Labels Are For Soup Cans

         It seems that stereotypes has been the theme for AP English these past two weeks, ranging from Native Americans to African Americans; indeed, many of my fellow classmates have blogged their insightful opinions about stereotypical ethnic groups. However, although the class has generated thoughtful criticisms against the negative effects of stereotyping, I was never able to truly connect with the discussion, for we only read stories of the misfortunes others faced long ago. It wasn't until the media analysis that I realized just how much stereotypes are integrated in our society through media, slowly dictating us to unconsciously group others by hurtful cliches.

        Although the mass media is able to showcase its opinions to the general public through the senses of sight and hearing, television is the one media that uses both senses to not only brainwashes adults, but also their children. As a child of Canadian and Chinese descent, I loved watching adventurous Chinese cartoons and perky Canadian shows. However, it wasn't until I moved to Troy that I realized children were also exposed to highly influential cartoons such as Family Guy and South Park. Personally, I never enjoyed watching such cartoons for the following reasons:
        
  1) The pictures are rather ugly... Stewie has a lemon for a head, and I'm not quite sure what                happened with Peter's butt chin.

2) Crude, uncomfortable humor to laugh at with friends awkwardly.



Although watching this clip the first time is hilarious, the more I view it, the more I cringe when I hear the heavily-accented, broken English. Stereotypes are so overused in media that we unconsciously accept such degrading humor as valuable giggles worthy of our time; however, in all honesty, what would Americans consider humor to be without cliche stereotypes? Would the whole concept of a "joke" be turned around 180?

         Media stereotypes have impacted this country even to the smallest communities. If we look at any local high school as a microcosm, we will see teens using stereotypical characters as the bar to judge others. I realize now that sarcastic, degrading shows often twist the judgments of such students, to the point that they lose their own opinions and yield to whatever the show feeds them. For example, in Spanish last year, there was a boy who always muttered "dirty gypsies" when referring to Indians under his breath. However, anyone knows that gypsies are in fact not Indian. His rude comments were influenced by the music he listened to, the shows he watched, etc. and encouraged him to view others negatively.

Obviously, the stereotypes at Troy High are unnecessary and degrading, but what happens when we expand to the nation?

On a broader scale, TV cartoons have the ability to generate real-world discrimination.

In 2005, South Park notoriously aired the episode entitled "Ginger Kids" and started a nationwide stereotype of soulless people with red hair and freckles. In 2010, a Facebook group named "National Kick a Ginger Day" (inspired by the South Park episode) was created and as a result, many students were beaten harshly in schools across America. Incidents like these demonstrate that although stereotypical jokes may be considered humorous, all stereotypes have the potential to become more than just a joke through the influence of the media.Television has the ability to affect thousands of people, including children and adults alike, and Facebook has the ability to group together a massive clique to physically beat down and ostracize groups of people based on a stereotype.

From 1933 to 2013--Have we been Kemosabes?

     On July 13, 2013, The Lone Ranger, the newest adaptation of the 1933 radio show, was released to theaters all over America. However, the movie was deemed a "box-office flop", despite a budget of over $225 million. For those unfamiliar with the plot, the Lone Ranger is a masked ranger who, along with his Indian friend Tonto, fights injustice throughout America's Wild West. In the newest adaption, director Gore Verbinski attempts to tell the tale through the eyes of the faithful Tonto, portrayed by Johnny Depp. Although Hollywood believes that the reprise of Tonto is a gesture of respect and honor to Native American culture, Native Americans clearly disagree. Disagreement on the portrayal of Tonto by a non-native Depp has arisen in Native American communities. The creation of Tonto in the 1900s already caused controversy itself-- after all, Tonto is the Spanish or Apache word for "foolish" or "silly" (who wouldn't be offended?!). To viewers across America, the "bromance" between Tonto and the Lone Ranger is one of mutual respect, a symbol of the friendship between two cultures. In addition, Tonto endearingly calls the Lone Ranger "Kemosabe", or "faithful friend". However, to Native Americans, Tonto, albeit the most used and important pop culture character, is a symbol of an offensive stereotypical legacy. In the new adaption, this racist image is once again portrayed with an excessive slathering of black and white paint and a dead vulture headdress.

(Honestly, every time The Lone Ranger trailer came up on TV, I switched the channel--this face is enough to give me nightmares, who wouldn't be offended?)

 

       In 1993, Sherman Alexie published The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, a collection of short stories illustrating the hardships and discrimination Native Americans were subject to. Ironically, at the release of The Lone Ranger, Alexie commented, "In the movies, Indians are always accompanied by ominous music. I always feel that something bad is about to happen. I am always aware of how my whole life is shaped by my hatred of Tonto, Whenever I think of Tonto, I hear ominous music." Despite his efforts 20 years ago, Alexie is still faced with the stereotypes of Native Americans. His books have informed the public of Native American discrimination, but they are not enough to change Hollywood's inaccurate portrayals. Disney's decision to release the movie demonstrates modern America's inability to pay attention to the wishes of minority groups and respect their cultures. For example, Depp states in a Rolling Stone interview, "I wanted to maybe give some hope to kids on the reservations. They're living without running water and seeing problems with drugs and booze. But I wanted to be able to show these kids, 'F--- that! You're still warriors, man' ". (Warriors?!) Such comments are what Alexie has attempted to change in America with his books, but clearly, Hollywood is unaffected and still degrading Native Americans.

 

     After analyzing the title, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, an interpretation can be made about the book. The Lone Ranger represents white culture and the Americans while Tonto represents the repressed Native Americans. Fistfight refers to the conflict that takes place between the two and Heaven is a reference to the end or death of the conflict. Alexie himself stated that "It's always going to be antagonistic relationship between indigenous people and the colonial people." This may be true, for even in 2013, controversy about Tonto still arises amongst Native Americans. Although Alexie is able to educate the public on the unwanted stereotype, it is not enough to override the decades of discrimination. The place to make a change starts in Hollywood, where new movies respecting Native American cultures will provide a better model for the public to follow. 

 

And now, a trailer of a movie I will never watch due to scary faces and ominous music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjFsNSoDZK8

 

Who puts the POW! in power?

              

Unbeknownst to many, Machiavelli's "The Prince" provides the true template for the ambitious goal of unlimited power. Indeed, even I follow his principles, many times manipulating my naive sister through petty threats and thoughtless force. People tend to believe that obtaining power requires the use of intimidation, force and deception. However, through such aggressive means, one may wonder just how much power lies in the greedy hands of those who manipulate. In the "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, although white males abused their power by fettering the rights of African Americans through coercion and terror, Twain demonstrates that the white male's power is not unlimited because he cannot control another's mentality.
              Twain satirizes a world where the white male reigns supreme and holds the power to physically bind other humans.Through the protagonist, Huck Finn, Twain explains that despite the forceful tactics of Southerners, true power lies in those who are able to use it responsibly to benefit the needs of others. For example, the king and the dauphin had full power to turn  Huck and Jim in; however, what they commanded was only the physical states of the runaways. Even if the king and dauphin forced Huck and Jim, they would never be able to dictate their mentalities. Forced power is limited that much-- it can only direct the physical beings of a human, never the character. As a parallel, Huck uses unadulterated power, without sneaky deception and threats. His power as a white male coupled with concern for Jim's well being enables Huck to manipulate his words and place himself and Jim out of numerous dangers. The power that Huck wields does not dictate Jim's physical state; rather, by using minimal power he possesses, Huck is able to expand his own power and open new doors to friendship and respect. He gains the support and trust of Jim, thus bringing his power one step higher than the king and dauphin's. Twain demonstrates through this polarity that an individual can not wield unlimited amounts of power, especially not through force and manipulation. Rather, the power arises from the support of others, together accumulating closer to unlimited power.
             That being said, it seems even the most primitive animals understand the concept that working together creates more power. In Chimpanzee Politics, Frans de Waal outlines the detailed social behavior of chimps and accents the distinct contrast to their evolutionary relatives, humans. Waal acknowledges  that the Machiavellian views of power do not necessarily enable one to become the alpha. For example, the three chimps he observed demonstrated that the social hierarchy is based less on manipulative coercion and more on the power of teamwork and respect. Waal indicates that those chimps that relied solely on domination were unable to climb to the top, and rather, were demoted by subordinates. In reality, power that is obtained through pure force is limited and ultimately leads to failure and those who do so have only the power to command bodies, not hearts. True power lies in the unlimited ability to accumulate bonds and respect from others--those who ascend to the throne do so on the support and love of others.