No.5 Stereotyping: The American Entertainment
As far as anyone can actually remember, people of different cultures, race, religion, or even social position have been stereotyped for years and years. But, while all stereotypes have gone noticed, there has been one that has indeed been overlooked: The Irish. When looking at political cartoons of the 19th century, and looking at television series and films made by many Americans of the 21st Century, one can see that Irish stereotyping has not changed much and has actually grown a little more.
Take for example, modern television. Usually, TV series which are so “politically incorrect”, can’t even contain themselves when it comes to stereotyping. There was a sitcom called “The Fighting Fitzgeralds” that first aired on NBC in March 2001, which only served to bring Irish stereotyping to the surface. The main character is a retired firefighter. he has one son that’s a bartender, another that is a professional stockbroker that can’t seem to hold a job and of course their hobbies are drinking and arguing. The reviews from Mike Duffy and John Levesque differ in some respects, but both agree that there’s little funny in maintaining stereotypes. While, the show thankfully did not last long, only proves the point that Irish stereotyping has evolved since the past. Now take that show and compare to the Irish man in the module as he seems to be raising his fists in an argument. This only gives fuel to the idea that Irish only love to argue and fight amongst others, just like “The Fighting Fitzgeralds”. Political cartoons may be a little out of date, for stereotyping, but television has indeed kept up with the times.
Even, American films have kept the tradition of creating stereotypes within the Irish community presented. One example, we can see is religion. During, what is commonly known as the Golden Age of Film. Classics, which inclueded some of the biggest stars brought the Irish personal to life in some very stereotypical ways. For example, there was James Cagney, the big brutish kind of guy, as well as the famous Spencer Tracy. Others to add were Bing Crosby, who made it “ok” to be an Irish priest, and then there was Maureen O’ Hara with ehr flaming red hair and a temperament to equal. Decades later we can look back at some of thsoe films and see true classics, while others may get a “B” grade. We also see them as fiction and recognize the stereotypes so common in that Golden Era of Hollywood. The module, shows an Irishman with a catholic book by his side. How stereotypical was it to bring the Irish and Catholicism as a match made in heaven in some sense. Through the rhetorical use of media, American society has taken entertainment through films and televisions as a means of bringing the American interpretation of the Irishman to life. It even shows that it has developed so far into our psyche that we think someone of Irish culture talks and sounds like the people presented on TV. Just like, many did int he poltical cartoons of the 19th century, the American interpretation of the Irishman is only bias and based on what people presume is someone of Irish descent. Can anyone honestly say that it does not damage a community or ethnic group to be repeatedly portrayed in such a derogatory style? What of the reputations of the vast majority of Americans of Irish descent who work hard, are well educated and contribute regularly to their communities? Is that all to be lost in a joke about a drunken paddy?
In conclusion, one can see how it was easy for the Irish to be stereotyped in American newspapers and now the media of the 21st century has taken over the job. The lesson that one can learn is to not presume or believe the satire presented by others. While, satire or parody can be funny to mark it as a fact will only bring one more into stereotyping and that is something one can hope to easily fix for the future.
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