Hollyweird! An Examination of Generation Z's Assessment of Black Representation in Media

The main objective of this thesis was to answer this question: How does black representation in the media of the early two-thousands fit into the more extensive history of black representation, and how do young people perceive it today? My research methods were separated into three parts: the historical perspective, the initial survey, and the focus group. I sought to understand how African Americans were depicted in the film and television industry from the 20th century to modern times and how these depictions impacted a black viewer’s psyche. I conducted an initial survey in which I collected 32 ASU students’ emotional responses to their childhood media. Then, I compared these responses to historical accounts of black representation. Lastly, I conducted a focus group of eight participants who watched a modern film (The Woman King) and attended a film discussion. The focus group was meant to answer whether black viewers’ perceptions of black representation improved over time.