Stereotype and the Ethics of Representation

1. Stereotype and the Ethics of Representation David Steiling Ringling School of Art

2. Stereotype and Cliché Both terms from printing that refer to techniques that facilitate the speed and lower the cost of production through the use of pre-set images or phrases.

3. Comics and Stereotype “…the stereotype is a fact of life in the comics medium. It is an accursed necessity—a tool of communication that is an inescapable ingredient in most cartoons… Will Eisner—GraphicStorytelling

4. “In comics, stereotypes are drawn from commonly accepted physical characteristics associated with an occupation. These become icons and are used as part of the language in graphic storytelling. In film, there is plenty of time to develop a character…In comics there is little time or space. The image or caricature must settle the matter instantly.”

5. Stereotypes

7. Good and Bad Stereotypes For Eisner the question is not whether one should use stereotypes but rather how to distinguish between “good” and “bad” stereotypes.

9. Stereotypes Are not metonymies like most icons but are representations of idealized character types that are not based on observation, but on previous representations, which themselves were often based on previous representations. These chains of representation are often not refreshed with new observation. Over time these stereotypes tend to become widely accepted standards of reference.

10. African-American Images in the Comics: A Case Study Frederick Strömberg in his book BlackImages in the Comics provides numerous examples that illustrate how stereotype is actually used in the comics.

11. Stereotypical Images

22. None of these stereotypes tell us anything about black people. • These stereotypes tell us a lot about the long history of white supremacy as a governing assumption in cultural production.

23. Stereotypical representations are not really present in a narrative to enhance the readability of the narrative or to develop the characters; they are usually present to reassure the reader of the safety of their opinions and prejudices, whether this is known by the author or not.

24. Strategies of Representation to Avoid Stereotyping • Observation—forming a representation based on actual observation, representation that reflect individuality instead of stereotypicality. • Iconic metonymy—reducing the information from an observed representation into a caricature. • Retaining the same level of caricature through all the representations in the narrative.

25. Observation

26. Jack Kirby

28. Iconic Caricature

29. Jackie Ormes

32. Retaining the Same Level of Caricature

35. Some Other Considerations • The position of the creator in relation to the representations. • The centrality or marginality of the character in relation to the narrative. • Active vs. Passive qualities in the character represented. • Biases reflected in the visual composition and character poses within the images.

36. Using a set of conventions Funny Animal Convention

37. Superhero Conventions

38. Lego Convention

39. Amigurumi

44. Bigot: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially:  one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance

45. Gamergate Anita Sarkeesian Tropes vs. Women

46. Trope overused becomes cliché And eventually, stereotype

47. Dina Abou Karam

48. Jennifer Hepler Writer for Bioware

49. Carolyn Petit Game Reviewer Grand Theft Auto

50. Zoe Quinn #BurgersAndFries