Representations of Stereotypical Images in Popular Culture

Book excerpt: Representations of Stereotypical Images in Popular Culture: A Critical Approach engages students to examine the perpetuation of stereotypical images of marginalized groups found in popular media and to challenge those frameworks that are responsible for the creation and maintenance of these negative images. Focusing on film, television, social media, and lifestyles, the book applies critical theory to explain the impact of capitalism on the construction of images of minorities in popular culture. It examines how the maintenance of these images becomes embedded in our culture and directly impacts our belief systems regarding social expectations of racial, gender, and class groups. The book begins with chapters that define popular culture, introduce critical theory and racialized ideology, and examine the ways race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality are represented. Additional chapters explain how racialized stereotypes are historically rooted in chattel slavery and trace the perpetuation of these images over three major stages of capitalist development. The final three chapters explore the perpetuation of negative images of other subordinated groups, how stereotypes are represented in social media, and the overall impact of the perpetuation of negative images on society. Throughout, reflection questions, chapter vignettes, comprehension questions, and real-world observations enrich the learning experience.