Cultural Analysis: Race in Media

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, First aired in March of 2005 receiving three Emmy nominations was set in the Tipton Hotel in Boston focused on the lives of twins Zack and Cody, who live in the hotel. Additional characters on the show included the hotel's heiress, London Tipton,Mr. Mosby, the hotel manager, and Maddie, the candy counter girl. The show employs these additional characters to help break out from multiple racial stereotypes present in our society today.It does so by assigning an authoritative role to a black man, Mr. Mosby, thus going against preconceived notions of the inferiority of african americans. The show also contradicts the stereo types of dumb blonds and smart asians with Maddie and London's roles. 


 Mr. Mosby shows hard work and competence throughout the series often using complex vocabulary and taking part in sophisticated activities and hobbies. Diverting from ideas which developed from the Jim Crow/Sambo stereotypes of the late 1820's which depicted blacks as carefree, irresponsible, and quick to avoid work. Maddie another hotel employee is extremely hard working, coming from a middle-class family, and is also very intelligent. Her character serves to deconstruct the standard of a wealthy dumb blond which is omnipresent in our society today. Lastly London Tipton is depicted as a vapid and half-witted asian girl unable to conduct the simplest of tasks. 

While characterizing these roles with traits completely opposite to those seen in the stereotypes described may seem a over exaggerated and unnecessary it works perfectly due to being a children's show. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, is ultimately successful in dismantling many of the stereotypes surrrounding our culture today.