Fox's new musical-themed show Glee is a fresh, more mature take on Disney's High School Musical. The show's creator, Ryan Murphy, has discovered a way to unite Disney's HSM with the edginess of his previous show, Nip Tuck. As sensational as this sounds, one cannot ignore the stereotypes that also burden Murphy's Glee, and it is unclear whether the creator has used them intentionally to mock these stereotypes in an artistic fashion. In addition, while shows like Glee are entertaining, it is important that viewers watch this sensation with a critical eye, and be able to decipher the differences between reality and fiction, and not use images in Glee as material to base opinions of others.
Blacks as Savage
Mercedes Jones, the token black student, is depicted as a primitive woman - one that is overweight, throws bricks through a man's car when he does not return her love, and states things like " Oh hell to the no... I will cut you." These images depict someone who is almost savage in nature and that lacks higher intelligence. While a character of this nature may be entertaining, her character does perpetuate a stigma of black woman as being overly violent and aggressive. The most disappointing element is the fact that she is the only African-American character on the show, and there are not any other African-American characters that disprove this image.
Gay Men as Pedophiles
The problem with some of the images of gay men on the show is the depiction of them as predators. This holds especially true for the gay teacher, Sandy Ryerson, as he is depicted as a pedophilic man who preys on straight men. For example, in the pilot episode, Ryerson was fired for touching one of his male students inappropriately and gives the student the lead role based on his sexual desires, portraying the image that gay men are predators to innocent straight men. In addition to Sandy, the main gay character Kurt is depicted as an obviously gay teen who is the only person who believes he is still in the closet, and when he goes to ask the lead quarterback for a favor, the quarterback assumes Kurt wants to ask him to prom. Edward Warwick, program coordinator for the LGBT Resource Center, has offered his sentiments: "While it's very important to include LGBTQ characters in mainstream media, we want to make sure we're featuring positive and affirming role models and not simply perpetuating negative stereotypes for the sake of entertainment. While I don't follow the show closely, I would encourage viewers to focus on the positive messages of self-expression, finding community in difference, and individuality. While it is not necessarily a textbook response, through his own fumbles and own unique way, Kurt's father is sure to send an ultimate message of unconditional love, respect, and understanding to his son upon his coming out as gay; a scene that could have very easily had a different outcome based on the writers' decision. It is my sincere hope that viewers would challenge the negative stereotypes, but embrace the inclusion of characters like Kurt and his ultimate courage to be himself. Having positive and affirming characters, experiences, and interactions in the media can help LGBTQ individuals through times that can be both very scary and isolating. It's important to know that you're not alone."
Indians as Cheap
The Indian principal in the school is depicted as so cheap that he is constantly making cuts to the school - ones that are not efficient but just plain tacky. Principal Figgins is so cheap that as a college graduate, he would rather scrub the school floors than hire a janitor. The only janitor he hired was the Spanish teacher / Glee coach, Will Shuester, on account that he worked for half the rate. The show's Web site jovially exclaims that the reason "why we do not love Principal Figgins" is because "he keeps cutting everyone's budget!" Principal Figgins is depicted as almost cruel in his budget cuts, even making Will Scheuster fund the Glee club out of his own pocket. Something that he has in common with Mercedes is the fact that he is the only Indian on the show, and there are no other Indians that go against this image.
While Glee may have negative stereotypes, it is important that viewers are able to recognize these stereotypes, and not use them to judge others. Stereotypes are not limited to shows like Glee, and I encourage readers to not simply look for stereotypes in Glee, however, but to look for stereotypes in the other shows they enjoy as well.
Ashley Ford is a Viewpoint writer for The Cavalier Daily.
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