is that the lack of diversity in the film industry is actually costing Hollywood money. The problem and solution seem almost obvious when looking at these specific examples – do not underestimate minority audiences and how much money they will collectively spend watching movies with diverse

What images come to mind as one reflects upon his or her childhood? Playgrounds, blackboards, and soccer balls may be among the fondest of memories. Yet, for many, mermaids swim their thoughts, princesses get swept off their feet, and lions roar to their royal place in the animal kingdom. Disney films have captivated the American culture for years and have become a pivotal part of popular culture as well as a form of education. However, these films have devoured the youth of America and, in the process; have perpetuated an institutionally racist society based on harsh stereotypes. Minorities are often underrepresented, and even completely left out, of many Disney films such as Dumbo (1941), The Lion King (1994), Aladdin (1992), and

When you look at the amount of African American stars on television, it is easy to tell that stereotypes of African Americans are being portrayed negatively. Since the 1960s, black television has thrived in many different ways. From “Different Matters” to “Insecure”, African Americans have tried to get rid of this stigma. African Americans are constantly shown as. However, with the increase of representation comes an increase in misrepresentation. The amount of discrimination has risen exponentially in the United States. This is due to the increased hatred and miscommunication of black struggle and black problems in the world, causing an inhumane belief and standard of regular African Americans in the world.

A few people are not impressed by the movie, and do not think that Hollywood should be changed. However, this movie was encouraging for many minority groups since usually the hero is white, while the villain is a person of color. The author of “‘Black Panther' inspires more than African Americans” declared, “Let me be brutally honest: If you are a minority, it's challenging to not be angry with Hollywood for the irresponsibly negative ways it has depicted blacks, Latinos, Muslims, Arabs and other minority groups -- all in the pursuit of making millions, if not billions, of dollars.” This is a clear example of how this movie was different from the others as it shows Africans as the heroes. Minority groups are almost never represented in movies which could make them angry. This movie was a change and by seeing how flourishing the movie was, other movies and casts will be

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a… black Superman? With the representation of all identities growing in different forms of media, superhero comic books have picked up this trend and have begun to introduce characters with diverse backgrounds. Due to the previously mentioned occurrence, readers of different creeds, sexual orientation, and ethnicities are being introduced to the world of superheroes. With this new trend, many questions arise concerning the impact and necessity of underrepresentation and fairness. How have superhero comic books widened their depiction of underrepresented communities, and what role does history play on the characters of comic books? More specifically, how have Marvel and DC Comics been affected by history, and

American actor Anthony Mackie once said “There are a lot of limitations and stigmas that are placed on young actors, specifically young black actors.” You have probably seen black male actors play the leading role of a drug addict, drug dealer, abusive husband or a even a thief. Although they do get a chance to be displayed on the media, they more often than ever are represented or viewed as the antagonist. Why? Because they are set up according to certain limitations in which they must obey. The lack of accurate representation on black actors in the media today is the result of prejudice and racism occurring in society. Racism and prejudice which are demonstrated in the films directed by Spike Lee, Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever.

Mens and Women’s Basketball games at High Point University differ however they both build a sense of Panther Nation. To analyzing the symbols of Panther Nation I attended the Men’s Basketball game against Campbell and I played in the Women’s Basketball game against Liberty. During the Men’s game I was a spectator watching in communion with the fans around me; however during the Women’s game I was a player analyzing the action on the court. Watching the games as a fan and a player offered me different perspectives of the Panther Nation.

The way entertainment in the media portrays us has greatly affected how others identify us. Movies and shows like; Madea’s family Reunion, Bringing down the House, Love and Hip Hop, and Basketball Wives all portray us in a degrading way. People sometimes find it comical of course, but the fact that it is comical does not justify it being debasing. This image of us has evolved from things in the media, and its’ power to shape people’s idea of us. We as a race must stop living up to our stereotypes. As soon as we take action in not succumbing to our own stereotype, people will not think we are “Ghetto” or any other undignified term they think of us; therefore in the media we won’t be perceived in that way. As Colin Powell once said, “Fit no stereotypes. Don't chase the latest management fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team's mission.” Although African American stereotyping is prevalent in the media now because of its’ entertaining quality; it perpetuates a cycle of harmful stereotypes. As long as this cycle continues, our culture will always be illustrated negatively.

Film and television, for example, have been notorious in disseminating images of racial minorities which establish for audiences what people from these groups look like, how they behave, and “who they are.” The power of the

According to Tukachinsky, Mastro, and Yarchi, prior to 1930, the role of Blacks on screen were seen involving mostly in criminality and idleness (540). That role still persists until the present, with Blacks usually have to withstand to “longstanding and unfavorable media stereotypes including sexually provocative females and aggressive male thugs” (Tukachinsky 540). 1970’s movies such as The Mack, Black Caesar and Coffy have reinforced this stereotypic image of the black community. The

My short paper I will be writing on the following documents the Black Panthers and the people and the police in Oakland. The Black Panther party founded in 1966 in Oakland. The Black Panthers were always armed with great words of Malcolm X, laws and weapons. The black panthers were a huge part of American history. They fed the hungry, also protected the weak, from racist police officers and was a huge focus on black political and social activism. In the mid-1960s, the black partners started neighborhood control. In these neighborhood controls they were able to provide education and police services. The black panthers were huge on supporting guns, which they believed guns are used for self-defense but also to retaliate against people who had different views about the poor.

With the recent increase in a greater diversity of characters in media, people have become more tolerant towards differences in other cultures. One such character is Black Panther. In most popular sources of media, people of color are not given the role of the main character; rather, they are supporting characters who are often overlooked by the leading white characters. The scarcity of people of color in media has resulted in many children of color not having a role model to revere who shares their same culture and experiences regarding their race. Black Panther is the first black superhero in mainstream American comics (Johnson). Created in July 1966 during the civil rights movements Black Panther has always been a very progressive character in the superhero genre. The time at which Black Panther was created contributes greatly to the attributes he depicts in the comics and movies. Black Panther’s persistence in completing his task reflects the tenacity shown by protestors during the civil rights movement. In many instances, the struggles which Black Panther undergoes are very similar to the hardships that African Americans faced during the civil rights movements. Black Panther teaches children about the injustices that they may face due to the color of their skin, in a medium that is appropriate for younger generations. The Black Panther franchise also shows children of color that their race should not limit them from achieving success.

Over the course of approximately one-hundred years there has been a discernible metamorphosis within the realm of African-American cinema. African-Americans have overcome the heavy weight of oppression in forms such as of politics, citizenship and most importantly equal human rights. One of the most evident forms that were withheld from African-Americans came in the structure of the performing arts; specifically film. The common population did not allow blacks to drink from the same water fountain let alone share the same television waves or stage. But over time the strength of the expectant black actors and actresses overwhelmed the majority force to stop blacks from appearing on film. For the longest time the performing arts were

This shows Black Panther, in contrast, steeped very specifically and purposefully in its blackness. It’s the first time in a very long time that audience seen a film with centered black people, and their blackness is everything but trivial. Knowledge is power, so the idea that each character is highly intelligent speaks towards this idea of