When these adjectives are utilized to describe groups of people, they may create or establish stereotypes. A stereotype is defined as, “a relatively fixed and oversimplified generalization about a group or class of people, usually focusing on negative, unfavorable characteristics” (Colman). Stereotypes involving gender and various ethnicities are utilized and reinforced through the powerful mediums of film and television, which significantly influences popular culture by altering the beliefs and attitudes
faces stereotyping in the media. One common stereotype is the Christian extremist. This is the Christian that holds a strong religious stance and will go over the top in order to preserve these beliefs. This can be evident in The Shawshank Redemption. In this television series, a prisoner is depicted as the Christian extremist that likes to hand out Bibles and recite verses to his fellow inmates. Entertainment industries portray these types of stereotypes because they amuse viewers and generate higher
individuals. The media construct the perception of the world in which individuals live. Unfortunately, when media representations omit or distort certain kind of groups it emphasizes even more all kind of stereotypes. How African, Hispanic, Arabs and Asian are portrayed in these mediums often stereotypes and reinforces negative images of each ethnic group. And the lack of diversity in the media has impacts on how stories are covered and limits opportunities for ethnic minorities in these professions