Unrealistic Racial Portrayals and Aspects of Reality Television

In Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice Chris Parker claims that “the cultural significance of television lies not only in textual meanings and interpretations, but also in its place within the rhythms and routines of everyday domestic life” (347). Likewise, reality television and race are deeply connected and influential with producers racial and cultural portrayals on shows. If a viewer has limited personal interaction with a particular race or culture, it is more likely for the person to believe the stereotypes displayed on a reality television show as true. Also, if this viewer perceives the depiction to offensive, it is more unlikely that the person would not like to interact or befriend someone from that race. James A. Forbes claims “when people rely on surface appearances and false racial stereotypes, rather than in-depth knowledge of others at the level of heart, mind, and spirit, their ability to assess and understand people accurately is compromised.” Therefore, when viewers rely on reality television producers, experts on surface appearances, to provide authentic portrayals of different races they are weakening their capabilities to make concrete judgment on another group or person. The type of judgement being implied here should be based on personality and morals, instead of depictions of events that could be altered by producers.

The depictions of race on reality television are not particularly discussed on the shows. However, the implications of race on reality television are present if viewers are paying enough attention. Emily M. Drew, a researcher, notes that reality television does not have a ton of discussion regarding race if the show is during prime time. This could intentionally occur since the Civil Rights post-era television tried to avoid openly discussing race. Also, television is supposed to take viewers away from their problems by transporting them to a different world. So, why would viewers who face racial issues daily want to see portrayals of such matters while watching their beloved reality show? Nevertheless, when race is discussed on reality television regarding social problems the considered lesser race seems to be the blame for the issues. This allows producers to create messages that encourage negative depictions of races to viewers who have limited knowledge of race and viewers who actually align with the depictions.

Another implication of reality television regarding races includes intentionally featuring situations that endorse racial stereotypes. Jin Hoon Park, a researcher, highlights how “reality TV unhesitatingly portrays ordinary people’s racial intolerance and bias while capitalizing on racial stereotypes” (153). Park is emphasizing how in social settings most people will not tolerate ratifying racial stereotypes, but in reality television it is acceptable to validate racial stereotypes. Then, Parks identifies two limitations of reality television that endorse current perceptions of race, which are typecasting and producer reconstruction of actual events. An example of a reality show with typecasting is The Real World because in majority of the seasons there are a few Black cast members with a primarily White cast. If the cast of the show was randomly selected, there probably would be a more diversified cast. Then, on shows such as The Bachelor it is clear when actual scenes and statements are changed during the reunion of the show with the cast members discussing the times their actions and words were twisted on the screen.

A group that especially has distorted portrayals in reality television is Black women. Robin Boylorn, a researcher, notes that Black women are portrayed as “modern day mammies and Jezebels” (417).  Mammies are portrayal of Black women television characters who play a motherly role. However, Jezebels are Black women television characters displayed as highly sexual beings, physically attractive, and sexually confident. It seems that reality television favors the portrayal of Black women as Jezebels. For example, Black women in the show Bad Girls Club are sexualized through their appearance (short and revealing clothing) and the way they carry themselves (proactively seeking sexual encounters). Then, in reality television Black women are seen as well-educated or lacking education. Bad Girls Club displays Black women as lacking education because the cast members occupation is not mentioned and these women are seen to primarily drink, party, fight, and dress up.