Kimberly Foster

2-2-2015
COMM 1050
Reel Paper
The Muted Group Theory Chapter 28 AKA, White Chicks
There are many particular theories, but one that catches my mind is
the muted group theory. (Ardener) The muted group theory is a critical
theory because it concerned with power and how it is used against people.
While critical theories can separate the powerful and the powerless any
number of ways, this theory chooses to bifurcate the power spectrum into
men and women. The movie, White Chicks directed by Keenen Ivory
Wayans, happens to be a great example of this specific theory or idea.
One main example of the Muted Group Theory in the movie White
Chicks, is race related. The movie first begins with a drug dealer selling
some drugs in the disguise of ice cream. The receivers, Marcus and Kevin,
are secret FBI agents whom are impersonating a stereotypical Mexicans. The
dealers treat them with some sort of respect until their costumes were taken
off, and they were in reality two black men. Black men can often be muted
(just like in this movie) because of their native origin. As despairing as this is,
racism is a perfect case of the muted group theory.

There are more examples of the Muted Group Theory in the movie
White Chicks. But there is one particular example that I have noticed. It is
the way women are often ignored by men and the overall economy. Women
have a different language than men, and it seems to be weak or not
strong enough to make a point. For a female to force or make a statement,
they often have to speak in the mens language and have it repeated by a
male figure to the world. Relating that to White Chicks, I found a similar
example in this movie, and that is how the wife of one of the main
characters, Marcus, is completely ignored throughout the entire movie. Either
Marcus is too busy stressing about his job or he is more focused on hanging
out with his friend Kevin. His wife changes her hair, makes fancy dinners,
preps up for him, etc. and yet he still pays no matter of attention to her or
her actions.
Later Marcus and his friend, Kevin, get themselves in an FBI case
where they have to impersonate the two Wilson sisters. These two men,
living in the sisters shoes soon seem to learn the Women Language.
Marcus then realizes all of the small things that his wife has been doing for
him or to impress him. To make things up to her, he attempts to apologize in
the Women Language and tries to show that he really does care.
The last main thing that I have noticed in this specific movie that
relates to the muted group theory is the disrespect and the way men will
treat and see women as less. When the boys were dressed as girls, they
began to notice the attraction they set off to all of the men. They get

whistled at, hit on, and much more. They start to notice the respect they get
when they are supposedly wealthy women. They also noticed the instant
disrespect they receive if they order more food than an average women,
doesnt exercise, or look pretty and slim.
The Muted Group Theory in this case can often seem very
stereotypical, and that is very true, especially in this particular chick flick or
movie. Overall, this film was a great example of what I was looking for, and I
strongly recommend it to Communication 1050 students who are wanting to
study the Muted Group Theory.

Works Cited.

1. White Chicks. Dir. Keenen Ivory Wayans. Perf. Marlon Wayans,

Shawn Wayans. Revolution Studios, 2004, Movie/Film.
2. Ardener, E. Muted Group Theory. Muted Group Theory. 2011 Web.
http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/theory/mutedgrp.html
3. West, Richard L., and Lynn H. Turner. Introduction Communication
Theory: Analysis and Application. 4th Ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2010.
Print.