Power and Privilege
How and why is a social group represented in a particular way?
When analyzing advertisements, it is essential that one takes in the context of the time period in which the particular ad was advertised. Towards the late 1800 and early 1900's, society's views on African Americans were negative as they were seen as a minority group in comparison to the "whites" of society. As this growing stereotype has continued to emerge in our daily lives in various forms of media, we as individuals cannot help but be exposed to this reality in the way society has shaped our thinking and views on racism found in advertising today.
An advertisement made in 1875 by N.K. Fairbank's Company advertises there product "Fairy Soap". The advertisement features two young girls, one African American child and the other a "white" child. The text found at the bottom of the advertisement says, "Why Doesn't your mama wash you with fairy soap?", the white child asks the African American young girl. This is a malicious line and a subtle proposal from the "white child" to the young African American girl to wash with Fairy Soap so that she can be as white as she. As previously said, the context in which this advertisement was advertised is relevant towards that topic of interest.
When looking at the characters in the advertisement, we notice a significant difference in the way each is represented. The white child addresses the other, she is dressed in elegant clothing with neatly rolled up socks and clever looking boots. She seems very much clean and is holding a bar of Fairy Soap in her hand, whilst the rapper is on the ground next to the other child's feet. When we look at the young African American girl, she is dressed up in old dirty rags and barefoot, whilst holding onto her ripped and tarnished clothing. As the young girl who is advertising the soap is "speaking" the African American girl gives her a questioning and despised look as to what she is saying, therefore expressing her "cluelessness" in the situation. Therefor the purpose of this advertisement is clearly a direct hit on the African American community labeling them as a minority group and enforcing a "dirty", "uncivilized and uneducated" stereotype upon them.
In conclusion, this particular advertisement is a perfect representation of a particular social group in society. When looking at the context of the advertisement, during the late 1800's society's views on the African American community were shaped as viewing them as a minority group in comparison to the whites of society. When looking at this topic with a broader vision, the way in which a particular social group is represented is merely dependent on society's beliefs and values on ethics; the difference between what is thought to be right or wrong.
How and why is a social group represented in a particular way?
When analyzing advertisements, it is essential that one takes in the context of the time period in which the particular ad was advertised. Towards the late 1800 and early 1900's, society's views on African Americans were negative as they were seen as a minority group in comparison to the "whites" of society. As this growing stereotype has continued to emerge in our daily lives in various forms of media, we as individuals cannot help but be exposed to this reality in the way society has shaped our thinking and views on racism found in advertising today.
An advertisement made in 1875 by N.K. Fairbank's Company advertises there product "Fairy Soap". The advertisement features two young girls, one African American child and the other a "white" child. The text found at the bottom of the advertisement says, "Why Doesn't your mama wash you with fairy soap?", the white child asks the African American young girl. This is a malicious line and a subtle proposal from the "white child" to the young African American girl to wash with Fairy Soap so that she can be as white as she. As previously said, the context in which this advertisement was advertised is relevant towards that topic of interest.
When looking at the characters in the advertisement, we notice a significant difference in the way each is represented. The white child addresses the other, she is dressed in elegant clothing with neatly rolled up socks and clever looking boots. She seems very much clean and is holding a bar of Fairy Soap in her hand, whilst the rapper is on the ground next to the other child's feet. When we look at the young African American girl, she is dressed up in old dirty rags and barefoot, whilst holding onto her ripped and tarnished clothing. As the young girl who is advertising the soap is "speaking" the African American girl gives her a questioning and despised look as to what she is saying, therefore expressing her "cluelessness" in the situation. Therefor the purpose of this advertisement is clearly a direct hit on the African American community labeling them as a minority group and enforcing a "dirty", "uncivilized and uneducated" stereotype upon them.
In conclusion, this particular advertisement is a perfect representation of a particular social group in society. When looking at the context of the advertisement, during the late 1800's society's views on the African American community were shaped as viewing them as a minority group in comparison to the whites of society. When looking at this topic with a broader vision, the way in which a particular social group is represented is merely dependent on society's beliefs and values on ethics; the difference between what is thought to be right or wrong.
Hi Melina,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your written piece I found your answer very thorough. Particularly these lines "When looking at this topic with a broader vision, the way in which a particular social group is represented is merely dependent on society's beliefs and values on ethics; the difference between what is thought to be right or wrong. " as I found them very truthful as the way social groups are viewed relies on the various cultures out there . Along with how they view those specific social groups based on their beliefs and values on ethics as you stated.
Very effective analysis of the image that barely contained any language but was heavy in content nevertheless. Interesting how you picked on the way the african american girl was examining the white girl as that didnt occur to me earlier when i saw the ad. It really conveys the message of how at such a young age people were already conditioned to think a certain way and your analysis covered that very well.
ReplyDeleteHi Melina, first off I think that you did a pretty good job, showing depth in your analysis. I liked the fact that you mentioned the history of the advertisement, which is very important because, it shows that you researched the information. Besides of that I think that you portrayed perfectly how the Afro-American citizens were treated by society in those hundred years between 1800's and the 1900's, by explaining every single detail of your advertisement, and connecting all the symbols to the reality. Great job.
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