Sources

Moi Lee

Gajjar’s article is posted on complex.com which is not a website or an online magazine, but “a call to social action.”  Complex is dedicated to exposing the true face of modern america and is devoted to defying conventions of the past by shifting the world’s attention to the movements within convergence culture.  They are trying to reshape the face of the mainstream and Saloni Gajjar’s article concerning the lack of South Asians, specifically Indians on American television is only fitting. Though Gajjar carefully illustrates the repetition of stereotypical Indians and lack of character development for Indians on television through citations of multiple shows, Gajjar also acknowledges that Hollywood is moving forward.

Sharon Bhatti’s piece is published on Open magazine, an originally Indian magazine that has gone global.  Open magazine strives to educate modern minds, aiming primarily to open the eyes of readers in Indian and beyond.  Bhatti’s article posted in 2015, “Indians on American TV,” eloquently depicts the transition of “the nerdy immigrant with a strange accent” Indian character to a witter, more powerful, and better developed character.  Bhatti notes multiple different characters in a variety of shows on television including Quantico, The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation, The Big Bang Theory, The Mindy Project and more.  Bhatti vas amount of sources clearly addresses complexities while still conveying her underlying message that a change is in transition, but much more needs to be done.

Holly Thomas 

Aziz Ansari’s article for the New York Times is a opinion piece that serves as a call to action, with phrases like “So if you’re a straight white guy, do the industry a solid and give minorities a second look.” However, rather than being in the opinion section, it’s in the television (lifestyle section), and the fact that Ansari backs up his thoughts with statistics adds evidence. Furthermore, as an Indian actor that has written, produced and directed he could easily be considered an expert in the field of Indian actors. It’s a valuable, well written piece — from an insider’s perspective — about the lack of and mis-representation of Indians in Hollywood and why it needs to change.

This is an article for Slant, which is an online publication that allows anyone to submit articles (that are then edited by a professional team). Much like the New York Times article, this aims to inform people of the mis representation of minorities on television and in movies, and call people to action. It’s backed up by studies (some from USC Annenberg), and when citing how Hollywood often gets it wrong, the claim is always backed up by an example from a television show or movie. It credits the shows that deal with minorities well (that is, letting their ethnicity be a factor of their character, not the whole basis of the character), such as Mindy in the Mindy Project and Christina from Grey’s Anatomy, while also calling representations that author Ashley Qiang finds insensitive. It’s valuable in identify why the current representation is insensitive and harmful, and establishes how it needs to change.

Anisha Mooradian

Mindy Kaling is one of The New York Times “Women of the World”. Brigit Katz has written an article about Kaling’s success on television. It does a great job in highlighting how Kaling was able to create “complex female characters” although she is not your typical Hollywood actress. It shows readers that it is possible to break barriers and become successful without losing sight of who you are. This article is valuable and credible because the information is coming from an interview with Mindy Kaling herself. She personally shares her experience.

Nina Rastogi discusses why there are suddenly more Indian characters with screentime in the article, “Beyond Apu”. This piece is valuable because it tracks specific South Asian, specifically Indian, characters dating back to the 80s. This source is credible because it relies on details and behaviors of characters and how it has changed overtime. Rastogi notes that Indians, specifically, are more likely to get roles over Pakistanis, Afghans, and other middle easterners. This brings a different perspective to an issue of diversity.

Haley McGinest

In The New York Times article, “What It’s Really Like to Work in Hollywood”, Melena Ryzik goes straight to the course. In order to obtain valuable information, she asks actors and actresses ,who come from diverse backgrounds, about their personal experiences working in Hollywood. Credible actors of Indian descent include Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra. This article truly highlights the points of view of stars who are from a minority.

Charles Riley says, “it’s a start” in CNN’s article, “Indian actors on American TV: It’s happening”. Riley provides detailed information about Ansari’s hit new series and what it took to finally get Indians as main characters on television. Riley sources Ansari’s essay in The New York Times and provides detailed information about ancestry and how the Indian characters on TV made it to where they are now. The article is credible due to the details.