PURPOSE: A panel of YAAAMS contributors was assembled for the purpose of analyzing various dimensions of Black characters and documenting the consistency with which the media presents negative stereotypes in relation to the mental and physical characteristics. .
In order to achieve this goal, the YAAAMS Panel developed the Character Analysis System (CAS) to evaluate Black speaking characters in movies and television shows. They also developed the Reality Analysis System version (RAS) of the system to analyze Blacks presented on talk shows, court shows, and all other reality shows. The RAS version omits the literary elements necessary to describe fictional characters.
BASELINE: Both systems quantify various facets of the character in order to yield a numeric score. This score correlates to a letter grade, which indicates the quality of the character. In order to accomplish this, CAS uses a Point Scale, a Grading Scale, Character Analysis Chart, and the Characteristics Code.
POINT SCALE: The point scale (figure 1.0) assigns specific numeric values to infractions that will be used to score characteristics listed in the character code. POSITIVE: Traits receive the highest point values as they do not contribute to negative stereotypes. GOOD: Traits are positive, but receive a slightly lower value because stereotypical traits are involved. NEUTRAL: Traits represent the characteristics that are neither positive nor negative or that are non-existent. BAD: Traits receive a negative value as they reflect negative or undesirable traits. NEGATIVE: Traits receive the lowest negative value on the scale and represent negative images with very stereotypical traits. SEVERE: Traits are negative with historical influence.
GRADING SCALE: The grading scale (figure 2.0) assigns a letter grade (A – F) in the character analysis chart. The grade is based on the total points accumulated through the point scale.
CHARACTERISTICS CODE: The YAAAMS panel has given much thought and consideration to which characteristics would be used and determining characteristic values. The panel chose many characteristics and placed them into 10 sub-categories: Mentality, Demeanor, Behavior, Economic Status, Physical Environment, Relationship Status, Family Status, Theatrical Significance, Character Interactions, and Character’s Growth. The Characteristics code (figure 3.0) lists characteristics and their value, which was determined by the YAAAMS panel based on its contribution to stereotypical traits. There are some characteristics that have a negative value in the CAS not because the panel believes it to be a negative human characteristic or circumstance, but because of how the portrayal contributes to stereotypes. For instance, there is nothing wrong with interracial dating. However, since the overuse of this stereotype contributes heavily to the negative perception of the Black family unit, it is rated very negatively.
CHARACTER ANALYSIS CHART: The Character Analysis Chart (figure 4.0) includes identifiers: Actor’s Name, Character’s Name/role, Movie or Television Show. The Character’s Concrete Physical Characteristics (CPC) will be included in the Character Analysis Chart. Concrete Physical Characteristics (CPC) is the first thing noticed about any character and certain physical characteristics are used to isolate a specific subset of the audience. CPC are those specific to an actor and are often instrumental in the casting of a particular character. CPC includes skin tone, body type, age, and gender. CPC does not have any numeric values nor does it affect the overall rating of the character. The data is documented for the purpose of tracking Black characters and determining the degree in which various physical characteristics are isolated and used to portray differences within the Black community. Three main categories, Personality Elements, Social Elements, Literally Elementswill include the 10 sub-categories and the total points accumulated in these categories, and displays the final point score and grade.
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