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Anthropology Date: December 13, 2013
Latin community is indeed a very important part of the American society. Throughout centuries Hispanics were playing an increasingly significant role in the development of the nation. Now days it is even difficult to address to them as a minority, as in various Southern states they already represent the most part of the population. All major governmental and informative resources in the American sector of the Internet also are practically bilingual and contain content both in English and Spanish. The overall importance of the Latino culture as system of moral values is growing as well, and the influence of such culture on daily American reality should not be underestimated.
It is quite natural, therefore, that Latin community in general and specific members of it, in particular, occupy a certain niche in mass media. In the existing non-discriminating and politically correct environment it is not uncommon to see actors, anchormen, authors of Hispanic origin. Periodically the waves of fashion for the Hispanic culture increase their proportion significantly. It is natural that this part of population is also present in various TV shows, including reality shows.
In order to evaluate the extent and presence of Latin personalities in the US reality shows and analyze their perception and functions, let’s have a brief look at such shows per se and try to understand their role in the modern media. The main distinctive feature of reality shows is the fact that they are supposed to be a kind of real-time documentaries without a preliminary plot. This is a formal criteria which is not of course always followed. Reality shows are a form of entertainment and cannot be considered a verified source of true and impartial information.
So, what are the functions of the reality shows? As it was mentioned above, they are here to entertain the audience. Due to this fact they naturally avoid overcomplication in order to be appealing to as many viewers from the target audience as possible. Although they formally lack a specific scenario, they nevertheless get edited to fit in a certain logical, informational and ideological paradigm in order to fulfill the goals of their creators. This brings us to the second function of reality shows. As all other forms of entertaining programs they serve the purpose of increasing the ratings of respective TV channels, therefore bolstering their overall popularity, commercial value and cost of advertising for the entities concerned. Apart from that, reality shows are a strong mean of manipulation of public opinion. Regular TV series, motion pictures and even news broadcasts have a far less compelling power. The former ones are clearly plotted, movies are aimed at getting a proper box office or providing enormous volumes of commercials at a high price *which is indeed quite valuable for the TV companies but bring questionable informative value to the viewers), while news programs, although are also capable of showing people and events at a certain angle, do not nevertheless allow the audience to watch the situation in dynamics, therefore providing only a fragmented picture. Reality shows, on the other hand, are a source of all the advantages of other forms of TV entertainment combined together.
First of all, they are normally relevant to a point of public interest. Political campaigns, daily routine of police, firefighters and the military, deep and profound description of the criminal underworld or the high spheres of fashion, singing or dancing contests – they have it all. There can be a reality show concerning almost any issue, any problem in the world, from the personal life of Kim Kardashian to plastic surgery for pets. Secondly, reality shows are capable to follow a certain problem from the moment of its appearance to its resolution (it goes without saying, of course, that the issue by itself may be artificial by nature and be simply appealing to the public). Finally, reality shows let the producers reach the effect of compassion among viewers. Properly made shows let people identify themselves with show characters, therefore taking the questions raised both seriously and personally. This is the reason that reality shows may be quite a strong mean of propaganda and influence considerably viewers’ perception of events, communities or specific persons.
Throughout this research, it is incredibly important to avoid certain mistakes which may compromise the clarity of its results and lead us to fake or unbalanced conclusions. First of all, due to the wide range of various genres of reality shows (as specified above) it would not be entirely reasonable to stick to specific examples, but it may be fruitful to perform the analysis of general metadata and try to draw a conclusion based on common sense as well as on respective scholarly sources explored. Secondly, the purpose of this research is not in raising subjective racially-motivated issue or biases. It would be indeed tempting to stick to the primitive two-dimensional system of stereotypes, but in reality even the most unrealistic and artificial reality shows (in this particular case this oxymoron is quite appropriate) reflect to a certain degree, although not always directly, the existing paradigm of socio-cultural relations within the society and often allow to read between the lines. This quality undoubtedly distinguishes a serious researcher from a rookie scholar who may be quite content with citing yellow press instead of analyzing proper data professionally and impartially. Finally, it would be a mistake to forget that there is a reverse causation between reality shows and general public, which may lead to the phenomenon of a self-fulfilling prophecy, when certain elements of reality shows, initially not prevalent or even popular among the audience, become real and wide-spread due to the fact that there were seen and imitated by many.
So, to proceed with respective analysis, I would like to propose three main hypotheses concerning the depiction of the Latin community in the US reality shows:
1. There is no intentional discriminating policy against Latin community in general or its specific members in particular within the context of the US reality shows;
2. The system of stereotypes commonly associated with Hispanic population does not signify any specific dislike or disrespect to this part of population;
3. TV reality shows may be an efficient instrument of influence of general public towards further perception of the Latin community in real life.
Now let’s assess each of these points in order to test the validity of respective statements, analyze relevant argumentation and try to develop an impartial and objective point of view on them.
The first point at first sight may be considered the most questionable and controversial one. Don’t we see how criminals of Hispanic origin get arrested on TV every day, while we watch reality detective and police shows? Don’t we witness scandalous escapades of Hispanic celebrities and models? It may seem that modern media magnates make a lot of money trying to convince the general public that the fashionable nowadays area of public scandals is being heavily influenced (if not dominated) by characters of Latin origin? A shallow observer would most likely agree with this statement without bothering to get into the depth of the issue. In my understanding, the answer to these questions is not so obvious. It may be admitted that in the eyes of a common viewer representatives of the Hispanic community are often associated with behavior of certain kind. This point of view is currently being exploited (and not without success) by producers. However it is my intention to analyze the logical relations between components of this concept.
Now let’s have a look at a specific example. For instance, in police-related reality shows it may be seen that many of the people detained and put into custody happen to be of Hispanic origin. A casual viewer would instantly develop a certain train of thought. If Hispanic persons are being detained by the police, therefore they must have committed some kind of wrongdoing. If this assumption is correct, than these people are criminals. Since they are criminals, why not expand the umbrella effect and claim other members of the Latin community to be criminals as well? Especially those of same or similar age, social status and appearance as those who got caught on TV. I consider this logic to be flawed for a number of reasons. First of all such shows in their quest for cheap popularity do not concentrate their efforts on showing the hard-working and honest Hispanic people, who undoubtedly form the vast majority of respective ethnic group. Secondly, it is logical to assume that while the Hispanics represent a considerable proportion of the American population, they may be also a source of an increasing number of felons. This has nothing to do with their original system of values or the way there were brought up, it is pure statistics. Finally, while watching shows about Hispanic crime syndicates, it is extremely tempting to proclaim them the root of evil somewhere in LA or Miami, it should be kept in mind that there are also people of other ethnic and cultural origins depicted in the shows, and while the Hispanic participants undoubtedly add some spice to the chain of events, they do not constitute that majority of offenders. If one wishes to have an impartial look at the issue, he or she should simply count the proportion of participants of such shows who have Hispanic roots. This number used to be relatively low in the previous dec ade and is currently increasing, therefore reflecting, as it was mentioned above, the existing demographic trends together with socio-cultural transformation and aspirations of the viewers.
Now let’s have a closer look at the second hypothesis and factual information associated with it. It is always easier for people to assess elements of reality using certain specific and well-established concepts of perception. Usually such concepts are not entirely emotionally neutral, which is also one of the peculiarities of the human mind. Perception of Latin characters in reality shows is no exception in this regard. Throughout plenty of reality shows of various nature and aimed at different audiences, from housewives to professionals and from schoolchildren to seniors, one may detect certain blocks of emotional and subconscious biases and stereotypes aimed at the Hispanic community.
Stereotypes may be classified in using various methods and logic systems. The first method of such classification is based on the emotional component of judgment. In this regard it may be said that there are positive and negative stereotypes. Both may be perceived as potential role models for viewers and both may (and usually do) provoke certain, usually strong, emotional reactions. Negative stereotypes may involve exposure of certain people on the screen to such traits of character and behavioral patterns as sloth, addiction to various substances, lack of social integration, improper conduct, excessive emotionality and so forth. Positive stereotypes may involve perception of the Hispanics as religious, family-oriented people with strong network effects and capabilities within their communities. The question is – to which extent is one group of stereotypes prevalent over the other?
Surprisingly, there is no simple answer to this question, as the overall perception in this case is very difficult to quantify. Various reality shows demonstrate unequal extent of depiction of certain stereotypes. This approach is based on the very essence of this kind of programs – they pursue specific goals, and such goals may or may not be the same. In this respect it is tempting to go in for primitive speculation (Hispanics are being perceived as sluggards, or criminals, or fervent Catholics etc.), however the big picture is much more complex than that, besides the paradigm of perception may change over time, and the clusters of stereotypes that are being demonstrated and promulgated vary respectively.
Another method of classification of stereotypes is of functional nature. It demonstrates whether there are certain professions or social roles are prevalent among Hispanics. As an example, certain reality shows may depict them as middle-class home owners, the other – as farmers or illegal immigrants, the third – as artists, singers and other men of art. There is a wide range of methods which may be used in order to incorporate specific perception of this group of stereotypes in the minds of the common viewers.
While analyzing the impact of these stereotypes on the public perception of Latin community by the audience through the reality shows, it should be kept in mind that apart from passive assessment of respective behavioral patterns which are being displayed on the screen, there may also be a much more serious impact on reality. I would take the liberty of defining this phenomenon as reciprocal causation. In other words, when people of the Hispanic origin watch respective reality shows (the situation may be especially representative in case of minors) that may accept the models and attitudes displayed as a pattern for real life situations. Criminals of Hispanic origin, for example, may appear as attractive role models for the younger generation. People tend to omit the fact that even though the shows pretend to be realistic, they still evolve within a certain concept and may target specific basic instincts of the viewers (violence and lust being two of them) in order to get higher ratings.
It would be unjust, however, to claim that the Hispanic characters are unique in this regard. In order to achieve scandalous popularity, reality shows demonstrate and provoke a wide range of biases and stereotypes concerning various ethnic groups, e.g. Italian Americans, African Americans, Slavonic Americans and so forth. Due to this reason it would be somewhat premature to state that the Latin population is being especially disliked or discriminated in this regard. Reality shows follow their own logic and expose stereotypical elements of various nations, accordingly.
It is also true, however, that reality shows, especially demonstrated nationwide and in prime time, enjoy attention of millions of viewers from Maine to California and From Hawaii to Key West. An instrument of such informational influence may be used in order to gain popularity or potentially discriminate a certain minority group. Although individual perception of people and event shown in reality shows may differ significantly at an individual level, in case of financial; crisis, growth of unemployment and other social and economic calamities, it may be tempting to decrease the extent of national tension by demonstrating a scapegoat to the nation. There is a theoretical threat that it may be achieved by showing the Latin population of the United States of America as the social group which does not contribute entirely to the wealth of the nation. This approach, however, may be risky, especially taking into account the degree of influence that Hispanic population and its culture have on daily political and social life in many southern states.
Upon completing description and analysis if respective information, it is now logical to evaluate the hypotheses provided at the beginning of this research.
Hypothesis one, although it still remains ambiguous and somewhat questionable, is, in my understanding, more or less correct. What is being done in reality shows in their quests for viewers and respective ratings may be defined as a reflection of the general tendency which exists in the modern American society towards the increase of the influence of the Hispanic community on various spheres of life. The fact that certain people or groups are being depicted with a certain degree of negative connotation, does not mean any discrimination against the community at the overall level. The shows simply demonstrate some things that happen to people who happen to be of Hispanic origin, but they do not in general provoke ethnic intolerance in any form.
Hypothesis number two is also valid and properly logically justified. Reality shows, although they pretend to be as realistic as possible, are using (and sometimes abusing) a common system of stereotypes. It is true that the Hispanic participants of such shows happen to be bearers of such stereotypes, but it is also correct to say that other ethnic groups have plenty of their own. This schematic approach is being used by producers in order to deliver the message and reach the purpose of such programs in a more effective and efficient way.
The third hypothesis is formally correct, but in practice its validity is strongly limited. The extent to which TV reality shows may be used in the United States of America as a mean of subtle or open propaganda is strongly regulated, not only by the current legislation and professional guidelines, but also by the general public. America, which has always been a melting pot of various nations, is strong due to its unity. It is not in the nations political, social, cultural and economic interests to evade the foundation on which the country was built.
Summing up the research and its findings, I would like to admit that this topic is indeed of high importance in the modern America. This work allowed me to analyze the objects of reality which we often accept as granted and draw conclusions which may not be obvious for the general audience.
References
- Hoffmann, Allison R., and Noriega, Chon C. Looking for Latino Regulars on Prime-Time Television: The Fall 2003 Season.CSRC Research Report, No.3 (April 2004).
- Rivadeneyra, Rocio. Distorted Reflections: Media Exposure and Latino Adolescents’ Conceptions of Self. Media Psychology, No.9 (2007), p. 261-290.
- Oliver, Mary Beth. Predictors of Viewing and Enjoyment of Reality-Based and Fictional Crime Shows.Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, No. 72(1995), p. 559-574.
- Tamborini, Ron. The Color of Crime and the Court: A Content Analysis of Minority Representation on Television. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, No. 77(2000), p. 639-656.
- Mastro, Dana E. Latino Representation on Primetime Television. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, No. 82(2005), p. 110-128.
- Faber, Ronald J.Television Portrayals of Hispanics: A Comparison of Ethnic Perceptions. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Vol.11(1987), p. 155-169.
