Superficial diversity strategies conceal rather than resolve persistent representational racism

Evidence

Television has participated in the co-optation of multiculturalism by portraying limited and acceptable versions of diversity, thus demonstrating again and again that an increase in diverse representations of Arab and Muslim identities does not in itself demonstrate a victory over racism. Gray has written that the evolving strategy of television networks since the 1980s—from containing the many difficult questions of race to superficial support of liberal pluralism— has had a nasty side effect: the elimination, repression, or incorporation of difference as part of the co-optation mechanism. Similarly, Hall has written that the spaces “won” for difference are “very carefully policed and regulated… . [W] hat replaces invisibility is a kind of carefully regulated, segregated visibility.” — Evelyn Alsultany, Arabs and Muslims in the Media, 1416 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Inserting a patriotic Arab or Muslim American or fictionalizing Middle Eastern countries are ineffectual devices if Arabs, Muslims, Arab Americans, and Muslim Americans continue to be portrayed through the narrow lens of “good” or “bad” in the fight against terrorism. Casting actors of color to give the impression of a postracial society propagates the comforting notion of an enlightened society that has resolved all its racial problems. The various strategies used in the first decade of the War on Terror are akin to a Band-Aid over a still-festering wound. They give the impression of comfort, perhaps even of cure, but the fundamental problem remains. — Evelyn Alsultany, Arabs and Muslims in the Media, 162 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Diversity scholarship naturalises plurality and hides how racial distinctions are made — Luke de Noronha, The conviviality of the overpoliced,…, 28; Globalization’s homogenization destroys cultural meaning, making diversity preservation a recognition claim — David Schlosberg, Defining Environmental Justice:…, 299; Resolving conflict must not be conflated with erasing diversity — David Schlosberg, Defining Environmental Justice:…, 624 (+16 more)

Broader Connections

• Representative diversity in media can co-opt rather than defeat racism #corroborates (0.95) — Evelyn Alsultany, Arabs and Muslims in the Media, 1416
• Diversity casting alone cannot fix racist representation while stereotypes persist #corroborates (0.92) — Evelyn Alsultany, Arabs and Muslims in the Media, 162