Response # 5 - The representation and perception of "immigrants" in mainstream media

Why does fair cultural representation in the media matter?

            In this chapter, Mahtani (2008) calls for “a multidimensional approach” when Canadian immigrants, specifically “visible minorities” are depicted in mainstream English-language media.  Her premise is that Canadians (the normative White citizens) know very little about Canada’s diverse immigrant populations. What they do know is influenced by what they see and hear on the television, online and in newsprint. This is particularly true for those in rural regions because they are not exposed to diversity in the same way as urbanites are. So, journalists and media producers/creators have a big responsibility because their portrayals of minorities and immigrants shapes the overall mindsets and outlook of media consumers. I agree with this sentiment, but what Mahtani does not adequately address in her chapter is the incredible power that Canadians (minorities and others) have in their reception and responses as they consume mainstream media.

The problem with conflation

            Both the media and the research available tend to conflate the term “immigrant” with visible minorities, people of colour and other racialized groups. So for the purposes of this chapter, the author’s use of “immigrant” once again represents just those immigrants who belong to that broad group we love to address as “visible minorities.” Under the official Employment Equity Act (2006), visible minorities are “persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.” Mahtani makes the assumption here that Caucasian immigrants don’t fall under the groups misrepresented and marginalized by the media.

            I feel that there are so many issues with this. First, not all visible minorities see themselves as immigrants. Using the term interchangeably limits the scope of multicultural perspectives and perpetuates the “othering” of those citizens. Just by virtue of not being born in Canada, people of colour are constantly aware of their “otherness.” But even those visible minorities born in Canada – like third or fourth generation Chinese-Canadians – are part of those immigrant groups destined to stay on the periphery of mainstream media. Secondly, to say that the media does not marginalize Caucasian immigrants is not completely correct either. For example, the portrayal of immigrants from Eastern Europe is often criminalized in fictional portrayals through television and film.

The production and consumption of media: Neocolonial and capitalist agendas

            Mahtani suggests that both ethnic media (programming produced/consumed by specific ethnic groups) and mainstream media should help with the integration process by bridging the gap. Immigrants need to have just as much agency in the production process of mainstream media and those media stakeholders and shareholders need to be equally represented as well.

            While it was more pervasive in the twentieth century, even today, racialized immigrants are misrepresented as “problem people” in TV and film. The trend now is that immigrants (specifically Middle Eastern, Latin American, South Asian, and Eastern European) continue to be criminalized in media fiction under the umbrella issue of “national security.” Mahtani writes that our discourse in media, government policies, education and other sectors is so heavily racialized that those sentiments are internalized with very little critical analyses. Consequently, as these neocolonial productions continue with increasing nuances, their popularity is growing and their consumption and allure are increasing.

            I feel that more commentary and research is needed to make assertive claims on how this heavily racialized media consumption is perceived and received by Canadians. Mahtani writes that now there is an allure to seeing diversity represented in media – not only to reach the ever-growing ethnic audiences, but also as edutainment for the more homogenous rural populations. So naturally, the financial profits in ethnic representations are the only reason for the diversification of media.  I believe that as an increasing number of visible minorities are becoming involved in the creation and production processes, the financial benefits might not be the only reason for diversification.

References

Mahtani, M. (2008). How are immigrants seen – and what do they want to see?        Contemporary research on the representation of immigrants in the Canadian         English-language media. From Immigration and Integration in Canada in the     Twenty-First Century. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queens University     Press.

Employment Equity Data Report. (2006). Members of Visible Minorities in Canada.

Retrieved from www.labour.gc.ca