Effects Of Racism, And Representation, Master Of None: Indians On TV
The ideology of racism rapidly increased in correlation to slavery and slave trade, which is also related to Euro centrism and the early European culture. By defining themselves against the orient or the “other”, a sense of strength and identity was gained. By examining ‘race’, racism, and representation, Master Of None: “Indians on TV” (season 1, episode 4) undertakes racial issues in the Hollywood film industry. In analyzing narrative practices and racial discourses, this episode brings attention to the representational codes and politics presented in “Indians on TV” as well as the ways in which Hollywood cinema represent minorities in popular culture. A commitment to deconstructing Hollywood’s hegemonic casting and highly racial depictions of the “other” will be studied, putting an emphasis on the discourses of race and history, along with the inclusion and exclusion of underrepresented stereotypes in Hollywood
…show more content…
as seen through Master of None.
The episode “Indians on TV” stars Dev, played by Aziz Ansari, who, when auditioning for a role, was asked to demonstrate an Indian accent.
Dev refused, and quickly afterwards, came to the realization that there is only a limited amount of acting roles offered to Indians, in addition to the underrepresentation of minorities in the cinematic industry of television and film. Dev also wonders why he cannot have acting opportunities equal to a white male character such as Bradley Cooper’s characters would have. As the episode moves forward, Dev and his friend Ravi audition for another sitcom, where Dev is mistakenly forwarded an email from the executives of the network. The email included their wavering decision on either choosing Dev or Ravi for the main role. The email also carried a racist remark about meeting with both to see which one “curries our favor”. The executive’s racist joke, along with the suggestion that there cannot be two Indians, results in Dev feeling hurt, and contemplating on whether or not he should leak the email, or use it in his
favor.
The racist joke written by the network executive signifies everyday racism that consequently supports ordinary everyday actions, language, and beliefs, which often go unnoticed. As a result, racist ideologies are strengthened in a subtle form. The only difference is that his racist mentality was caught in action. Victims who endure the everyday racism are conscious and attentive of it, due to it being frequent and repetitive with prior experience. First Dev is asked to perform an Indian accent, followed by being the butt of the joke in the e-mail. Consequently, white people often may not realize or acknowledge racism even in their own actions or words, which generates a problem. Racism is often not suffered by the offenders, yet it is instantly and uncomfortably felt by its victims. Many do not understand that discrimination is a matter of impact, not intent, and are seen as personal attacks across individual and institutional forms of racism. This framework is from the discursive power of whiteness, which establishes its social, political and cultural hegemony – where the dominant discourse never speaks is own name, and is often based on absence. The absence is not just
as seen through Master of None.
The episode “Indians on TV” stars Dev, played by Aziz Ansari, who, when auditioning for a role, was asked to demonstrate an Indian accent.
Dev refused, and quickly afterwards, came to the realization that there is only a limited amount of acting roles offered to Indians, in addition to the underrepresentation of minorities in the cinematic industry of television and film. Dev also wonders why he cannot have acting opportunities equal to a white male character such as Bradley Cooper’s characters would have. As the episode moves forward, Dev and his friend Ravi audition for another sitcom, where Dev is mistakenly forwarded an email from the executives of the network. The email included their wavering decision on either choosing Dev or Ravi for the main role. The email also carried a racist remark about meeting with both to see which one “curries our favor”. The executive’s racist joke, along with the suggestion that there cannot be two Indians, results in Dev feeling hurt, and contemplating on whether or not he should leak the email, or use it in his
favor.
The racist joke written by the network executive signifies everyday racism that consequently supports ordinary everyday actions, language, and beliefs, which often go unnoticed. As a result, racist ideologies are strengthened in a subtle form. The only difference is that his racist mentality was caught in action. Victims who endure the everyday racism are conscious and attentive of it, due to it being frequent and repetitive with prior experience. First Dev is asked to perform an Indian accent, followed by being the butt of the joke in the e-mail. Consequently, white people often may not realize or acknowledge racism even in their own actions or words, which generates a problem. Racism is often not suffered by the offenders, yet it is instantly and uncomfortably felt by its victims. Many do not understand that discrimination is a matter of impact, not intent, and are seen as personal attacks across individual and institutional forms of racism. This framework is from the discursive power of whiteness, which establishes its social, political and cultural hegemony – where the dominant discourse never speaks is own name, and is often based on absence. The absence is not just