Abstract
Negative cultural images of Black people, shaped by predominantly white male television content creators, have prompted calls for more racial inclusion behind the scenes. Even though representation is the topic of scholarly conversations, little is known about what representation in television content leadership looks like or how people from diverse backgrounds influence the ways Black characters are portrayed on-screen. This chapter fills this gap by examining a prime-time television show created, written, and executive produced by a Black woman, Shonda Rhimes. Using qualitative content analysis, this chapter analyzes Shonda Rhimes’s Grey’s Anatomy to explore how intergroup interactions and depictions of race and gender on a prime-time television show may reflect the social location of its creator. The findings presented in this chapter suggest that the way Rhimes redefines culturally negative stereotypes of Black women reflects her “outsider within” social location, one she used to push back against external definitions of Black womanhood.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call