Are You A White Man Or A Christian? If You Fail

Are You A White Are You A Man Are You A Christian If You Failed To

Are you a white? Are you a man? Are you a Christian? If you failed to match up to these questions, it was difficult to assimilate into the mainstream society in 1930’s America. In 1930, white Christian men dominated society, so non-American or female could not get into mainstream.

Although they had talent and equal ability with white men, their ability was disparaged and this unfairness of society was accepted in general. However, sexual discrimination and racism cannot be embraced today. Then, how can we know this? The answer is mass media, especially mainstream mass media. Mass media reflect the societal notions, social atmosphere, and stereotypes of the age.

As we can imagine 1930’s social conceptions from newspapers or movies of that time, today’s TV shows reflect modern social conceptions. I watched a TV show called Modern Family and this show presents modern America’s values and conceptions. In Modern Family, there are three families comprising eleven characters. The main character named Jay Pritchett has a son, a daughter, and a stepson.

Jay Pritchett is married to Gloria Pritchett, who is Colombian. Jay Pritchett’s daughter, Claire Pritchett, is married to Phil Dunphy, and they have two daughters and a son. Jay Pritchett’s son, Mitchell Pritchett, is gay, and he married his partner Cameron Tucker; they adopted a daughter from Vietnam named Lily Tucker-Pritchett. Through these eleven characters, I can infer how American societal values have been changing and what social conceptions are accepted today.

Jay Pritchett is a successful American white male married to a Colombian woman named Gloria. In 1930s America, successful white men were not married to non-white women. Non-white people could not assimilate into white families. Therefore, Modern Family showcases how American society has become increasingly diverse. Interracial marriage is now common in the United States. Gloria Pritchett has the same rights as any American, and she is not discriminated against because of her race. All members of the Pritchett family respect Gloria, demonstrating societal acceptance of racial and cultural diversity.

Claire Pritchett, Jay’s daughter, is portrayed as a powerful woman who makes most household decisions, with her husband Phil following her lead. Their daughter Alex is a highly intelligent student; she cares more about her grades than her appearance. Importantly, her intelligence and abilities are recognized and not belittled, reflecting a societal shift towards valuing women’s intellectual contributions. Historically, media often depicted women deriding their intelligence, but contemporary society recognizes women as equal participants, highlighting progress in gender equality.

Jay Pritchett’s son, Mitchell, is gay and works as a lawyer. His marriage to Cameron Tucker underscores that being gay is no longer a weakness or a social stigma in today’s America. Mitchell and Cameron adopted Lily, a Vietnamese girl, illustrating that adoption rights for gay couples are supported by law in some states like California. The acceptance and legal support provided for gay marriage and adoption in contemporary America contrast sharply with the portrayal of gay characters in media from 1929, where homosexual characters often concealed their true identities to avoid social rejection.

In the 1929 film Modern Family, gay characters pretended to like women to hide their orientation, reflecting societal discrimination and the invisibility of homosexuality. Today, societal attitudes have transformed to respect individual sexual identities. The TV show Modern Family exemplifies these changes by depicting openly gay characters living authentically, demonstrating societal acceptance of sexual diversity and respect for individual rights.

This evolution in societal conceptions signifies a fundamental shift in values. Modern America celebrates diversity, equality, and individual rights irrespective of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Mass media, as both a reflection and a catalyst of societal values, has played a crucial role in shaping these perceptions. As media portrayals evolve from stereotypical and discriminatory to inclusive and respectful, they influence societal attitudes, fostering a culture of acceptance and equality.

In conclusion, the changes illustrated through media, especially popular TV shows like Modern Family, highlight significant advances in societal perceptions of race, gender, and sexuality in America. What was once taboo or marginalized has become normalized and respected, illustrating the ongoing progress toward a more inclusive society. As media continues to portray diverse identities and values positively, it helps reinforce societal acceptance and understanding, fostering a more equitable and respectful social environment.

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