BEHS 220 ASSIGNMENT 1

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1 Examining Representations of Diversity BEHS 220 6980 Auschelle Wynn Professor Bethany Heywood 2/27/24

2 One show on television I recall watching as a child was Family Matters. Family Matter is a 1989–1997 ABC sitcom that was developed by William Bickley and Michael Warren in the United States. The Winslow family, an African-American middle-class family residing in Chicago, Illinois, is the focus of the 215-episode, nine-season television program. The comedy in the show was great, and I enjoyed seeing the Winslow family deal with various mishaps—many of which are brought on by their annoying next-door neighbor, the extremely geeky Steve Urkel. Family Matters features a diverse cast. Most of the show's primary characters are African Americans or persons of color. Beyond race, diversity has many other dimensions. Diversity in gender is one element. The father was played by Carl Winslow. In this role, he plays the middle- aged, working-class police officer. Eddie and Laura Winslow were portrayed by Harriette Winslow as their wife and mother, respectively. Laura portrayed the astute and driven adolescent daughter, while Eddie portrayed a high school student and aspiring athlete. The geeky neighbor who becomes a valuable member of the Winslow family is portrayed by Steve Urkel. The humor of the show came from his love for Laura and his unique personality. The show also demonstrated diversity in terms of age, ability, body type, size, and professional choices. Ultimately, the diverse ensemble of "Family Matters" appeals to a broad range of viewers because of their blend of race, generation, gender, and occupation. Family Matters features characters with a variety of intersections, each of whom is privileged in a different way and faces difficulties. Race, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and other facets of identity are considered in intersectional frameworks (Kang, 2017). Steve Urkel, for instance, was called a nerd. His distinctiveness interacts with societal acceptance and race. His brilliance and creativity can be his advantage. He struggles with negotiating social standards, his unfulfilled love for Laura, the Winslow daughter, and being called a nerd. The

3 character of Steve Urkel is likewise stereotypical. His persona is a typical nerd with unique characteristics. Socially awkwardness is one of the traits. Steve Urkel is presented as intellectually gifted yet socially inept. Even with his brilliance, his conversations seem awkward and silly most of the time. His odd appearance and hoarse voice are further clichés. He has a strange laugh, big glasses, and a distinctive pair of suspenders. As a result, Urkel stands out in every scene in which he appears. The stereotype is influenced by each of these elements. People who fall victim to stereotypes lose their unique identities, and if we accept them, we may be projecting an inaccurate description of someone else. Laura, the sister character on the show, is a character I can identify with. The dynamics of the family are one of the reasons I can relate. My parents, an older brother, and I shared a home when I was growing up. In addition, as an African American adolescent girl, she has gone through the normal ups and downs of sibling rivalry as well as love and support. There is also Laura's school life, which I can identify to. She went to high school, engaged in extracurricular activities, and experienced pressure to perform well academically. I believe that your level of connection for a character on a television program determines whether you will appreciate the work or not. Different connections arise when you identify with a character in a television show. Of course, relatability may play a role. It enables you to imagine yourself in the role of the character. We can establish a stronger connection when we can see their emotions, achievements, and challenges. If you find a character unrelatable, it might nevertheless offer an opportunity to escape or a way out of our existence. Sometimes we lose ourselves in their made-up worlds, putting our troubles on hold. All things considered; I believe that Family Matter provided a forum for a variety of stories that question traditional social norms. In addition to depicting the Winslow family as a

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4 loving, hardworking, middle-class family that experiences a range of chances and problems in their life, it also sensitively and humorously addresses significant societal topics including bullying, peer pressure, racism, police brutality, and education.

5 Reference Kang, M., Lessard, D., & Heston, L. (2017). Intersectionality. Introduction to Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies. https://openbooks.library.umass.edu/introwgss/chapter/intersectionality OpenStax College (2020). Chapter 9.3 Navigating the Diversity Landscape. https://openstax.org/books/college-success/pages/9-3-navigating-the-diversity-landscape

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