Analysis of Articles about Challenges Faced by People of Mixed Race - Essay Example

Mixed Race Society Guardian is a UK based online Journal which contains on its home page, an article d Absent Voices. Centered closely to the middle of the page is the article That focuses on the challenges faced by people of mixed race. Below the heading and first paragraph is a photo of Laura Smith, a young woman of mixed race(presumably Black and Caucasian). Much of the article contains narrative by the young woman who describes the hardships and struggles she has encountered as a person of mixed race, through various times and stages of her life. She describes the difficulty in identifying with either race and also how government fails to recognize this growing minority of citizens. The text is formatted in a plain font, and a simple color photo (head shot) of Laura is provided. The home page stands out a bit with its use of small but vibrant blocks of color in the left column beside the article. The small blocks of color draw attention to the page without overwhelming the reader. The article uses very personal experiences of Smith to humanize the subject matter and make it a bit more real. Not only do Laura’s experiences explain more vividly the challenges that those of mixed race face, they also relate to a variety of audiences on a personal level. Most of us have been taunted, jeered at, or have been called some sort of derogatory name during our childhood. Though we may not have experienced the same level of emotional Hurt that Laura has, we can with certainty relate to the emotions that are felt with such occurrences. Smith’s experiences are discussed prior to the presentation of fact and figures that state how many citizens of mixed race reside in Britain according to the last national Census., Smith believes that those of mixed race are portrayed and used in the media to represent the black population, yet in a way that seems watered down or “exotic”(Smith, 1). Laura Smith sees this as an appeal to both white and black races without offending either one. Mixed Race 2 Smith’s argument that portraying those of mixed race in media is a ‘whitewashed version’ of how the UK population recognizes those of color may be very valid. As the growth of population is decreasing, due to women and men focusing more on careers and other pursuits, there is legitimate fear that jobs will go unfilled and there won’t be enough citizens to support the current social programs such as those that support the elderly. The increasing plea through media, for young adults in the UK to reproduce more children is viewed by Jessica Brown as a means for controlling the population of minority ethnic groups and encouraging more whites to increase their population. Articles such as the one titled “Breed or die out,” featured in the New York Times in 2001, seems to play on the emotion of fear. Another article in the January 3 Daily Mail titled “Why Are We Too Selfish to Have Children?” accuses young adults of wanting too much for themselves, playing on feelings of guilt to induce a larger white population. Brown’s examples of media which are known to be Conservative shows the lengths in which they will go to preserve the status quo. Brown points out that such media will resort to bullying and bribing, to solve the decline in birth rate issue, rather than address other solutions, such as immigration. The examples above are articles included in a survey of 199, conducted by Brown, that relate to declining birth rate. Brown states that of those 199, only 58 articles “take the stance that increases in immigration are a positive or inevitable solution to the drop in white native-born population.” While 7 Percent of the articles indicate that immigration is detrimental to the UK population, 109 articles make no mention of immigration as a solution at all. The articles, overall project an underlying fear that the white race will die out or somehow be jeopardized by allowing those of other races to interact, marry and have Mixed Race 3 children in the UK. In fact, one article in the Times on June 22, 2000 states that “Mass immigration as a demographic and economic solution is a simple minded, short term evasion. It ignores demographic realities and would transform rapidly the receiving countries into radically different kinds of society.” Smith’s view of fear among the white population, that those of color will become a majority are evident. The inference is that using those of mixed race in media is indeed a way to appease those who fear a declining white population. John Gabriel argues that “mainstream media supports whiteness by producing and circulating selective versions of national culture.”(p. 12). Use of those with mixed race in media then becomes a view of how the white population chooses to view those of color, rather than a view of acceptance. Gabriel analyzes the flow of what he calls “cross fertilization”(p. 13) which is the result of mixed race relationships. What he has found is that legislation in the UK and U.S. that focus on terrorism and immigration create barriers for those of color. He suggests that these are “strategic uses of power that confine others to the borders”(p.12) Gabriel further explains that ‘whiteness’ is a term to define behavior and culture more than to define race. In this context, he views actions that limit opportunity for those of other races as a behavior of ‘whiteness.’ Using Gabriel’s views, it can be inferred that those of mixed race are portrayed in media as possessing a larger degree of ‘whiteness.’ In the past, use of Blacks in advertising has been stereotypical and at times downright racist. In BBC News a video clip containing photos of black representation in advertising shows the changes as acceptance has grown over time. An older ad for Pears soap depicts a white child looking on as a black child bathes with the product. The ‘before’ picture shows an all Black child, while the ‘after’ picture shows a black child with a white body, claiming that the soap will turn even the blackest child white. The obviously racist photo reinforces Mixed Race 4 a view that Blacks are not clean. The depicting of mixed race citizens in media might also be a attempt to provide a ‘cleaner,’ and therefore more acceptable form of black. More recently, however, and ad for Diesel jeans depicts black female models in the forefront of a social gathering, representing a much more positive role. The final picture contains a black man who is knowledgeable and successful in sales of financial products and services. This image shows how much progress is made in portraying a Black man who is successful and deserves recognition. Perhaps the latter is an attempt to portray blacks as assimilating into white culture. It might also be a way of saying “we don’t want you in our society unless you can be as productive as this black man.” In an article in BBC News, Cindi John states that “black women often marry men of other races due to lack of similar economic status.” Depending on a person’s culture and ethnicity, the ad can be viewed from many different perspectives. a black female might ask “why are there not more successful black men for me to choose from?” A white male might think “look at that black man taking a job away from a perfectly capable white man.” Whether it provokes positive positive or negative emotion depends on the reader of the ad. John’s assertion of black female preferences would indicate there is a failure to address the average black male in media. Again, this reinforces the idea that Laura Smith believes those of mixed race are used in media to represent a ‘white’ view of blacks. The use of mixed race individuals in media, in this context undermines the importance of cultural and identity challenges that those of mixed race must face. Smith’s assertion that those of mixed race often have difficulty in trying to fit in, or identify with a particular group are not what white readers are likely to think about. The census finally offered ‘mixed’ as a racial group in 2001. While this is a positive step, it does not tackle the issue of identity. Mixed Race 5 Cindi John cites an example of Asian author, Yasmin Alibhai Brown, who shares findings from her book Mixed Feelings. Brown identifies her concern that public institutions in Britain “had adopted policies from the U.S. that claim all mixed children as black.” Brown believes this forces those of mixed race to identify with one culture and disregard the other. It also indicates lack of political and institutional acknowledgement surrounding those of mixed race. As half the mixed population are children under age 16, this can be especially detrimental to social welfare and other government policies focus on each individual race or ethnic group. Though changes have occurred in the population of mixed children, Smith states that lack of racial identification, especially among government agencies can cause not only loss of a sense of belonging, but also necessary health care and screening services that are generally aimed at Black and Asian citizens There are other motivations for portrayal of mixed race people in media. William Lee Adams writes in Psychology Today about society’s views toward Eurasians, or those of European and Asian ancestry. He suggests that new statistics reveal both whites and Asians prefer those of mixed race and consider them more glamorous and ‘exotic’. Adams further explains that with media exposure comes more desire for those who many view as healthier. The idea is that health is defined by symmetry in facial features and also by beauty. Another factor that defines health is lessening the likelihood of genetic disorders that are associated with one particular race. Adams points out something that, while it may be true, may not apply to those of mixed white and black heritage in the same manner. Asian countries have a long history of trade globally, providing much desired technology that the white population desires. This can be, at least in part, a great motivator toward acceptance into one’s own population. While exotic as a watered down version of one race is less desirable, it can also lead to Mixed Race 6 curiosity, awareness and finally acceptance. In her article in BBC news, Cindi John states that there is a public fascination of mixed race relationships. She explains that this is caused by the “implicit assumption in British Society that you marry somebody of the same color as yourself.” Whatever the source of the fascination, it ultimately leads to a greater awareness. This is a positive step in the right direction in a nation where “by 1997 half of black men and a third of black women in relationships had a white partner,” says John. In the article, a photo of two familiar comedians Lenny Henry and Dawn French are reported to be one couple among many in the UK entertainment industry who are or have been in mixed couple relationships. Intermix is a UK based organization where people of mixed race can turn for support regarding the many issues and concerns they face. The organization also claims to be a learning organization that does not have answers to all questions, but rather is willing to grow and provide more assistance as it becomes available. It also provides an Icons page which features photos of entertainers, religious leaders and athletes of mixed race who are well-known in the UK. The University of Kent has been granted substantial funds and will conduct research among college students of mixed race. What they intend to obtain is information about how individuals develop their identities and how choices are made about identity. This is significant as young adults in the UK will interact with many more of mixed race in the near future. Smith’s childhood experiences with teasing and lack of identity clearly show that efforts are necessary to help alleviate such obstacles for mixed race children in the current and upcoming populations. There are those who believe immigration has harmed British society, though no detail of how that occurs is offered. With no explanations of specific harm offered it is likely lack of familiarity or comfort with the situation. By humanizing her story Mixed Race 7 in a manner that summons emotions related to hurt and confusion, her story invites genuine concern that political leaders and government agencies must address without attempting to change the inevitable, which is an increase in many citizens of mixed race in UK society. References Adams, W. (2005). Mixed Race Pretty Face? Psychology Today, 1-2. Brown, J. (2003). IN PRAISE OF GOOD BREEDING: Pro-Natalism and Race in the British Print Media. Journal of Women’s History. Baltimore, 15(3), p. 161. Brown, Y. (2001). Mixed Feelings: The Complex Lives of Mixed Race Britons. London, Womens Press Cottle, S. (2000). Ethnic Minorities and the Media: Changing Cultural Boundaries. Buckingham, Open University Press. Gabriel, J. (1998). Whitewash :Racialized Politics and the Media. New York & London, Routledge, pp 12-15, 219. Intermix home page, Retrieved on November 9, 2006 from http:// www.intermix.org.uk/abt/ aims.asp John, C (2002) Changing Face of Britain. BBC News Smith, L (2006) Absent Voices, Society Guardian. Read More