The presence of a variety of ethnicities in popular culture, in regards to the music and film industry, appears to be a sign of progressive assimilation and acceptance, but the stereotypical nature of such roles actor and musicians embody can also be seen as contradiction to integration.
In the music industry, the popular genre of hip-hop/rap is specifically known for having a majority of African-American artists. However, black musicians are then stereotyped into only being talented in that particular genre and are known for work that is predominantly associated with risqué, racial remarks. It is also true that white artists have incorporated popular rap methods in their own work, but have altered them to present a more appropriate, less provocative message to listeners.
An example of assimilation in television is the popular character of Gloria in the popular television series, Modern Family. This character is a strong Latina representative. Although this character depicts racial diversity on a well-known television program, Gloria also depends on stereotypes of a Latino, such as the typical loud and passionate personality. Also, she marries into a close-knit white family and quickly adopts a majority of their traditions including being a lovely, spicy Latina trophy wife.
In his article, “Liberty, Coercion, and the Making of Americans”, Gerstle points out that although America promises immigrants a land of liberty, foreigners also face coercion in that they must assimilate fully to be accepted. This means they must abandon their heritage to become American patriots. In regards to American popular culture, although particular races have been stereotyped into certain roles or genres, they do not fully desert their heritage but do adhere to many American customs. Nonetheless clichéd, “token” black or Latino roles are represented as normal American characters, but stand out as they flaunt distinctive traits associated with their race. This assimilation of American characters relates to the article by Gordon. Gordon notes the definition of assimilation is when different cultures constantly interact and causes change in one or all the participating groups. Americans have gradually come to accept different races and those different races, for example African-American and Latino, are steadily being represented in mainstream media.
-Roseann Weick
I love that you brought up Gloria (ay Manny!). She’s a really good example of the contradictions of ethnic identity right now in American pop culture. And in fact, the show Modern Family in general is a good example of broader ambivalence about cultural difference. On one hand, the show seems to be really inclusive – the “modern family” according to the show is not limited to heterosexual white unions and their children. Even large age differences (Jay and Gloria) are fair game. But most of the humor in the show comes from exploiting stereotypes: the crotchety old man; the flamboyant, melodramatic gay male who loves show tunes; and then there’s the most extreme stereotype in the show, the fiery Latina, and she is totally over-the-top excessive in her accent and her clothes and her way of dealing with relationships. What do we make of this? Are they laughing with multiculturalism or at stereotypes? The line is constantly blurred. There are plenty of other examples: Tracy Jordan, for example, on 30 Rock. Mainstream American society is becoming more accepting every year of all kinds of social difference, but looking or speaking different is still funny, and probably always will be.