Media Adaptations and Misrepresentations

            In “Cosmopolitanism, Remediation, and the Ghost World of Bollywood”, David Novak discusses the many ways in which globalization and cultural representation have been successful and the cause of misrepresentations and misunderstandings (2010). He problematizes the use of Bollywood song and dance in western medias and the reasons why it works or doesn't work (2010). Much of the media we see today, especially on YouTube, where authorship is not restricted to those with some form of recognized authority on subjects, is offensive to at least some viewers. However if the author is part of a minority group the usual reaction is less intense due to the complexities involved with the power relations between the two (or more) groups represented.

            Many of the YouTube videos that "go viral" are considered offensive to some people, much of the time an accepted amount of un-politically correctness is allowed by popular opinion. However, in the case of the "Bed Intruder" in which a news report was adapted to a kind of music video has been considered by many to be unacceptable mainly due to the unequal economic and power relations and stereotypes in its portrayal of a minority group. It is a perfect example of the way in which we, "sublimate basic ignorance and racism in complacent consumption" especially regarding forms of parody (Novak 2010:47). On the other hand, there are many examples of acceptable appropriation, of medias like in regards to Australia's aboriginal radio (Fisher 2009). Country music has been appropriated and changed to fit the needs of the Aboriginal community (Fisher 2009). The basic underlying reasons that determine whether or not an adaptation is accepted is defined by the power relations and historical relations of those involved.

            Stemming from a news report by Elizabeth Gentle about an attempted rape of a woman in "the projects" of Huntsville Alabama. The woman, Kelly Dodson had a man break into her room and accost her. With the help of her brother they fought off the attacker. The actual news report is definitely no laughing matter considering the severity of the crime that could have come to pass. Dodson's heated reaction to the scenario, "He’s climbing in your windows, he’s snatching your people up, trying to rape them, so you need to hide your kids, hide your wife and hide your husband, because they’re raping everybody out here ” has been appropriated and remade in various YouTube video adaptions. One of which has been especially viewed and has incited many reactions. Many viewers consider the remake to be playing on stereotypes of African Americans, as well as, controversial in regards to the representations of poorer communities (Novak 2010).

            On the other hand in Australia Aboriginally run radio stations often adapt country western music and change the lyrics or slightly alter the music to fit their needs (Fisher 2009). This music has been adopted largely due to the themes of loss, longing, travel and separation in country music and its connection with modern day Aboriginal life styles (Fisher 2009). Aboriginal Australians are often dispersed far from family and kin and thus the music suits their needs (Fisher 2009). Both of these adaptions of media could be criticized for their misrepresentations of the original in question. Due to the serious nature of the "possible rape" and the portrayal of a minority group, the unequal power relations cause the "Bed Intruder" YouTube to be largely considered unacceptable by many people. 

 

Links:

Actual News Clip:

http://wn.com/WAFF_%28TV%29

Bed Intruder Remake:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMtZfW2z9dw

Bibliography

Fisher, Daniel

2009. Mediating Kinship: Country, Family, and Radio in Northern Australia. Cultural Anthropology 24(2): 270-312. American Anthropological Association.

Novak, David

2010. Cosmopolitanism, Remediation, and the Ghost World of Bollywood. Cultural Anthropology. American Anthropoogical Association. 25(1): 40-72.