#token indian

[itsgeekgirlauthority]

GGA Indigenerd Wire: Wes Studi Is More Than a Token Indian - Geek Girl Authority

The Indigenerd Wire takes a look at the career of one of the most well known Indigenous actors today, Wes Studi.

[coadyspaeth-blog]

Token Friend

Since I have yet to talk about this common "trait" in television and movies, I thought I'd take the time to write about it now. While shows like "New Girl" and "Family Guy" are showing diversity by incorporating a black male in the friend group, a common theme is having only one black male in the troupe.

The token black guy.

(New Girl)

This "trait" has become more popular and noticeable during the 21st Century with movies like "She's All That".

(Grown Ups)

The movie "Grown Ups" has classic comedians Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, and Rob Schnieder as men that grew up together reuniting and growing with their families. What's funny is this movie comments on how society is now becoming diverse through one black male on television shows and movies, even though "Grown Ups" only incorporates one black male (Chris Rock) in their movie.

In a scene where the grown ups (comedians) are playing a game of basketball against another group of grown ups that also have a token black guy, Chris Rock comments on how the token black guy can't really hang out with their group as his group already has a token black guy.

While this is somewhat comical, I think there actually is some truth to the meaning. Though it's becoming more common for mixed race television shows and movies, lately television shows and movies will only incorporate a token black male or token Indian woman to show diversity.

(Mindy Project)

I find this is becoming a terrible habit, as visually whatever this black male or Indian woman says are their beliefs or are comic traits in their character's persona, many viewers will full on believe this to be true. In claiming that the token black male is christian and says all his "brethren" are christian, instantly the audience believes he is speaking for all black males. Thus false stereotypes begin easily.

Diversity means, "the state or fact of being diverse; difference; unlikeness; variety" (Dictionary.com), variety being the key word. Meaning that simply opening the scope on a show or movie to include one person whom is not white, doesn't make the show a diverse scope. The ratio would need to be larger, but by simply placing a "token person" on a show or movie will create the affect that this person represents some common religion, race, or stereotype that audiences will pick up on and instantly believe because it was strong enough be broadcasted. The token person, has more power than most audiences know, but for the approach to becoming diverse the entertainment industry still has some ways to go.