Gender and Race Representation Throughout Grey's Anatomy

          

          Grey's Anatomy has become one of the most watch television shows on television over the past ten seasons. The pure fact that this show has been able to continue making those ten seasons, and as far as we know will continue making more, is enough evidence to express the popularity of it. The amount of viewers has climbed dramatically over the past ten seasons and even through we all usually know what type of drama the episode will entail, we still continually come back for more. I can honestly say that there are not many shows that can make me laugh, cry, and get angry all in one episode, but Grey's Anatomy has definitely proven to be one of those shows for me. Although it is undeniable that Grey's Anatomy has many different characteristics and factors that consistently draw viewers back, one of the most studied topics of this television show is the representation of race and gender throughout. The show Grey's Anatomy has challenged the gender norms of women and men, as well as, the norms of race representation in society today.

          Grey's Anatomy undoubtedly expresses the representation of race in America with the overall idea that it is miniscule in comparison to the personal lives and capability of knowledge that each character possesses. One article stated that, “Shonda Rhimes (Creator of the show) said that she wanted Grey’s Anatomy to look like America, and she did quite well” ("Grey’s Anatomy vs. Scrubs*: Or the Limits of Representation"). With this being said, I can honestly say that I completely agree with this statement as a whole. It is evident through each individual episode every season that the creator wanted to make something that everyone can relate to on some level. Through our television criticism class, it was noted that this show was casted blindly, meaning that they did not per-determine what physical characteristics they wanted their characters to possess. They simply allowed anyone to try out for the parts, and regardless of race or gender they were then selected based solely on their personalities and talents. The cast varies from caucasian individuals to asians, hispanics, and african americans. There is without a doubt a wide variety of characters who are present in the series. James makes this relevant when she states, “that they are colorblind, diverse in a superficial way, with the characters’ races rarely informing their choices or conversations” (James, "Quoted: Shonda Rhimes on TV Diversity"). This quote makes it clear that regardless of race each character has a separate life and struggles, which is common to many of our own. Overall, while it is undeniable that this series takes on a hefty task of making the show appear have an equal ground for all races alike, some individuals feel that this could have a negative impact on the ways in which viewers see race in our society. One blog article stated that, “it could serve to perpetuate the false notion that racism no longer exists in our society” ("Race & Mixed Race in the Media"). While I personally feel that there will always be people viewing these ideas in a negative way, I think that Grey's Anatomy works to break down the normal barrier of race in our society, and expresses the intellectual intelligence, lifestyles, relationships, and their status' in the hospital regardless of race.

          While race is expressed in many different ways through the series the topic of gender is also very evident throughout the seasons. Grey's Anatomy allows the characters to step out of the normal gender boundaries and break common expectations created by our society. One of the major ways in which this series portrays this is by the simple assortment of doctors throughout the show. The portrayal of women as surgeons expresses these women as having a higher education and opportunity in their lives. This shows the capability of these women intellectually. In society women are normally expected and perceived as possessing more “soft” jobs such as stay at home mothers, teachers, and nurses. However, for these women, they have attained the status of a surgeon and most of them are just as skilled as the male surgeons, if not more skilled. This level of knowledge and skill portrays these women with a higher status and an equality to men while in the workplace.

          Aside from women being portrayed as equally knowledgeable, they also show a fraction of the female surgeons as mothers, while some of the other female's feel as through motherhood is not for them. The women who do have children are seen as almost “supermoms” and are expected to play a role as both a good mother and wife, without there obligations to family effecting their skills and time as a surgeon. While some characters seem to excel at this balancing, Meredith seems to struggle with her surgical skills after now having her second child. Other women such as Christina Yang has made the decision as a women to not have any children because her dedication is far more valuable to her. Christina feels that being a surgeon is enough for her in her life. Although women in society are often expected to conceive a child, the show makes Christina's decision appear to be acceptable and almost common in such a lifestyle. This expresses the choice which women have the right to make as to if they want to conceive a child. However, this sense of motherhood is common throughout as the women try to balance their lives between work and family.

          In each episode there is also the way in which the women physically present themselves, which differs from the norms of the expected presentation of women in society. In the majority of the episodes the women are dressed in scrubs, with no make up on, and their hair thrown up. They take little time to fix their appearance due to the dirtiness of their job, as well as, the lack of time they have to get themselves ready. They appear equal to the men because they are all wearing the same outfits, or uniforms, while at work. This concept of unisex uniform in the workplace represents women who can almost step out of the norms of gender expression through dress and appearance. Women are commonly expected in society to appear presentable and make the extra effort to be dressed up when seen in the public eye. This changes the ways that women are viewed in social settings simply because they are not viewed as objects who are supposed to put on a facade in order to appear more presentable. Grey's Anatomy allows not only women but men to appear, act, and say what they want without being judged based on their gender, or gendered expectations.

          Similarly in the topic of gender in television, there is the appearance of people who identify their sexuality as being homosexual or bi-sexual. Throughout the series there are characters who identify with being homosexual such as Callie (bi-sexual) and Arizona (homosexual). They are both women who are out and open about being in an intimate relationship together. Callie and Arizona ended up getting married and now have a child, which was conceived with a man who Callie had an affair with. This representation of sexuality throughout the series makes a strong statement about sexuality in our society. Grey's Anatomy tries to have diversity in terms of sexuality throughout the series to make the characters more relatable to the viewers. It expresses that idea that regardless of sexual preference all the surgeon posses similar lives. They all have successes, as well as, struggles throughout their lives at work, with friends, and with families. There is no discrepancy towards the characters who identify with a different sexuality than heterosexual. Gender identity and expression is evident throughout the series, and it makes a bold statement about the coming of acceptance of this topic in society, one that was once extremely taboo in society and television.

          Piccolo stated that, “While it may seem like these television shows are separate from real life, Grey’s Anatomy does well in capturing the essence of real life with its characters” (Piccolo, "Moving with the Times: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation in Grey's Anatomy"). It is clear that the creators of Grey's Anatomy have worked to sustain an idealistic view of gender and race in our society. With that being said, the realistic aspect of the characters lives allow viewers to connect emotionally to the characters. Grey's Anatomy expresses the topics of gender and race in media representation as being a positive attribute to a television series. The messages that it sends to the viewers gives them a sense of hope and belief that gender and race discrimination is nearing an end. Grey's Anatomy is not only diverse in the character selections but also in the many story lines that each character fulfills. Grey's Anatomy is a great show for anyone who is looking for something that is different all around, and can make you experience an array of different emotions in a short period of time.

Sources:"Grey’s Anatomy vs. Scrubs*: Or the Limits of Representation." Racialicious. N.p., 06 Oct. 2006. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://www.racialicious.com/2006/10/06/greys-anatomy-vs-scrubs-or-the-limits- of-representation/>.
James, Kendra. "Quoted: Shonda Rhimes on TV Diversity." Racialicious. N.p., 13 May 2013. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://www.racialicious.com/2013/05/13/quoted-shonda-rhimes-on-tv-diversity/>. Piccolo, Lisa. "Moving with the Times: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation in Grey's Anatomy." Greys Anatomy Analysis. N.p., 31 Mar. 2011. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <https://sites.google.com/a/m.marywood.edu/greys/>.
"Race & Mixed Race in the Media." : Grey’s Anatomy – Racially Progressive Television Drama. N.p., 09 Dec. 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://raceandmixedracemedia.blogspot.com/2010/12/greys- anatomy-racially-progressive.html>.