A FOREIGN STUDENT IN PHILADELPHIA

Mauricio Gerson attended the Annenberg School of Communications and Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He received his Master’s Degree at Penn where he also met Albert Rose, his television teacher who was also the head of programming for NJN – New Jersey Public Television. Professor Rose invited him to work as a volunteer in a documentary titled: “Atlantic City: The Queen Takes a Chance” after the State passed a referendum to allow Casinos in the beach resort set on the atlantic coast of New Jersey. The first casino Resorts International  opened its doors for business on May 26, 1978. His Master’s thesis was titled: “Minority Representation in Network Television Drama, 1970-1976.”

Minority Representation in Network Television Drama, 1970-1976. Gerson Mauricio Mass Communication Review 1980 7.3 pp10-12

The study referenced—Gerson, Mauricio. Mass Communication Review 1980, 7(3), pp. 10–12—analyzes the representation of minority characters in U.S. network television drama over the period 1970–1976. The analysis draws extensively on content monitoring conducted at the Annenberg School of Communications and related surveys, highlighting patterns of underrepresentation and role stereotyping.

Key Findings:

• Overall Underrepresentation:
  • Black and Hispanic characters were consistently underrepresented on network television relative to their share of the U.S. population.
  • Minorities occupied predominantly secondary or minor roles, rarely obtaining major or leading parts.
• Representation Index:
  • The study utilized a Representation Index, calculated as the percentage of a given demographic represented on TV divided by its percentage in the U.S. population, multiplied by 100.
  • While white characters, especially males, were overrepresented relative to population figures, nonwhite characters were markedly underrepresented. For example, male overrepresentation compared to real population share reached 149%, while female and minority characters were below 100%.
• Role Restrictions and Stereotyping:
  • Nonwhite characters, especially Blacks and Hispanics, were confined to narrow occupational roles and often portrayed as less powerful or peripheral in narrative importance.
  • Minorities were less likely to occupy professional or leadership positions on screen, with nonwhite female leads particularly rare—generally accounting for only 1–4% of prime-time characters.
• Trends Over Time (1970–1976):
  • A modest increase in minority representation occurred over the period, particularly among Black characters from 1971 onward.
  • Hispanic and Asian characters became slightly more visible in the early to mid-1970s but remained significantly underrepresented.
  • In weekend daytime programming, the disparities were often more extreme than in prime time, sometimes exaggerating inequities through skewed ratio of major to minor characters.
• Children’s Programming and Media Socialization:
  • Children’s television (8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) amplified disparities, exposing young viewers to both underrepresentation and role-typecasting of minorities.
  • Early exposure to these symbolic patterns contributed to socialization processes shaping viewers’ perceptions of gender, race, and social power.
• Intersection with Gender:
  • Minority female characters were doubly disadvantaged—both underrepresented as women and as part of racial minority groups.
  • Leading roles for nonwhite females were rare, and these characters often portrayed stereotyped or victimized personas.

Conclusion:

The period 1970–1976 on U.S. network television drama was characterized by systemic underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities. Black and Hispanic characters were largely confined to minor roles, and nonwhite females were particularly marginalized. Overall, the study illustrates structural inequities in casting, role assignment, and narrative prominence that contributed to a media landscape reinforcing population power imbalances and gendered/racial stereotyping.

Reference:

Gerson, Mauricio. Minority Representation in Network Television Drama, 1970–1976. Mass Communication Review, 1980, 7(3), 10–12.

Additional detailed analyses can be found in related works cited in the study, including Signorielli & Gerbner (1978, 1979) and U.S. Commission on Civil Rights reports on Window Dressing on the Set.