To watch the Simpsons episode ‘Mypods and boomsticks’ to understand how the media deals with...
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Transcript of To watch the Simpsons episode ‘Mypods and boomsticks’ to understand how the media deals with...
OBJECTIVE:
To watch the Simpsons episode
‘Mypods and boomsticks’ to
understand how the media deals with
community cohesion and issues of racism.
OUTCOMES…Grade CAll – Will be able to describe how Muslims and other religions and races are portrayed in this episode.
Grade BMost – Will be able to explain, using examples, how this episode might promote community cohesion.
Grade A-A*Some – Will be able to evaluate, using examples, whether this episode might provoke racial tension.
Your GOALS for the end of
this lesson are…
Issues linked to community cohesion (racism, sexism etc...) are often used by the media to promote
understanding as well as presenting interesting storylines for viewers.
Can you think of any storylines (from soaps, films, dramas etc..) or examples (from songs,
the radio, documentaries etc...) that deal with
issues relating to community cohesion?Make a list in your
books...
Panorama – Hate on the doorstepFilm – American History XCasualty – woman wouldn't be treated by black doctorFilm – Four LionsStrictly come dancing – racist commentsBig Brother – racist commentsFilm – Malcolm XVicar of Dibley – Women priestsFilm – Guess Who? Hollyoaks- racist teacher
The media sometimes
tackles issues relating to community
cohesion in a humorous
way.
Think of ONE
positive and ONE
negative of presenting issues in
this way...
The media sometimes
tackles issues relating to community
cohesion in a serious way.
Think of ONE positive
and ONE negative of presenting
issues in this way...
Mypods and BoomsticksBart befriends a Muslim boy and invites him and
his parents to dinner, only for Homer's paranoia to get the better of him, but when Homer goes over
to their house to apologize, he sees the father with sticks of TNT and thinks he's going to blow up
Springfield Mall.
Watch the following episode of The
Simpsons...
Answer the questions on your sheet.Remember to include as much detail as
possible (ESPECIALLY EXAMPLES)...
Are women, religions and people from ethnic groups
represented fairly in this episode?
Focus particularly on how Muslims are portrayed (positive and negative)
How might this episode promote community cohesion?
Think about the message it gives – especially towards the end.
Do you think this episode could provoke racial tension?
Think about how it might influence people.
The questions…
Are women, religions and people from ethnic groups represented
fairly in this episode?Focus particularly on how Muslims are
portrayed (positive and negative)
Yes – There are different religions represented – e.g. Hindu-Apu, Buddhist-
Lisa, Christian-Flanders, Muslim-new family, Jewish-Krusty.
Yes – The new Muslim family are shown to be welcoming and neighbourly – e.g. Offer Bart dinner upon first meeting
him.No – It shows a stereotypical view of Muslims and Non-Muslims E.g. Homer
assuming they are terrorists.
How might this episode promote community cohesion?
Think about the message it gives – especially towards the end.
It shows that stereotypical views of Muslims are WRONG – E.g. Homer assumes they are terrorists
but there is an innocent explanation for everything.It shows that families of different religions can get along
and be friends – E.g- Bart and the Muslim boy become good friends as do both families in the end.
It highlights the cultural differences in a positive way – E.g. Bart has some food cooked by the Muslim
family and loves it.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations praised the episode and sent a commending letter to Mat
Groening. They wrote "I applaud your effort in Sunday's episode of
'The Simpsons' to humanise American Muslims by challenging anti-Muslim sentiment in our society. By
introducing a professional Muslim family, the 'Mypods and Boomsticks' episode highlighted the
diverse make-up of Springfield and brought to light how Americans can work toward mutual respect and
inclusion by getting to know their neighbours."
Do you think this episode could provoke racial tension?
Think about how it might influence people.
Yes – It highlights the differences between cultures and religions – E.g. Muslims don’t eat pork.
Yes – It highlights Islamic stereotypes – E.g. Linking Muslims to terrorist acts.
Yes – It makes Islamophobia look like something experienced by the majority – E.g. The bullies at
school, the men in the bar and Homer all had negative stereotypical views.
No – In the end it highlights how silly it is to hold these stereotypical views about Muslims – E.g.
Homer was wrong about them and everything had a simple explanation.
No – It shows that people who have stereotypical prejudice views like Homers can hurt and offend – E.g. The Muslim family get upset and hurt at the
meal by Homers comments.No – It showed the importance of getting to know
your neighbours and that we live in a multi-cultural, multi-faith society and that this is
something to be celebrated – E.g. The ending of this episode.
OUTCOMES…Grade CAll – Will be able to describe how Muslims and other religions and races are portrayed in this episode.
Grade BMost – Will be able to explain, using examples, how this episode might promote community cohesion.
Grade A-A*Some – Will be able to evaluate, using examples, whether this episode might provoke racial tension.
Did you achieve your GOALS?…