2. SOAP OPERA, REPRESENTATION AND THEMATISATION
2.9 Depictions of racial stereotypes in soap operas
Dow (2006) explicates that the representation of Black characters in soap operas regulate how other races view them based on constructed images. Television makes audiences
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to conceive, alter and support their beliefs and opinions about Blacks (Charmaraman, 2010).
2.9.1 Racial stereotypes and characters of colour
A research study conducted in the United States of America has proved that student perceptions about Blacks and Whites are formed and maintained by their interests on media messages in soap operas as they watch them in groups (Dixon & Williams, 2015).
Prince (2018) affirm that the depictions on television have an effect on audiences and these perceptions ultimately turn into believed notions. According to Edwards (2019), negative depictions of the Black race endorse unfavourable beliefs and mind-set that relate to criminality and no work ethic. Meanwhile, constructive views relating to intelligence, socioeconomic status and values can be in the minds of the audience as they watch positive depictions about the White race (Mastro & Kopacz, 2006).
Furthermore, Dow (2006) explains that, through the process of programme packaging and portrayals of Black characters’ images in a particular way, producers wish to reach and maintain a larger viewership. Conversely, these images and scenes can in turn distort or under-represent how Black societies view themselves and their capabilities. Hence, the researcher has taken interest in the depictions of racial characterisation in the South African soap opera, Skeem Saam.
Racial identifiers were used to distinguish the Black and the White race. The Black race was identified through bad behaviour based on their skin and historical presumed differences. During the apartheid era in South Africa, the Black race was identified through a propaganda mantra called ‘swart gevaar’ which implied that Blacks are dangerous and are a threat to social order and peace. This was an insult to the Black race, considering that Whites were not racially marked (Langa, Kirsten, Bowman & Eagle, 2018). To some extent, it is argued that primetime media programmes support racist ideologies. According to Van Dijk (2010), racism is concerned with political, social or economic domination that functions as a structural system. Racism in media is the reproduction of historical and existing ethnic domination over other ethnicities through maintenance of negative racial hegemony.
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The separation and the identification of the Black race are based on the relationship between ideology that shapes media content and the structure and ownership of the media. The evidence suggests that the owners and/or funders of production conglomerates are Whites who then influence a negative depiction of Black people through shallow characters types (Zellers, 2006). Ultimately, the content of media is injected with racist ideologies and stereotypes that have been historically constructed.
Some of the evident racial stereotypes are that Blacks are criminals which is supported by the depiction that it is normal for the Black race to commit crime and have a rape culture, that illustrates how brutal and inhuman they are towards their people of colour and other races (Burr, 2001). Further, soap operas will usually depict Black characters committing crime in fictional White areas where ‘innocent Whites’ live in peace. This depiction then makes crime committed by Whites questionable and requiring an explanation because it is not like them to be perpetrators (Media Awareness Network, 2010).
2.9.2 Negative stereotypical portrayal of Blacks
The most stereotypic depiction is that Blacks are stupid and irrational. This is depicted through Black characters with comical roles which make them act brainless. The counter- stereotypes to this are that White people are victims of Black people’s wrong doings, they are intelligent, problem solvers, kind and superior (Francois, 2013). This suggests that Blacks lower standards in society due to their social, mental and emotional intelligence.
Thirdly, Blacks are primitive. This implies that the Black race does not support transformation and modernity as they do not contribute to civilisation. The assumed primitive nature is supported by myths that Blacks are barbaric, lazy and act on instinct.
Thus, it is believed that Blacks need Whites to socially and economically progress as they have African childish mentalities (Weaver, 2016). Blacks are incapable of legally running anything by themselves without the supervision and assistance of Whites, this speaks to the government departments that fall part under the leadership of Black corrupt leaders which breakdown social peace (Goto & Ogunnubi, 2014). These are some of the apparent racial stereotypes that soap operas portray.
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The portrayal of minorities shapes the viewers’ attitude and understanding about the ethnic minorities such as Latinos in real life, this includes both positive and negative perceptions and stereotypes. The depiction of negative racial stereotypes images has been prevalent throughout the decades around the world about minority and majority ethnicities (Berg, 2002). In the same way, Black South African characters are stereotypically represented on the national broadcasting platforms that millions of citizens watch across the country. South African programmes continue to dastardly depict the Black race through lenses of crime and inadequate actions despite the efforts of Black people to empower themselves through education and make an honest living (Durden &
Govender, 2012).