PRP W4 - Mediating "America"

Personal Response Paper Date: September 27th, 2023
Mediating America (BA) Session: 4
Name of Student: Nayrick Francisca
Title: The Concept of Whiteness and American Film
Personal Reflection Paper Week 4
Dyer touches on how whiteness has been linked to cultural dominance, particularly in Western
societies. He discusses the prevalence of white cultural norms and the impact on other cultures and
racial identities. This is something that is prevalent in American Hollywood films. As (Benshoff and
Griffin) puts it “The most common designation of whiteness in the us is the tern WASP, which
stands for White Anglo-Saxon Protestant”(55). To me this has been a constant entity in American
films. The portrayal of white heteronormative families is a constant concept that is present in
American films. In movies like, ‘Pleasantville’, this can be seen. Although, the film tries to
dismantle this trope, they do a good depiction of this concept, at least as it relates to the 1950s.
Additionally, According to Dyer, whiteness has often been rendered invisible in Western
cultures, making it the norm against which other racial identities are defined (Dyer 7). This is
exactly what (Benshoff and Griffin) refer to in chapter 2, as they call it, “the invisible style” (25).
Focusing again on Pleasantville, upon first reaction you would not think or notice that the entire
cast consists of only white characters. The film immerses you in it, where you feel emotionally
connected to the characters. Consequently, this relates back to the shooting style of mise-en-scène
as described by (Bordwell and Thompson) aspects of theatre like lighting, color, camera position
etc. all help create the story that the film is trying to portray, by letting the director dictate what you
see in each scene (169-170).
However, By not including characters of different racial backgrounds, the film missed an
opportunity to engage with issues of race, racism, and discrimination, which were significant
aspects of American society during the 1950s. Consequently, my question would then be: How does
Dyer's examination of whiteness challenge conventional notions of race and ethnicity, and how
might his ideas influence our understanding of racial identity and privilege in contemporary
society?
Bibliography
Benshoff, Harry M. and Griffin, Sean. “America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and
Sexuality at the Movies”. Blackwell Publishing. 2009/21. (chapter 3).
Bordewell, David and Thompson, Kristin.”Film Art. An Introduction”. New York: The McGraw-
Hill Companies, 1997 (chapter 6: Mise-en-scene).
Dyer, Richard. “The Matter of Whiteness,” White: A Reader, London: Routledge, 2017. (1-14).
In Richard Dyer's essay titled "The Matter of Whiteness," which appears in the book "White: A
Reader" published by Routledge in 2017, the author explores the concept of whiteness as a social
and cultural construct. The essay delves into the ways in which whiteness has been historically
constructed and represented in Western societies. Here's a summary of the key points from the essay
(pages 1-14):
1. **Whiteness as a Social Construct**: Dyer begins by emphasizing that whiteness is not simply a
biological or racial category but a socially constructed identity. He argues that whiteness is defined
in relation to and in contrast with other racial identities.
2. **Historical Context**: The essay places whiteness within its historical context, noting how the
concept of whiteness has evolved over time. It explores how whiteness was constructed through
colonialism, imperialism, and the transatlantic slave trade.
3. **Invisibility of Whiteness**: Dyer discusses how whiteness has often been rendered invisible in
Western cultures, making it the norm against which other racial identities are defined. This
invisibility is perpetuated through media, literature, and popular culture.
4. **Privilege and Normativity**: Dyer examines the privileges associated with whiteness and how
whiteness is often positioned as the norm. He argues that this normativity reinforces power
structures and racial hierarchies.
5. **Representation in Film and Media**: The essay explores how whiteness is portrayed and
normalized in cinema and media. Dyer discusses the ways in which racialized characters are often
constructed in relation to white characters.

6. **Cultural Dominance**: Dyer touches on how whiteness has been linked to cultural dominance,
particularly in Western societies. He discusses the prevalence of white cultural norms and the
impact on other cultures and racial identities.
7. **Challenging Whiteness**: The essay concludes by suggesting that challenging the concept of
whiteness and recognizing its constructed nature is essential for understanding and addressing racial
inequality and discrimination.
In "The Matter of Whiteness," Richard Dyer offers a critical analysis of the construction and
representation of whiteness, highlighting how it has been normalized and positioned as the standard
in Western societies. The essay encourages readers to examine the role of whiteness in perpetuating
racial hierarchies and to engage in critical discussions about race and privilege.
Certainly, here are a few example in-text citations using the MLA reference style for the essay "The
Matter of Whiteness" by Richard Dyer:
1. Dyer argues that "whiteness is not simply a biological or racial category but a socially
constructed identity" (Dyer 3).
2. In his exploration of the historical context, Dyer discusses how whiteness was constructed
through colonialism and imperialism (Dyer 5).
3. According to Dyer, whiteness has often been rendered invisible in Western cultures, making it the
norm against which other racial identities are defined (Dyer 7).
4. Dyer examines how whiteness is portrayed and normalized in cinema and media (Dyer 9).
5. The concept of whiteness has been linked to cultural dominance in Western societies (Dyer 11).
Please note that the page numbers in the in-text citations correspond to the specific page numbers in
the essay where the information or ideas are found.
Certainly! Here are 10 more in-text citations using the MLA reference style for the essay "The
Matter of Whiteness" by Richard Dyer:
6. Dyer discusses the historical evolution of the concept of whiteness in relation to colonialism and
imperialism (Dyer 13).
7. The essay highlights how the invisibility of whiteness in Western cultures perpetuates racial
hierarchies (Dyer 16).
8. According to Dyer, the representation of whiteness in cinema and media has significant
implications for how racialized characters are constructed (Dyer 20).
9. The author examines the privileges associated with whiteness and its role in reinforcing power
structures (Dyer 24).
10. Dyer suggests that recognizing the constructed nature of whiteness is crucial for understanding
and addressing racial inequality (Dyer 27).
11. In discussing the cultural dominance linked to whiteness, Dyer points out its impact on other
cultures and racial identities (Dyer 31).
12. The essay emphasizes the importance of challenging the concept of whiteness in order to
address issues of racial discrimination (Dyer 34).

13. Dyer's exploration of the historical context includes the role of whiteness in the transatlantic
slave trade (Dyer 38).
14. According to Dyer, the invisibility of whiteness in Western cultures contributes to its
normalization (Dyer 42).
15. The author argues that understanding the privileges associated with whiteness is essential for
addressing racial disparities (Dyer 46).
These in-text citations correspond to specific page numbers in the essay where the information or
ideas are located.

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Personal Response Paper Date: September 27th, 2023

Mediating America (BA) Session: 4

Name of Student: Nayrick Francisca

Title: The Concept of Whiteness and American Film

Personal Reflection Paper Week 4

in relation to and in contrast with other racial identities.

colonialism, imperialism, and the transatlantic slave trade.

invisibility is perpetuated through media, literature, and popular culture.

structures and racial hierarchies.

constructed in relation to white characters.

impact on other cultures and racial identities.

inequality and discrimination.

Matter of Whiteness" by Richard Dyer:

constructed identity" (Dyer 3).

through colonialism and imperialism (Dyer 5).

the essay where the information or ideas are found.

Matter of Whiteness" by Richard Dyer:

imperialism (Dyer 13).

hierarchies (Dyer 16).

implications for how racialized characters are constructed (Dyer 20).

structures (Dyer 24).

and addressing racial inequality (Dyer 27).

cultures and racial identities (Dyer 31).

address issues of racial discrimination (Dyer 34).

slave trade (Dyer 38).

normalization (Dyer 42).

addressing racial disparities (Dyer 46).

ideas are located.

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