Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class

Tags: class, gender, media, race/ethnicity, sex/sexuality, class consciousness, meritocracy, representation, stereotypes, subtitles/CC, 61+ mins
Year: 2005
Length: 62:00
Access: YouTube (preview; part 1; part 2; part 3; part 4; part 5; part 6; part 7; part 8)

Summary: This documentary provides a great historical and contemporary analysis of the presentation of various marginalized groups on television. The film demonstrates how members of the working class are often depicted negatively in the media in the service of preventing the development of a class consciousness. Negative media depictions of African Americans, gay men and women are also explored. The film is great for stimulating conversation about stereotypes perpetuated by prime time television. Questions that follow from viewing the film include: is it the media's responsibility to depict the world as it really is or is it simply entertainment? Do people recognize that the images on television are unrealistic stereotypes or do they believe there is some truth to these depictions? What is the function of the "American Dream" in our culture, and does this ideal do more harm than good?

Submitted By: Michelle Smirnova

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