The problem surrounding equal and accurate representations of race is very prominent in today’s television landscape. While recently there has been an increase in diversity in major television shows, there is still a lack of diversity on television overall. A content analysis done in the 1970s showed that “the majority of characters on television were white, middle-class and male” (Kubey et al, 1995, 459). This still remains true today, as the affluent white male seems to dominate some of the most popular shows. Minority groups are generally the most underrepresented, and when they are represented they are the most susceptible to racial stereotyping (Kubey et al, 1995, 459). However, with the increase in cable programming, “niche” channels have been created. Within these “niche” channels, diversity is very prominent because of the channels that are “entirely devoted to one ethnic group or another” (Kubey et al, 1995, 459). Despite the rise of cable channels showing diversity, it is thought that network channels like ABC, NBC, and CBS remain “disproportionately white” (Kubey et al, 1995, 459). While this may be true, Grey’s Anatomy brings a very diverse cast and storyline to ABC primetime television which helps challenge these beliefs about diversity on television today.
The cast of Grey’s Anatomy consists of people from all different ethnic and racial backgrounds. In season six, the main cast consisted of seven white characters, three African American characters, and one Asian character. Though the ratio of ethnicities is still in favor of the white demographic, Grey’s portrays each character equally regardless of their race. Shonda Rhimes, the creator of the show, was noted a saying she had “race-blind casting methods” (Long, 2011, 1067) when creating this show. This is apparent throughout every season of the show, as there is not one race that seems to dominate another. Meredith Grey, the main character, is a very successful white female doctor who upholds a marriage to another, white doctor. Similarly, however, Christina Yang is an Asian doctor who is arguably more successful in her profession than Meredith is. She is also shown in successful romantic relationships while maintaining a positive name for herself professionally. Another character who is shown as being extremely successful in her job is the African American doctor, Dr. Miranda Bailey. Dr. Bailey’s storyline involves her balancing her excellent surgical and teaching skills in the hospital, as well as being a loving and caring mother to her son. These three characters depict how Grey’s Anatomy does not base the character’s storyline off of stereotypical racial roles, but rather each individual’s work ethic and personality. A fourth character who challenges the general belief of white domination of television is Dr. Jacskson Avery. Dr. Avery is a character that is heir to an extremely prestigious and wealthy family of doctors who are all of African American descent. Dr. Avery is also a very successful and affluent doctor who ends up owning part of the hospital that Grey’s Anatomy is set in. The overall success and positive image that Dr. Avery upholds over a majority of the white doctors on the show challenges the general stereotype of the white characters being the most dominant and affluent.
Since the show is set in a hospital, each episode contains storylines that center around the doctor’s professional triumphs and losses. The writers give each of the doctors an equal chance to make professional advancements as well as have setbacks, regardless of their race. Christina is an extremely professional doctor who is well-known in the medical field. She is not put at any disadvantage for not being the “affluent white doctor” which would be typically be assumed to dominate the primetime show. In fact, she could be considered to be one of the most successful doctors, as she receives various awards, recognitions, and grants throughout every season of the show. Portraying Christina’s character as one of the most successful and intelligent ones on the show solidifies the thought that “every character is portrayed as having worked exceptionally hard for what s/he has earned” and that “racial privilege and it’s converse are rarely noted at Seattle Grace” (Long, 2011, 1069). Christina’s character is proven to be successful in her job by the knowledge she gained by attending an ivy league school, the sacrifices she makes in other areas of her life in order to gain more surgical experience, and the overall extra time she spends in the hospital learning about various patient cases. This success is completely irrelevant to her ethnic background, and she is disproving the stereotypical thought that the white doctors in the show would be the most successful.
A third way that Grey’s does not affirm any stereotypes thought to surround network television is through the relationships between the characters. Meredith and Christina are shown as being best friends, and most of the time value each other over anyone else who comes into their lives. It’s thought that “Grey’s Anatomy privelages the connection between these two, differently raced women over Meredith’s connection with Derek, a white man” (Long, 2011, 1075). This relationship between the two women clearly depicts a connection that is not affected by any racial boundaries, as they do not look at each other through a racial lens, but rather value the emotional support their friendship provides.
Grey’s Anatomy has proven to go against the mainstream ideas surrounding television’s representation of diversity. Through it’s racially diverse cast and equal representations of each character, the show challenges modern day beliefs surrounding lack of racial equality on television. Though other shows on network television may not also contain such diversity, Grey’s Anatomy provides a look in to how some network shows contradict thoughts about the media’s underrepresentation of minority groups.
References:
Kubey, R., & Shifflet, M. (1995). Demographic diversity on cable: Have the new cable channels made a difference in the.. Journal Of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 39(4), 459.
LONG, A. (2011). Diagnosing Drama: Grey's Anatomy, Blind Casting, and the Politics of Representation. Journal Of Popular Culture, 44(5), 1067-1084. doi:10.1111/j.1540-5931.2011.00888.x
Since the show is set in a hospital, each episode contains storylines that center around the doctor’s professional triumphs and losses. The writers give each of the doctors an equal chance to make professional advancements as well as have setbacks, regardless of their race. Christina is an extremely professional doctor who is well-known in the medical field. She is not put at any disadvantage for not being the “affluent white doctor” which would be typically be assumed to dominate the primetime show. In fact, she could be considered to be one of the most successful doctors, as she receives various awards, recognitions, and grants throughout every season of the show. Portraying Christina’s character as one of the most successful and intelligent ones on the show solidifies the thought that “every character is portrayed as having worked exceptionally hard for what s/he has earned” and that “racial privilege and it’s converse are rarely noted at Seattle Grace” (Long, 2011, 1069). Christina’s character is proven to be successful in her job by the knowledge she gained by attending an ivy league school, the sacrifices she makes in other areas of her life in order to gain more surgical experience, and the overall extra time she spends in the hospital learning about various patient cases. This success is completely irrelevant to her ethnic background, and she is disproving the stereotypical thought that the white doctors in the show would be the most successful.
A third way that Grey’s does not affirm any stereotypes thought to surround network television is through the relationships between the characters. Meredith and Christina are shown as being best friends, and most of the time value each other over anyone else who comes into their lives. It’s thought that “Grey’s Anatomy privelages the connection between these two, differently raced women over Meredith’s connection with Derek, a white man” (Long, 2011, 1075). This relationship between the two women clearly depicts a connection that is not affected by any racial boundaries, as they do not look at each other through a racial lens, but rather value the emotional support their friendship provides.
Grey’s Anatomy has proven to go against the mainstream ideas surrounding television’s representation of diversity. Through it’s racially diverse cast and equal representations of each character, the show challenges modern day beliefs surrounding lack of racial equality on television. Though other shows on network television may not also contain such diversity, Grey’s Anatomy provides a look in to how some network shows contradict thoughts about the media’s underrepresentation of minority groups.
References:
Kubey, R., & Shifflet, M. (1995). Demographic diversity on cable: Have the new cable channels made a difference in the.. Journal Of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 39(4), 459.
LONG, A. (2011). Diagnosing Drama: Grey's Anatomy, Blind Casting, and the Politics of Representation. Journal Of Popular Culture, 44(5), 1067-1084. doi:10.1111/j.1540-5931.2011.00888.x