The media—whether television, film, news, or social platforms—has the power to shape how societies see different racial and ethnic groups. Unfortunately, it has often played a major role in reinforcing stereotypes that lead to misunderstanding, prejudice , and discrimination. From biased news coverage to typecast movie characters, the media’s portrayal of race influences public perception more deeply than most people realize. 1. Historical Roots of Racial Stereotyping in Media Since the early days of film and print, people of color have often been portrayed through limited and distorted lenses. Black characters were historically shown as subservient or criminal, Asian characters as mysterious or submissive, and Indigenous people as savages or spiritual figures. These portrayals weren’t harmless entertainment—they shaped generations of audiences to associate race with certain traits, attitudes, and roles. 2. News Media and Bias The news industry has long been criticized for raci...