Brian Gerker
Media Portfolio Entry #1
10-4-07
The Office “Stanley, Of Course”
1.Representation of the Item:
Michael Scott(White Male), Stanley Hudson(African-American),
Media Portfolio Entry #1
10-4-07
The Office “Stanley, Of Course”
1.Representation of the Item:
Michael Scott(White Male), Stanley Hudson(African-American),
Oscar Martinez (Mexican)
To Transcript: http://www.twiztv.com/scripts/theoffice/season1/theoffice-105.htm
THE OFFICE: AN AMERICAN WORKPLACE1X05 - BASKETBALLOriginal Airdate (NBC): 19/APR/2005WRITTEN BY GREG DANIELSDIRECTED BY GREG DANIELSTRANSCRIBED BY NIKKI FOR "TWIZ TV.COM"
2. Intro and Why: “The Office,” a comedic television show, often relates to and describes problems the take place in the work place. The Media item I chose from this show is the transcript of the first season episode, “Basketball.” In this episode, members of “The Office” have been chosen by their boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carrell), to participate in a game of basketball during their lunch hour against the members of the warehouse at Dunder-Mifflin paper Company. In the show, and transcript provided, when Michael Scott is choosing the members of his team he first chooses Stanley Hudson, saying “Stanley of course.” When Stanley replies “Why ‘of course?’” Michael, realizing he has offended him says “I don’t remember saying that.” Also moments later, Oscar Martinez states “I can help out, if you need me.” Saying he could be part of the basketball team, but Michael replies “I will use your talents come baseball season, my friend. Or if we box.” (Nikki, Greg Daniels)
I chose this clip from “The Office” because it relates to racism in sports. It is a clear example of how people just assume people to be good at different sports simply because of their skin color. Michael seems to believe that African-Americans (Stanley), are good at basketball, and Mexicans (Oscar Martinez) are good at baseball and boxing, surly bringing about stereotypes.
3.Analysis: One item in class I think this relates to in particular is “Race: The Power of Illusion, Chapter 1.” In this film, after Jesse Owens broke the records at the Olympics in the 100 meter dash, people suspected he did so because he was biologically different. People also began to speculate that African-Americans had an extra muscle in their legs that made them faster, and able to jump higher. This is one reason why certain stereotypes have come about in today’s society. People even now seem to believe that African-Americans are better at some sports, like basketball and track, and that Mexicans are better at other sports like baseball and boxing, and other races are better at other sports, simply because of stereotypes of races. Michael Scott brought these stereotypes right out in the open in saying “Stanley of course,” for his basketball team. Also he brought them up by saying he will “. . . use [Oscar’s] talents come baseball season. . . ” There are also some elements of power and privilege in this example. Michael, seeing himself as boss, simply shrugs off any attempt of controversy from his employees. When Stanley replies “Why ‘of course?’” Michael, using his boss status, just says “I don’t remember saying that.” This can relate to Ronald Takaki’s “The Tempest in the Wilderness.” In this, Takaki brings about how whites used their power over the Native-Americans and blacks, which is essentially what Michael does to Stanley. Michael uses his power to hush Stanley, just as the whites used their power to take the natives land and enslave blacks. From this clip from “The Office,” we can see a couple ways in how comments from a boss in the workplace can offend employees and relate to stereotypes and privilege of power.
4. Response: Personally, I believe that this issue is very important. It is important to recognize differences of people in the work place, but not stereotype them or exploit them, as done by Michael. Certain environments like “The Office” should be racial stereotype free. However, these issues do exist in society, which makes it that much more important to discuss them, in hopes of changing them. In the work place, people of color should not have to worry about being offended or placed aside as a different person.
To Transcript: http://www.twiztv.com/scripts/theoffice/season1/theoffice-105.htm
THE OFFICE: AN AMERICAN WORKPLACE1X05 - BASKETBALLOriginal Airdate (NBC): 19/APR/2005WRITTEN BY GREG DANIELSDIRECTED BY GREG DANIELSTRANSCRIBED BY NIKKI FOR "TWIZ TV.COM"
2. Intro and Why: “The Office,” a comedic television show, often relates to and describes problems the take place in the work place. The Media item I chose from this show is the transcript of the first season episode, “Basketball.” In this episode, members of “The Office” have been chosen by their boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carrell), to participate in a game of basketball during their lunch hour against the members of the warehouse at Dunder-Mifflin paper Company. In the show, and transcript provided, when Michael Scott is choosing the members of his team he first chooses Stanley Hudson, saying “Stanley of course.” When Stanley replies “Why ‘of course?’” Michael, realizing he has offended him says “I don’t remember saying that.” Also moments later, Oscar Martinez states “I can help out, if you need me.” Saying he could be part of the basketball team, but Michael replies “I will use your talents come baseball season, my friend. Or if we box.” (Nikki, Greg Daniels)
I chose this clip from “The Office” because it relates to racism in sports. It is a clear example of how people just assume people to be good at different sports simply because of their skin color. Michael seems to believe that African-Americans (Stanley), are good at basketball, and Mexicans (Oscar Martinez) are good at baseball and boxing, surly bringing about stereotypes.
3.Analysis: One item in class I think this relates to in particular is “Race: The Power of Illusion, Chapter 1.” In this film, after Jesse Owens broke the records at the Olympics in the 100 meter dash, people suspected he did so because he was biologically different. People also began to speculate that African-Americans had an extra muscle in their legs that made them faster, and able to jump higher. This is one reason why certain stereotypes have come about in today’s society. People even now seem to believe that African-Americans are better at some sports, like basketball and track, and that Mexicans are better at other sports like baseball and boxing, and other races are better at other sports, simply because of stereotypes of races. Michael Scott brought these stereotypes right out in the open in saying “Stanley of course,” for his basketball team. Also he brought them up by saying he will “. . . use [Oscar’s] talents come baseball season. . . ” There are also some elements of power and privilege in this example. Michael, seeing himself as boss, simply shrugs off any attempt of controversy from his employees. When Stanley replies “Why ‘of course?’” Michael, using his boss status, just says “I don’t remember saying that.” This can relate to Ronald Takaki’s “The Tempest in the Wilderness.” In this, Takaki brings about how whites used their power over the Native-Americans and blacks, which is essentially what Michael does to Stanley. Michael uses his power to hush Stanley, just as the whites used their power to take the natives land and enslave blacks. From this clip from “The Office,” we can see a couple ways in how comments from a boss in the workplace can offend employees and relate to stereotypes and privilege of power.
4. Response: Personally, I believe that this issue is very important. It is important to recognize differences of people in the work place, but not stereotype them or exploit them, as done by Michael. Certain environments like “The Office” should be racial stereotype free. However, these issues do exist in society, which makes it that much more important to discuss them, in hopes of changing them. In the work place, people of color should not have to worry about being offended or placed aside as a different person.
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