Has “Family Guy” always been a show for all people to watch?
Or for one race to laugh, while others feel discriminated against? Featured
below are three clips from the television show “Family Guy” which portrays various
accounts of racial stereotypes: the Asian families son, the minority suspect,
and the Mexican immigrant. “Family Guy” periodically presents racial remarks
but these are three major examples.
In the first clip, Chris Griffin (white son) references that
his family (a white family) is “tighter than an Asian family”. The video makes
assumptions about both Asian people and their families, both assumed to be
smart and demanding. The clip then proceeds to an Asian father disrupting his
twelve-year-old son to ask him if he has become a doctor yet and to not speak
to him until he is one. The clip diminishes Asian families, by inferring that
they are detached and demanding. The clip also speculates that all Asians will
become doctors. Although “Family Guy” is a satirical television series and
meant to be a joke, the stereotype of Asian families not being close creates a dis-favorable
view towards their race. In addition to the stereotype that all Asians are
doctors develop a preconceived idea that if an Asian is not a doctor then maybe
they are not smart.
The second clip creates the stereotype that all black males
are dangerous in the eyes of the law. Peter Griffin (White) steps into the
police arrest machine and is cuffed, then Cleveland (African American) steps
into the machine. The machine starts to go crazy beating him with a baton and
placing a gun next to him as if it were his. The machine distinguishes white
from black males, assuming that black males are all inherently bad and
dangerous. Which is not true at all. The machine signifies the racial prejudice
black males deal with on a regular basis.
The final clip generates the stereotype about
where all Hispanics come from and what they can achieve. The Mexican tries to
maneuver around the small fence, which signifies the border between the United
States and Mexico. As he tries to gain entry into America, the white male holds
him off with a gun. Although there has been an illegal immigrant problem within
the U.S. that does not mean all Hispanics have entered illegally. The Mexican
then pleas with the white male by asking if he needs help building more of the
fence. Not only does this highlight the stereotype that all Hispanics are
immigrants but it also dwindles all Hispanics ability to be successful
“Family Guy” is a comedy but has been notorious for being
blatantly open about racial stereotypes. Although the writers and producers
feel it is “just a joke”, at what point do different races feel that they are being
discriminated against? Having watched “Family Guy” for years I have always
found the show funny and never taken it serious. But as a white male in America maybe I am
missing the bigger picture. There is still racism in our culture unfortunately
and the stereotypes presented in the show like African Americans being
dangerous or Hispanics being illegal are the reason why. Maybe some people may
feel we are passed all racism and it is okay to joke about but it still has an
impact on people today. Shows such as “Family Guy” cause prejudice and hate
because they give people these preconceived notions and therefore cause
problems within our culture.
Finally, to answer the question whether “family Guy” is a
show for all races or just for one I would say just one because there is only
one race that does not receive the amount of racist remarks as the rest. That
one race is white America. Yes, white America.
Although “Family Guy” criticizes white America in the show (probably the
most considering Peter represents the stupidity and negligent aspects of white
Americans) there is still the problem that these stereotypes are often accepted
and advertised in real-life. These racial stereotypes develop prejudice and
hate within American culture. So does one race laugh at the show while others
feel the discrimination? Yes “Family Guy” was made all for one and not for all.
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTT2fNyKgUE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_pfzYD1dXY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBzW5XYXAds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTT2fNyKgUE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_pfzYD1dXY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBzW5XYXAds
I actually watch family guy and find it sort of funny, but i have never really thought about how the way the show goes about trying to be satirical in regards to other races could be considered offensive. Your topic is great and it actually makes you rethink the way you would think about certain thins and question the way things are said and handled during everyday life. Also remember that African Americans are not the only race to be considered the minority, it is just the one that people think of first when the hear the word. I liked the examples you used. They really do highlight the major stereotypes that appear on multiple occasions throughout the show.
ReplyDeleteGreat article. I have watched a good amount of Family Guy and agree with every statement you make. One thing that needs to be understood about the show is how unbelievably ignorant it is. After the end of every scene I find myself questioning how someone could possibly imagine whatever I just witnessed. That being said, there is a definitive line that should never be crossed, and Family Guy has crossed it on multiple occasions. Your examples are key elements of discrimination that somehow find their way into that show more often than they should.
ReplyDeleteI thought you did a nice job with your blog. I don't watch family guy because I think its deal with some touchy issues in what try to be a funny way, which is okay but I like how you pointed out ways that the show does. Your media sources were a good add in, it helped me better understand what you were talking about. The examples you used were very good, and helped really explain to the audience your point you were trying to get across.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your blog post. The one thing about Family Guy is that they are known doing things within their show that they can often times get away with. Although the writing in their show isn't always as acceptable by the general public most people are expecting this kind of writing from this T.V. show. I liked how you added the three video clips within your blog. This helped me gain a better understanding of your argument, and I could understand why this show is very controversial in many ways.
ReplyDeleteI thought your argument was solid throughout your blog. I for one have watched my fair share of Family Guy on Netflix and always catch these references in almost every episode. Although it does have some really segments, most of the subjects that they try to cover seem to be so repetitive. In most of the scenes where a black male is present, they are constantly bombarded with racial stereotypes whether it be by the atmosphere of events and characters around them or through their own characters make-up. Family Guy does try to incorporate humor into these stereotypical views but in the end, I agree with what Pat said about Family Guy crossing these very thin lines of these segments being at an inappropriate amount.
ReplyDeleteI will agree that this show typically gets away with what they write and have on T.V. This show is clearly one of the most controversial on television, but I think it has a similar viewing to Saturday Night Live. They make fun of things that may affect people and their views, but overall they can get away with it due to the comedy, and having enough people watching the show.
ReplyDeleteYou make a very good point. I used to be a very avid Family Guy watcher, I watch it sometimes today as well. I always laughed at jokes like those but never really thought about just how offensive some of those jokes were. While they are funny, they portray minorities in a very negative way. Family Guy likes to heavily play off stereotypes, and while you think the jokes are funny because they're true, they're actually pretty offensive. I had never really thought of that. Good article.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you have said. The example videos were strong examples. Family Guy has crossed the line multiple times while it has been on the air. It is certainly made for one race, and the stereotypes they use go too far in my opinion. They have done nothing but discriminate against other races, even religions, and I don't know if it can be considered strong satire. But they get away with it because it is expected for this type of show.
ReplyDeleteYou argument is very strong. I agree that family guy is meant for one race. I thought it was interesting that you said you have watched it for years yet you had not noticed the damaging stereotypes.This grabbed my attention because I am in the same boat. I've watched Family Guy for years and not once have I thought about the damage it may cause. When watching those clips with my new view I was disgusted. I guess I am going to have to find a new show.
ReplyDeletei like this post a lot. the videos show really great examples of what your saying and you have a great point. we don't realize how degrading these jokes can be to other peoples culture sometimes and maybe it is time to wake up and not support the racial bashing of other cultures
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with you and all your points about Family Guy as a TV Show. You provided really great examples to back up all of your points and I agree, I think Family Guy was made for one, not for all. It was created to poke fun about racism and that it is mainly for the white Americans to watch. That's at least who their target audience is. I think that is wrong and while it may be funny to some, others still get hurt by their fun.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your view on the show Family Guy and the points you've made. I liked how you posted videos to show exactly what you were talking about so there was no confusion or anything, it also made it more interesting for me. I think it is clear the show is mainly focussing on a white audience, making fun of any one that isn't that. It's sad that people think it is okay to make fun of some one or something different just for a few laughs.
ReplyDelete