Whiteness in Film

Ever since the advent of film, the screen has largely been dominated by Caucasian actors. Perhaps this is because early and even modern day film makers cater to the fact that the majority of the nation's population is white, which in turn will hopefully lead to more ticket sales. This has caused other films with actors of other ethnicities to be labled as "black" or whichever race the actors happen to be. Of course it is easier for a viewer to identify himself with the protaganist if he is of the same race, but the standard of whiteness in film, although it is on the decline since the early 20th century, has such a strong hold in the film industry that film makers almost expect every viewer to be able to relate to a caucasian actor as the standard. The trend over the last few decades in response to this is to include a token character of a different race in order to avoid the film being labeled racist, but this just confirms the notion that even film makers are aware of the white standard that is prevalent in film. Films have also created stereotypes for certain races that carried on until the end of the century. The essay listed examples such as Italian Americans who were labeled with the mobster or "Guido" stigma, and Irish Americans, who were often portrayed as unintelligent drunks. However, I believe that instead of race, economic status plays more of a role in determining what the standard for film is. Film companies target who they believe will be willing to spend the most moeney on film, and because Caucasians hold a lot of the wealth in the nation, film makers believe that they will be the most likely to buy tickets.