Media representation has always had a hand in shaping the public’s view and attitude of what is being portrayed. It is partially responsible in the process of constructing who minorities are and how they should act. In the media, promoting racial stereotypes only helps justify and perpetuate racial misrepresentations in the real world. Representation in the media means that America sees who the minorities really are instead of taking the stereotypes at face value. Representation can destigmatize the negative beliefs around minorities and help further equality.
Contrary to popular belief, the fight for representation in media isn’t a new thing. We can see changes in media portrayal in popular novels from the nineteenth century, like Moby Dick. Throughout the novel we can see animalistic and demeaning illustrations and terms used to describe the non-white characters. The use of these dehumanizing terms gives us a glimpse into the cultural biases of the time. There are many connections to the idea that these non-white crew members are foreign, mysterious, and savage. But even with the many faults in the description and presentation of the non-white characters, the novel’s diverse cast and and interracial relationships demonstrates how Melville is surprisingly progressive for a man of his time.
Although Melville’s is attempting to gradually show the similarities between the non-white character and white characters, he may come across as attempting to do the opposite. Melville using negative terms and misrepresentations could have shaped the belief that these stereotypes are true and should be held. To give a clear example, Melville states, “Daggoo, a gigantic, coal-black negro-savage, with a lion-like tread…Daggoo retained all his barbaric virtues, and erect as a giraffe, moved about the decks. (Melville, 100-101).
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Melville comparing Daggoo to large (and often dangerous) animals can be considered derogatory, dehumanizing, and frightening. The public may interpret this portrayal as true and potentially fear individuals who are similar to Dagoo. In addition to demeaning and dehumanizing terms, Melville also sets up a “power-structure”. Melville does this by assigning all the white characters as mates and all of the non-white characters as the mates harpooners. By doing this, Melville is dividing the crew by race and gives the white characters the upper hand. Exposure to these negative portrayals has consequences. Unfavorable media representation, like those in Moby Dick, can sustain these harmful stereotypes.
But even with these negative portrayals and stereotypical descriptions, we can see Melville attempting to blur the line between “Us and Them”. To give a clear example, Iustin SF RIAC states, “Critics have agreed upon the fact that Melville, though occasionally expressing culturally ingrained racial stereotyping, created in Moby-Dick a radically anti racist text.” (SF RIAC, 1). SF RIAC is pointing out that although Melville can be insensitive when it comes to the description of the characters of color, he is still pushing for racial tolerance. To support this claim, Melville states, “What’s all this fuss I have been making about, thought I to myself-the man’s a human being just as I am: he has just as much reason to fear me, as I have to be afraid of him.”(Melville, 33)
This passage shows the humanization of a once thought of “cannibal”. This is a pivotal moment where Ishmael realizes that you cannot judge a man for his race, and that the common humanity outweighs the difference in race. Ishmael recognizing that there is no real difference between Queequeg and him is Melville pushing for equality and friendships between minorities and white people. To further my point, Melville states, “Queequeg!– Queequeg!–all still. Something must have happened. Apoplexy! I tried to burst open the door; but it stubbornly resisted.” (Melville, 75).
This passage shows how strong the bond between Ishmael and Queequeg has become. After believing that Queequeg has committed suicide, Ishmael does everything in his power to ensure that his friend has not done the unthinkable. Yet again the standard of prejudice and racism typical of the time has been challenged. In addition to challenging prejudice and racism, Melville is demonstrating that there is a possibility for friendships between minorities and white people to exist and thrive. Melville presenting this friendship is very significant. Destigmatizing the differences between Ismael and Queequeg allows readers to understand the value and possibilities of friendships between white and minority despite the negative and dehumanizing descriptions.
Melville providing these ideas of friendship and respect for one another showed a desire to integrate these ideals into a society that lacked them. In addition to integration, Melville is pushing for justice and equality for minorities that have had a great deal of injustice thrown at them simply because of their appearance. He does this by showing and educating readers about how mutual love and respect can change our perspectives. To give a clear example, Melville states, “Yet see how elastic our stiff prejudices grow when love once comes to bend them.”(Melville, 54). Melville is showing the reader how love can change our beliefs for the better, and keeping an open mind can lead to love filled friendships like Ishmael and Queequeg’s.
To further support this claim, Halverson states, “The process of individuation reaches beyond the individual in its effects, for it raises and strengthens the sense of common humanity, the sense of human brotherhood. If men can be educated…it may be hoped that they will also learn to understand and love their fellow men better. A little less hypocrisy and a little more self-acknowledgement can only have good results for our neighbor.” (Halverson, 2-3). Halverson is attempting to express the idea that education and individuation can help our society become more self aware of our actions against minorities and in turn become closer with people who do not share the same background as us.
Melville does exactly this by making Ishmael realize that he was in the wrong for judging and fearing Queequeg during their first encounter at the spouter in and creating a strong bond between them. SF RIAC states the importance of educating readers on racial tolerance, he states, “Ishmael’s discourse often undercuts certain aspects of the myth of white supremacy; it claims that values may also be found outside western culture and that society’s very survival may ultimately depend on how well the lesson of tolerance and fellowship has been learned.”(SF RIAC, 1). Without educating readers on how essential it is to accept these ideas and values, society as we know it is in grave danger. Becoming more tolerant and accepting is an important message spread throughout Melville’s novel.
In conclusion, the representation and presentation of the characters of color in the book was not only relevant during the time that the novel was published but also in today’s day and age. Media portrayals of characters of color in novels like Moby Dick has a deep and everlasting impact on not only readers but on society as a whole. Throughout the novel we can see animalistic and demeaning illustrations and terms used to describe the non-white characters. The use of these dehumanizing terms gives us a glimpse into the cultural biases of the time.
There are many connections to the idea that these non-white crew members are foreign, mysterious, and savage. But even with the many faults in the description and presentation of the non-white characters, the novel’s diverse cast and and interracial relationships demonstrates how Melville is surprisingly progressive for a man of his time. Melville has had a great influence on our society today by expressing and discussing themes and ideas that can be considered acceptable today, but considered wrong and unattainable during the era that the novel was published.
