Media Portrayls 1/12/11

I think the article's description of media's portrayls of minorities as both infrequent and stereotypical is right and wrong.  I can see where the author is coming from and that the media does portray some minorities wrong but I think it depends on what aspect we are speaking of.  When I think of the media and their portrayls of minorities I think of the actual "stereotypical mindset."  Not only did the media develop a stereotype of ethnicities, and people (majority and minorities) but the people, speaking of us in general, have helped create and develop those stereotypical mind sets. either of observations and perceptions but also of what is known and actually seen in the world.  In the article he mentions the exclusion of minorities from their "circle" in the show Friends.  In this particular reasoning I understand the different thoughts and concepts of it, but aren't their shows and movies made where the majority don't exist, nor or they mentioned?  What about the channel "BET"; with this the entire channel, network itself excludes the majority and other minorities.  Although we are a melting pot, Americans are still in need of acceptance and reliance on each other, instead of competition and judgement. 

The second article speaks on others perception and influence on minorities.  I think this is true and false.  It kind of depends on the person and their interaction with diversity.  If one has not been around a lot of diversity and has not encountered with people outside of their own race and culture, then of course their perception of them could be very wrong or off due to misconceptions.  They could gain a mindset and stereotype of a certain minority group based off of how much they see that race on the news or in trouble, or how majority dress, etc.  But if one can and does intereact with diversity and other races than their own, then their perception will be more accurate and less stereotypical. As years progress though, the media is keeping up and almost encouraging diversity and interacial relationship and friendships.  With these media changes I think it will help reshape perceptions and stereotypes of people.