Negative Representation
The video for Iggy Azalea's single 'Bounce' represents the Indian culture in a negative way as it predominantly shows the slums of India, mainly showcasing poverty. It suggests that India is a poor country and perhaps the children are running wild, resulting in adding to the 'mess'. This seen when Iggy is rapping outside the market and the children begin to throw the powder paint around and at the camera. It could have the connotations that there is no order in India and that everyone is running with no order, the video has also been under criticism to be exploiting Indian culture in which Iggy has defended and referred it as 'celebrating the culture'. She is seen to be dancing in traditional Indian clothing, interestingly the main dancers are women dancing for men, which could have the suggestion that women are below men.
Positive Representation
The video for Waka Waka (Time For Africa) represents all world cultures in a positive way, more specifically the African culture. The African culture is represented extremely positively as it is celebrated for it's beauty - the African theme deriving from the World Cup in 2010. Shakira is a bilingual artist and a positive role model to people as she is proud of her culture and past. The lyrics read 'We're all Africa' which creates the idea of unity, which is complemented by the different countries stood with Shakira holding traditional items, eg. The Chinese dragon. The song and video create the impression that the world is equal and everyone should come together and celebrate their heritage - the African theme could also symbolise one idea that everyone originated from Africa.
Film
Negative Representation
A Haunted House is a 2013 parody film created by and also starring Marlon Wayans. The film is a negative representation of the African American heritage as a vast majority of the characters are involved in a gang, and also play up to the 'ghetto' stereotype. However generally, the film represents black and white people negatively as both ethnicities are made out to be stupid and naive. Generally the film does target black people more negatively as it brings up gang related stereotypes, but also plays up to stereotypical African American names, to again add humour by exaggerating stereotypes.
Positive Representation
The Help is an 2011 American drama film adapted from the novel by Kathryn Stockett, it depicts civil rights in early 1960's America. The film is an incredibly positive representation for African American women as all of the women are seen to be caring and loving, despite their treatment. The positive representation also stems from the victimisation of the black women, seen specifically when Yule Mae is arrested for being framed, showing inferiority. Certain white characters in the film are represented extremely negatively, for example the incredibly racist Hilly Holbrook - who is seen as the antagonist for her racism and champions segregation. However other white characters are represented positively, like Skeeter Pheelan who tells the story of the racism in Mississippi who fights for change. Celia & Jonnie Foote also are represented incredibly positively as they do not follow the racism and value their maid as a person as opposed to a job - seen in the scene where they throw Minnie their maid a feast for there gratitude, but also seen in Celia's ignorance to segregation.
TV Soaps
Negative Representation
The Only Way Essex is a semi scripted reality show following the lives of a group of friends from Essex as they manage to balance careers, socialising and drama. The show represents Essex in a negative way as a lot of the cast are considered to be obnoxiously stupid and unintelligent. The show glamorises the stereotype that Essex people are all stupid and produces celebrities like Joey Essex and Amy Childs who although capitalise on being stupid, both stars have being incredibly successful since being on the show. However generally, the show has given Essex a bad name as the cast play up to the stupid persona and have full blown arguments/physical fights in order to get ratings - this working as it is on its 11th season.
Positive Representation
'Eastenders' is a soap opera based upon the lives are a diverse group of people living in the infamous Albert Square in London. The show is a positive representation of different ethnicities as it celebrates their cultures and portrays a multicultural society. Seen specifically in the episode where muslim 'couple' Syed and Amira marry and the whole Square attends and the religion is greatly celebrated - seen as the family proudly show their religion whilst parading round the Square. Albert Square has also had a range of different religions and enthnicites during its 29 year broadcast, each with a different backstory, but all of their heritages celebrated and accepted by the other civilians of Albert Square - suggesting that more people need to be open minded about other cultures.
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