Representation and Social Change in Film

📋 Course Outline

1. Historical stereotypes and underrepresentation
2. Michelle Yeoh and racial hierarchy
3. Film as a tool for social change
4. Black Panther and cultural shift
5. Tokenism versus meaningful representation
6. Diversity and box office backlash

📖 1. Historical stereotypes and underrepresentation

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Inferior minority portrayal : Inferior minority portrayal : a film practice where minorities are depicted as lesser to make white lead characters stand out.
• Stereotype through historical enemies : Stereotype through historical enemies : using real wartime or historical events to frame targeted groups as enemies and reinforce racial stereotypes.
• Racial underrepresentation : Racial underrepresentation : the structural lack of roles for minorities compared with white actors in film casting.

📝 Essential Points

• Historically, minorities were often shown as inferior to foreground white protagonists.
• Black people were frequently limited to roles such as maids or slaves in Hollywood portrayals.
• Racial stereotypes were intensified during major events, including stereotypes against Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War and Japanese people after Pearl Harbor.

💡 Memory Hook

Stereotypes used as “contrast”: minorities look “less” so white leads look “more.”

📖 2. Michelle Yeoh and racial hierarchy

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions