The case study I found was a very interesting one on how diversity in media, specifically television, affects the viewer and their perception of the world around them. The article specifically mentions the possibilities of homophily and appropriation. It makes these points by referencing many other studies and performing interviews of their own with people of different races and minority groups.
Homophily in television is very common, many television executives set the goal for characters to be relatable for their intended audiences. Since minority audiences have become more important to companies over the years more and more television shows have been produced with them in mind, and the successful ones star characters those groups can relate to. In some of the interviews transcribed towards the end of the article people of color had praise for shows like The Cosby Show and The Bernie Mac Show, which they felt portrayed African Americans well and could relate to the characters. One of the female interviewees also pointed out Sex and the City as a show she could relate to and enjoyed.
As diversity in media continues to progress more homes are exposed to other cultures they did not understand. When portrayed correctly this has great upside, but the article points out that this may lead to appropriation. While it is important for people to understand those who are different from them, exposure to cultures through media alone may lead them to overestimate their knowledge and develop false narratives about people they have never met. Assuming the characters portrayed on television are perfect examples of the real-life races they portray can be very dangerous.
As time has gone on portrayal of minority groups in media has become more accurate, thanks to those groups getting more direct involvement in the industry. Minority characters appearing in earlier forms of media often only lead to reinforcing stereotypes. As minority voices are being listened to more closely those depictions are becoming more realistic. Bernie Mac, in particular, stood out to African Americans as someone who was being very genuine and the portrayal of successful black Americans on The Cosby show made viewers happy.
A recent example of media you could compare to this article is the film Crazy Rich Asians. The film came out this year and was a huge step forward for Asian people in the entertainment industry. While the movie’s script and cinematography may not be anything noteworthy what it represents is huge. The fact that an Asian director was able to make a movie based on a book by an Asian man starring an entirely Asian cast is momentous and represents a huge step forward for diversity in the film industry.
Being the first real American blockbuster featuring an all Asian cast. By going into uncharted territory like this, the team behind this movie roped in their target audience and the film was hugely successful. Thanks to the success of Crazy Rich Asians the film industry may have more faith in Asian talent, but there may also be some cultural backlash. The film does perpetuate some of the stereotypical need for success and intelligence often associated with Asian people.
In conclusion diversity, itself can be great for creating a more equal world, but in the entertainment industry, we have to be careful. Making sure minority voices are being heard and portrayed correctly is essential to avoid catastrophe.