the media and community cohesion new

8/23/2019 The Media and Community Cohesion NEW

1/13

To watch the

Simpsons episodeMypods andboomsticks to

understand how themedia deals with

community cohesionand issues of racism.


2/13

Grade CAll Will be able to describehow Muslims and otherreligions and races areportrayed in this episode.

Grade BMost Will be able toexplain, using examples, howthis episode might promotecommunity cohesion.

Grade A-A*Some Will be able toevaluate, using examples,whether this episode mightprovoke racial tension.


3/13

Issues linked tocommunity cohesion

(racism, sexism etc...)are often used by the

media to promoteunderstanding as wellas presenting

interesting storylinesfor viewers.

Can you think of anystorylines (from soaps,films, dramas etc..) orexamples (from songs,

the radio,documentaries etc...)that deal with issuesrelating to community

cohesion?Make a list in your

books...

Panorama Hate on the doorstepFilm American History XCasualty Woman wouldn't be treatedby black doctorFilm This is England

Strictly come dancing racistscommentsBig Brother Racists commentsFilm Malcolm XVicar of Dibley Women priestsFilm Guess Who?

Hollyoaks- racist teacher


4/13

The mediasometimes

tacklesissues

relating tocommunity

cohesion in ahumorous

way.Think of

ONE positiveand ONE

negative ofpresentingissues in this

way...


5/13

The mediasometimes

tackles issuesrelating tocommunity

cohesion in a

serious way.Think of

ONE positive

and ONEnegative ofpresenting

issues in this

way...


6/13

One of the mainproblems facingthe media over

issues of religionand communitycohesion is the

opinion that theyare not presentingthe full story.

Many complaints aresubmitted claiming

programmes areone sided or

biased towardscertain ethnic

groups, religionsand sexes.


7/13

Bart befriends a Muslim boy and invites him and hisparents to dinner, only for Homer's paranoia to get

the better of him, but when Homer goes over to theirhouse to apologize, he sees the father with sticks of

TNT and thinks he's going to blow up Springfield Mall.


8/13

Watch the following episodeof The Simpsons...

Answer the questions on your sheet.

Remember to include as much detail aspossible (ESPECIALLY EXAMPLES)...


9/13

Are women, religions and people

from ethnic groups representedfairly in this episode?Focus particularly on how Muslims

are portrayed (positive andnegative)

How might this episode promotecommunity cohesion?

Think about the message it gives especially towards the end.

Do you think this episode couldprovoke racial tension?

Think about how it might influencepeople.


10/13

Are women, religions and people fromethnic groups represented fairly in

this episode?

Focus particularly on how Muslims areportrayed (positive and negative)

Yes There are different religionsrepresented e.g. Hindu-Apu,

Buddhist-Lisa, Christian-Flanders,Muslim-new family, Jewish-Krusty.Yes The new Muslim family are shown

to be welcoming and neighbourly e.g.Offer Bart dinner upon first meeting

him.

No It shows a stereotypical view ofMuslims and Non-Muslims E.g. Homerassuming they are terrorists.


11/13

How might this episode promotecommunity cohesion?

Think about the message it gives especially towards the end.

It shows that stereotypical views of Muslims areWRONG E.g. Homer assumes they are terrorists

but there is an innocent explanation foreverything.

It shows that families of different religions can getalong and be friends E.g- Bart and the Muslimboy become good friends as do both families in

the end.It highlights the cultural differences in a positive way

E.g. Bart has some food cooked by the Muslimfamily and loves it.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations praised theepisode and sent a commending letter to Mat

Groening.

They wrote "I applaud your effort in Sunday's episodeof 'The Simpsons' to humanise American Muslimsby challenging anti-Muslim sentiment in our

society. By introducing a professional Muslimfamily, the 'Mypods and Boomsticks' episode

highlighted the diverse make-up of Springfieldand brought to light how Americans can work

toward mutual respect and inclusion by getting toknow their neighbours."


12/13

Do you think this episode couldprovoke racial tension?

Think about how it might influencepeople.

Yes It highlights the differences between culturesand religions E.g. Muslims dont eat pork.

Yes It highlights Islamic stereotypes E.g. LinkingMuslims to terrorist acts.

Yes It makes Islamophobia look like somethingexperienced by the majority E.g. The bullies at

school, the men in the bar and Homer all hadnegative stereotypical views.

No In the end it highlights how silly it is to holdthese stereotypical views about Muslims E.g.

Homer was wrong about them and everything had asimple explanation.

No It shows that people who have stereotypicalprejudice views like Homers can hurt and offend E.g. The Muslim family get upset and hurt at the

meal by Homers comments.No It showed the importance of getting to know

your neighbours and that we live in a multi-cultural, multi-faith society and that this is

something to be celebrated E.g. The ending ofthis episode.


13/13

Grade CAll Will be able to describehow Muslims and otherreligions and races areportrayed in this episode.

Grade BMost Will be able toexplain, using examples,how this episode mightpromote community

cohesion.Grade A-A*Some Will be able toevaluate, using examples,whether this episode mightprovoke racial tension.

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