Not saying it as we speak...

My unsaid thoughts.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Acting White?

Acting White? What does that mean to Film makers? Do their interpretations perpetuate stereotypes?

In this study I will take a look at the stereotypes that are shown when two black actors take on the roles of two white women. The images portrayed in this include the blue-eyed, blonde-haired, All American girl stereotype. I will take a look at the movie White Chicks and other mainstream media movies, television shows, and images, that portray the stereotype of “acting white.”

In the movie White Chicks, Marcus and Kevin Copeland, played by Shawn and Marlon Wayans, are two young, black FBI agents that transform into white women to protect two “All-American,” spoiled, rich socialites. Marcus and Kevin portray these two white women and encounter many trials and tribulations in maintaining their undercover status and protecting these two young girls. Maintaining these images allowed Marcus and Kevin to reinforce many stereotypes that are displayed throughout today’s media about young blondes.
The image of the dumb blonde (associated with characteristics such as seductive behavior, strong make-up, sexy dresses, naivety, giggling, and illogical thinking) has been propagated through movies, and although women are increasingly being featured as tough, independent individuals, commercials still tend to portray female characters in decorative and domestic roles (O'Sullivan, et al., 1998).

It’s no secret that the “dumb blonde” image is displayed over and over again in mainstream America. For example Suzanne Sommers (Three’s Company, 1977-1984), Lisa Kudrow ( Friends 1994-2004), Marilyn Monroe, Jessica Simpson, and Paris Hilton, all display the image of an All-American girl as well as dumb blondes. It is not surprising that the Wayans brothers use these images to make their performance effective as acting white. Still one must wonder if this is art imitating life, or vice versa.
In order to produce an effective content analysis of White Chicks the codes used to analyze this movie include appearances, voices/accents, clothing/accessories , and behavior/ demeanor.

Appearances
Marcus an Kevin are completely transformed into white women. The characteristics of these characters’ appearances dramatically change. Their skin become white (of course), colored contacts are used give them blue eyes, blonde wigs, big breasts, and prosthetics are used to make the noses of Marcus and Kevin more narrow. The image of the beauty of the All-American girl is created. The blonde hair tops the cake for both Marcus and Kevin making them official “White Chicks.” A study by Dr. Tony Cassidy and Georgina Harris, of the University of Coventry, asked 120 people - 60 males and 60 females - to look at pictures of a female model wearing four different coloured wigs, platinum blonde, natural blonde, brown and red. The 'platinum' blonde model was rated as popular by both male and female, but as less intelligent by male raters only. This suggests that the 'dumb blonde' stereotype may be a male construction. Dr Cassidy thought the dumb blonde stereotype probably emerged with the development of films, television and glossy magazines. These images are shown throughout the media everyday. Celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton all possess these characteristics and are considered women of beauty. These images are idolized everyday by today’s youth, which is also shown in a youth radio article: http://www.youthradio.org/health/011107_subclinical.shtml

Clothing/ Accessories
To dress the part of the two “white chicks” Marcus and Kevin were thrown into extremely short skirts and dresses that accentuate their body parts. As an accessory to the “All-American” girl image Marcus carried a pet dog that is pampered to the tee. This image is mocking the stereotypes in the media today shown by Jessica Simpson and her dog Maggie, Paris Hilton and her infamous Chihuahua, Tinkerbell, and many other Hollywood stars who carry their pets in their purse. The media displays small dogs are the must have these days in this article: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-30-2005/0003990957&EDATE=

Voices/Accents
To further create a believable “white” character, the Wayans brothers also changed their voices into a more high-pitched, “Valley-girl” voice. Valley speech is defined more by the use of certain expressions with certain intonations, than by phonological changes. There are also a few phonological characteristics associated with the accent (the spellings I am about to use are not authentic phonetic representations, but rather my own creative interpretation of how the words sound). In general, high back vowels shift to their corresponding rounded front vowels ("y'know"= "y'knü"), low back unrounded vowels become rounded ("oh my God" ="oh my Gawd"), and low front vowels become low unrounded back vowels ("hat" ="hot", or in the song, "Andrea" = "Ondrea"). (Chris Frost, http://www.personal.umich.edu/~jlawler/ask/valley.girl.html).
Another site that also notes so Valley Girlisms is: (http://silversapphire.expage.com/id47.html)
These mannerisms are stereotypically portrayed by white women and Marcus and Kevin uses them to get into character as a white woman.

Behaviors/Demeanors
Blondes have more fun! In White Chicks, Marcus and Kevin embody the stereotypical behaviors of white women. From shopping sprees, to social parties, the two “white chicks” experience life as a socialite in the Hamptons. Marcus and Kevin “dumb down” in order to fit in with their friends, giggles as if it’s contagious, and makes snooty remarks about their rivals. Images like these are portrayed in movies such as Clueless (1995), and Mean Girls (2004). Both of these popular movies contain a predominately white cast that reflects the stereotypes of rich, white kids.

Although this movie is a comedy and it’s intent is to poke fun at rich white girls in the media today, it’s interesting to see what stereotypes are widely accepted, and associated with these girls. The media does play a large part in presenting these images to the public. In order to act white, you must dress a certain way, speak in what can be considered “White Ebonics,” carry a dog in your shoulder bag, dumb down, and shopping and partying must be a priority. At least that is what it seems like the credentials are in films and in the media. Film makers replicate what they see in the media to make an effective and relatable image in their movies.

Acting Black? http://tdgoldson.blogspot.com

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