Barriers to Diversity in Film – A Research Review – Aug 07

5.5 Stereotypes
The stereotypical portrayal of minorities and women in film and
television, whereby these are the only images represented on screen,
remains contentious. When there is a wider range of portrayals of
under-represented groups, the debate becomes muddied by arguing
there is dangerous stereotypical portrayal in some, or that these
portrayals are open to various interpretations. Kohli argues that some
stereotypes become stereotypical because there is truth in them. He
gives as an example the fact that large numbers of small shop keepers
in certain areas are of Asian origin. His taking on the acting role of an
Asian shopkeeper was therefore valid and the role did not feed into
stereotypes, since it was realistic (Kohli 2007). In essence the content
of the role is perhaps more critical, but the arguments on stereotyping
remain contested. If the role is not realistic, stereotypes can reduce
differences in people to simplistic categorisations and may perpetuate
social prejudice and inequality.
If only a few characters from diverse groups are represented on screen
this may reinforce stereotypes. It has been argued that groups are not
yet seen in their variety on television, for example Chinese and
disabled people are virtually absent. Minorities usually become ‘bad
news’, with television portrayal emphasising their strangeness.
Disabled and ethnic minority roles are discarded easily and characters
from ethnic minorities are often mistakenly identified, in relation to
their ethnic origin, religion and so on. For example, an Asian family in
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