United States of Shondaland: Investigating the para-social contact of white audiences with Black Lives Matter A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts at University of Otago by Chloe Anne Banks University of Otago 2018 Abstract Race relations in the United States are an ongoing issue that is presented differently by different groups. The election of Barack Obama in 2008 fostered the myth of a post- racial nation, where racial inequalities no longer existed, and racism was seen as individualised, rather than structural and institutional. Television shows airing during this time reproduced this post-racial myth, especially television shows produced by Shonda Rhimes’ company, Shondaland. At this specific moment in time, in the US, the post-racial myth is being disrupted by activist groups, like Black Lives Matter [BLM]; while President Donald Trump and his followers try to keep the post-racial myth intact. This thesis investigates the connection between watching racially diverse television shows and empathy with groups outside the participant’s subject position, specifically, BLM. This thesis is driven by three research questions: Do non-stereotypical portrayals of African Americans prime white audience members to take a favourable view of race relations in general? How do viewers of Shondaland television shows interpellate the stories told in Shondaland into their interactions with people in their social world? Is there a correlation between watching Shondaland and having stronger endorsement for groups like BLM or other ‘minority’ issues? This thesis uses the concept of para-social contact to unpack the connection between the white audience who watch post-racial Shondaland shows and their empathy or support for movements like BLM versus the white audience of more white-centric television shows and their comparative views on the movement. Using audience research methods to explore white people’s television viewing, this thesis maps out how those who are more exposed to Black, post-racial, television characters are more inclined to support the BLM movement. This thesis found that those white participants who are not exposed to such representations are not as empathetic to the movement. By combining critical race theory and audience research methodology this thesis provides a unique examination of these questions. Keywords: post-race, para-social contact, Black Lives Matter, Shondaland, critical race theory, audience reception i Acknowledgments I must first thank my two supervisors Davinia and Hugh for all your support, encouragement and advice this past year in writing this thesis. All your book recommendations and grammar checks were both necessary and very appreciated. I would also like to thank my family for their continued support this last year. You are the best, and I’m so glad that you are always able to be there for me. Special mention to Nerilee who proof-read my entire thesis out of the goodness of her heart! Finally, I’d like to thank the amazing MFCO Department. The staff and students have been wonderful support/needed distractions from my own work. Special shout-out to my other marvellous MFCO master, Amie. First of all, you’ve been a great friend this year, and you always go above and beyond for everyone. It’s been great to be in such a supportive space, for what can be a sometimes-stressful time. I would also like to thank Holly, for her continued support for my professional development. I must also acknowledge my participants whom, without which, I would have no data to analyse, so thank you again for your time. ii iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................... I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................................................. II INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER ONE: POST-RACIAL TELEVISION SPACES ....................................................................................... 6 1.0 – INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 – TELEVISION: THE CULTURAL EDUCATOR .................................................................................................... 6 1.2 – AFRICAN-AMERICAN TELEVISION STORIES .................................................................................................. 7 1.3 – POST-RACIAL IDEOLOGY IN THE MEDIA ................................................................................................... 11 1.4 – SHONDALAND – A POST-RACIAL TELEVISION SPACE? ................................................................................... 13 1.5 – CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................... 17 CHAPTER TWO: RACE IN THE UNITED STATES ........................................................................................... 18 2.0 – INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 18 2.1 – PRE–OBAMA (PRE–2008) .................................................................................................................. 18 2.2 – POST-OBAMA (POST-2008) ................................................................................................................ 23 2.3 – CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................... 30 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY............................................................................................................. 31 3.0 – INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 31 3.1 – PARA-SOCIAL CONTACT ...................................................................................................................... 32 3.2 – LONG FORM INTERVIEWS AS METHOD .................................................................................................... 34 3.3 – RESEARCH QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................................ 36 3.4 – INTERVIEW SCHEDULE, DESIGN AND PROCESS ........................................................................................... 37 3.5 – RECRUITMENT .................................................................................................................................. 38 3.6 – INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE ....................................................................................................................... 38 3.7 – DATA ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................................. 39 CHAPTER FOUR: MAPPING TELEVISION CONSUMPTION ........................................................................... 42 4.0 – INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 42 4.1 – INTRODUCING THE PARTICIPANTS .......................................................................................................... 42 4.2 – SHONDALAND AS ENTRY POINT TO DIVERSE TELEVISION VIEWING .................................................................. 43 4.3 – NON-SHONDALAND DIVERSE TELEVISION VIEWING .................................................................................... 47 4.4 – WATCHING WHITENESS ...................................................................................................................... 51 4.5 – IDENTIFICATION WITH NON-WHITE CHARACTERS ....................................................................................... 54 4.6 – LEARNING THROUGH VIEWING .............................................................................................................. 57 CHAPTER FIVE: FRAMING CURRENT EVENTS AND SOCIAL ISSUES ............................................................. 59 5.0 – INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 59 5.1 – WATCHING AND READING THE NEWS ..................................................................................................... 59 5.2 – SOCIAL ISSUES OF SIGNIFICANCE ............................................................................................................ 63 5.3 – OVERPLAYED SOCIAL ISSUES ................................................................................................................. 68 5.4 – EMPATHY FOR GROUPS/PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF PARTICIPANTS’ SUBJECT POSITION ................................................ 71 5.5 – FRAMING OF CURRENT EVENTS ............................................................................................................. 75 CHAPTER SIX: TALKING ABOUT THE OTHER; BLACK LIVES MATTER AND RACE RELATIONS........................ 76 6.0 – INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 76 6.1 – “THE COMMUNITY” – HOW WHITE PARTICIPANTS TALK ABOUT RACE RELATIONS