Date Approved

2014

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department or School

English Language and Literature

Committee Member

Amanda Allen

Committee Member

Ramona Caponegro

Abstract

The 2000 U.S. Census is the first in which a person could mark more than one racial identification box. Acknowledging this identity marks progress by recognizing an underserved population, but the media lags behind in the representation of Multiracial people in texts. My analysis of contemporary media examples (1) has the capacity to initiate conversations about the bigger social implication of race and diversity in the media; (2) sheds light on the rarity of Multiracial characters and the ways in which Multiracial characters are depicted; (3) suggests that greater access to Multiracial characters is granted to older audiences; (4) recognizes that hegemonic media studios control what media gets produced. This work is essential in continuing to give a voice to underserved characters since little can be done to induce change and increase production of texts that showcase Multiracial characters if few even question or acknowledge that such a lack exists.

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