Changes in the mass media production has been a huge factor in reshaping the public’s perceptions towards African Americans. In the article, “Hegemony in Black and White: Interracial Buddy Films and the New Racism” Artz states, such public perceptions have been reinforced, if not developed, by mass media images of real and fictional successful African Americans.1 There has been a “new” racism embodied in the mass media culture that cotes over the actual realities of cultural differences. This “new” racism was incorporated in the movie Get Hard directed by Etan Cohen. The two main characters of the movie, James King portrayed by Will Ferrell and Darnell Lewis portrayed by Kevin Hart were characterized as racial stereotypes but not so much where
…show more content…
The emergent Black middle class and the recognizable additions of Black representatives to government bodies are accented in a corporate-run mass culture, while the conditions of life for poor and working-class Blacks are discounted or avoided.3 Despite the fact that Darnell was not shown as rich as James, he was also not shown as extremely poor or lower-class. He was presented on screen with a decent job, a house, and an average lifestyle without having to have ends meet for survival. The movie simply coats over the reality of differences between the two cultures by showing viewers what they wish to see. Pleasing to Blacks and comforting to Whites, the fictions of interracial buddy movies simplify race relations, reassuring America of it continuing goodness. Viewed by millions of Americans, cultural vehicles such as interracial buddy movies help negotiate popular consent for the “new” racism – touting equality while ignoring the actual conditions of race …show more content…
The comedic relationship between James and Darnell disguises the actual social relations and differences between the two cultures. It constructs a fantasy world for the viewers.9 However, the movie did follow all the steps you need to in order to attract as many viewers as possible. They made it possible by presenting Darnell as the one with more control in the relationship along with making James an agreeable
The emergent Black middle class and the recognizable additions of Black representatives to government bodies are accented in a corporate-run mass culture, while the conditions of life for poor and working-class Blacks are discounted or avoided.3 Despite the fact that Darnell was not shown as rich as James, he was also not shown as extremely poor or lower-class. He was presented on screen with a decent job, a house, and an average lifestyle without having to have ends meet for survival. The movie simply coats over the reality of differences between the two cultures by showing viewers what they wish to see. Pleasing to Blacks and comforting to Whites, the fictions of interracial buddy movies simplify race relations, reassuring America of it continuing goodness. Viewed by millions of Americans, cultural vehicles such as interracial buddy movies help negotiate popular consent for the “new” racism – touting equality while ignoring the actual conditions of race …show more content…
The comedic relationship between James and Darnell disguises the actual social relations and differences between the two cultures. It constructs a fantasy world for the viewers.9 However, the movie did follow all the steps you need to in order to attract as many viewers as possible. They made it possible by presenting Darnell as the one with more control in the relationship along with making James an agreeable