Analysis Of Ghetto Bitches China Divas By Jennifer Pozner

Contrary to popular belief, racism did not die with slavery and sexism did not just dissipate when women gained the right to vote in America. It may not be as blatant, but these concepts continue to exist and thrive in our society. Rather than a physical and visible effect on the oppressed, they have more of a subtle, internalized nature. The media is one of the most popular ways in which these ideas fester and instill themselves into the minds of many. They portray a caricature-like depiction of race that perpetuates the stereotypes and attitudes that help make up these forms of discrimination. In her essay, “Ghetto Bitches, China Dolls, and Cha Cha Divas,” Jennifer Pozner focuses on the effects reality television, namely America’s Next Top Model, has on people of color. Pozner touches on important points such as the way in which these representations affect body image and how heavy editing of footage can twist the viewer’s perception and blur the lines of “reality.” The media has a heavy influence on those who view it and in this day and age, it’s almost impossible to escape. However, its depiction of race is harmful and promotes certain ideas that uphold types of discrimination that distort the perception of reality in nearly everyone who consumes it. The media is …show more content…
Pozner does this to really drive home to fact that these women are constantly being portrayed in such a manner due to their race rather than their actual personalities. Constantly throughout television, people of colour are pigeonholed into certain categories, such as those in the title, through heavy editing and scripting. This reinforces negative stereotypes of these women of colour and in turn feeds into the racism that they suffer