Symbolic reality bites 2: contemporary representations of women and people of color in top 100 films

Abstract

Symbolic annihilation refers to media representations that exclude, trivialize, or demonize a group. Initially used to describe the scarcity and stereotypical portrayals of women in mass media, this term has expanded to provide insight into media representations of other groups less valued within a culture based on age, race, ethnicity, and sexuality. Research on film and television has found evidence of symbolic annihilation of women, particularly older women and people of color. The purpose of this study is to add to this scholarship on media representations. A content analysis of the top 100 domestic grossing films of 2016 revealed that the symbolic annihilation of women and people of color continues to be evident in contemporary U.S. popular media.