Who Saves the Day?: Racial Messaging in Superhero Cartoons
Date
2022-04-18
Authors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Repository Usage Stats
views
downloads
Abstract
Literature shows the effects that portrayals of gender and violence in superhero TV and movies can have on viewers, but little is known about the effects of race. This study sought to understand the messaging of superhero cartoons intended for viewership by children related to race. Through a content analysis of Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, and Batman Beyond, racial messages were explored in detail. Results showed most of these messages related to stereotypical physical appearance, language, and costuming of characters. The stereotypes present can affect the way children view themselves and others in regard to race. Therefore, this study shows the importance of portraying characters of color free of stereotypes.
Type
Department
Description
Provenance
Subjects
Citation
Permalink
Citation
Pucci, Francesco (2022). Who Saves the Day?: Racial Messaging in Superhero Cartoons. Honors thesis, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/24922.
Except where otherwise noted, student scholarship that was shared on DukeSpace after 2009 is made available to the public under a Creative Commons Attribution / Non-commercial / No derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) license. All rights in student work shared on DukeSpace before 2009 remain with the author and/or their designee, whose permission may be required for reuse.