The media & role in society Essay Example for Free

The media role in society EssayThe media plays a crucial role in society. It is prudent for developing viewpoints through the images it represents. People form opinions through what the media provides. However, more often than non, the media is also responsible for presenting inaccurate and biased images which greatly influence the perception of people. Naturally, the wrong bod of representation sends the wrong kind of message. The 2004 pic Crash is a good example of how the media promotes unsportsmanlike judgment, as its story increased the stereotyping of African-Americans through the oppose depiction of angiotensin converting enzyme of its black characters. The cinema Crash is not a typical train with one story told in a linear fashion. Instead, it presents multiple vignettes woven in a clear of a single narrative. In essence, the movie is about the different lives of people living in Los Angeles. It features the bearing of a police detective and his lover part ner, 2 car thieves, a locksmith, a store holder, a TV director and his wife, the district attorney and his wife, and 2 police officers. While the stories of the characters are introduced to each some others lives through car crashes, these are more importantly connected by one amour racial discrimination.The issue of race sits at the core of the story, as the film exhibits the conflict created by the miscellaneous races of people residing in Los Angeles. All races are represented in the movie African-American, Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic. These races collide in the story and the end result reveals the prejudices they piddle against each other. The story of each character ends differently small-arm some change for the better, some remain the same. Hence, Crash can be considered as the film which explores racial discrimination and its consequences through the point of view of diverse personalities.Upon watching the movie, Director Paul Haggis seems to convey both messages th rough his masterpiece. He intended the audience to recognize two realities that are often overlooked. First, he cherished to show that everyone is red-handed of racial discrimination. Regardless of which race a person belongs to, this person may have judged another based on their race. The traditional notion is that only white people are conscience-smitten of having prejudice towards African-Americans and other races. However, the movie showed that those who are often victims of racial discrimination are also guilty of participating in it.The second reality that Haggis intended to show through his film is the interconnectedness of people. No matter how different people are, they are all linked in the society they live in. He showed that actions of one individual affect the actions of another, which explains the gravity of the consequences of racial discrimination in society. Thus, the intention of the filmmaker was to sluttish the eyes of the audience about two realities. Crash can be considered as a queer piece of cinema, but it does have its flaws. It is an award-winning film with a socially relevant story to convey.Nevertheless, condescension the films noble intention to preach against racial discrimination, it is guilty of giving a negative depiction of African-Americans, special(prenominal)ally the character of Anthony. Anthony, who was played by rapper Chris Ludacris Bridges, is a young African-American human beings who is a thief by profession. With his friend pricking Waters (portrayed in the film by instrumentalist Larenz Tate), Anthony steals vehicles to be sold to a chop shop. In fact, the first time they appear in the movie is when they steal the Lincoln Navigator which the Rick and Jean Cabot (Brendan Fraser and Sandra Bullock) own.However, it is not only the act of stealth that gives Anthonys character its negative characterization. It was the discrepancy between his attitude and actions that set him in a negative light. Anthony is v isualised as an African-American fighting against the racial discrimination of his race. When Anthony first appears on screen, he was ranting to Peter about the unequal treatment he received from the African-American waitress. He complains that he was not served at the same speed as white customers, despite the fact that the waitress was of the same color as he.At this point, the audience recognizes Anthonys awareness of the racial discrimination African-Americans suffer in society, sometimes sluice from people of the same racial background. Then, Anthony reveals his hatred of white people when Rick and Jean Cabot walk towards their boot he becomes enraged when the Jean clings closer to her husband when she sees Anthony and Peter. Eventually, both men force the white duo out of their vehicle and steal their vehicle. Throughout the story, Anthony continues to react against the discrimination of blacks in society.He says that he would not hurt his fellow African-Americans, though b y the latter part of the story he broke this promise. The depiction of Anthonys character is negative because it shows the audience the contradictory nature of African-Americans. Anthony is a character who strongly opposes the unfair treatment against his race. Initially, such fervent opposition may seem as a good thing. However, his own actions encourage others to classify about him. While he hates the way white people discriminate against African-Americans, he gives these people enough reason to unfairly judge his race.The fear of white people towards blacks originates from the crimes or culpable activities that African-Americans are associated with. Instead of doing good things and proving society wrong about black people, he steals cars and justifies the fear. At one point, he even robbed an African-American man (Cameron Thayer as played by Terrence Howard). In addition, his actions also ricochet his discrimination of others. He has extreme hatred of white people. Just as the white people discriminate against them, he also discriminates against them.He is also guilty of racial discrimination towards Asians he ran over an Asian man he called Chinaman. Hence, the character of Anthony was envisioned in a negative light as an African-American man who does not like to be discriminated but participates in the discrimination of others. The character of Anthony is also depicted negatively because it follows the emboss of African-Americans in media. The media has often portrayed African-Americans as involved in criminal or illegal activities. The portrayal of Anthony is no exception.He was a young black man who lived on stealing other peoples vehicles. A stereotype is a representation of those who belong to a specific group which upholds common belief or unjustified bias. The stereotype of African-Americans in the media paints an unpleasant picture of a race, as it presents them as citizens who disrespect the law. Due to Anthonys depiction in the film Crash, this stereotype remains. Again, African-Americans are categorized as those that are not capable of living without breaking the laws. In real life, this is not the case.While thither are black people who are involved in criminal activities, there are also African-Americans who live honest lives and earn money through hard work. Because of the stereotype that is employ in the movie, the behavior of those who abide by the laws are discredited while the behavior of those who break the laws dwarf them. The negativity of a portrayal or depiction is based on the unpleasant or unfair presentation of a character. For instance, Anthony is negatively depicted because the movie upheld the stereotype of black people being criminals.The universe of such stereotype is obviously pleasant and remarkably unfair. As was earlier established, not everyone from the African-American alliance is involved in illegal activities. Because Anthony was portrayed as a car thief in the movie, the ordinary per ception of people that blacks are criminals still remain. Through Anthonys negative portrayal, the movie contributed to the existent stereotype of African-American people. Crash by Paul Haggis is a movie which explores racial discrimination in Los Angeles. It highlights the existing tension between different cultures and races.While it is a distinctly fine film, it contributed to the stereotyping of African-Americans through the negative portrayal of the character of Anthony. By presenting a black man as a criminal who also discriminates against others, the movie helped little in improving the general perception of black people in society. Instead, it furthers the publics unfavorable opinion about people of color. Therefore, the story of the movie Crash increased the stereotyping of a group. pen Reimer, R. , Korbelin, J. , Grasic, M. (Producers) Haggis, P. (Director). (2004). Crash Motion picture. United States Lionsgate.