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Jennifer Isaias

Professor Lawson

English 113B

12, May 2017

Project Text: Argument Proposal

Word count: 700

Greys Anatomy: Racial Diversity

1. How does the TV series Greys Anatomy portray its characters in a racially diverse way? How

exactly have they managed to incorporate a diverse cast throughout the 12 seasons? This topic

on racial diversity appeals to me due to the controversial ideas in Hollywood roles. The TV

series has gone through many seasons of popularity and continues to get hype. I would like to

point out whether its popularity has anything to do with the diversity or the drama within the

story lines of the show. I would also like to include some specific details within episodes of

racial prejudice being acknowledged and used as a life lesson for its viewers. I plan on further

analyzing the television series by comparing it another television series known for being 100

percent diverse.

2. Moreover, this incident reveals the ways that racialized and gendered assumptions come into

play in what is presumably a color-blind casting process (Long). It has been revealed that the

way Greys Anatomy has become racially diverse is due to the way the creator decided to write

the script. By not writing in specific races, it has allowed many actors of different races to

audition for roles any role they may fit into. Typically, when a script is written, the writer has a

vision of how each character can be portrayed and with specific looks in mind. Like the character

Miranda Bailey, originally was envisioned as a small Caucasian woman, but the role ended up
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being taken by a small African American woman instead. Even though specific races for each

character were not written in, the writer always has some type of vision in mind. This method has

been very beneficial towards Greys Anatomy; it may benefit other series in ratings and offer

more opportunities for diverse actors.

3. Greys Anatomys lead star Ellen Pompeo earns a reported $350,00 per episode, meaning she

makes $8.4 million each season, and while each season is in production, she makes a million a

month (Clarendon). By latest reports, Chandra makes an estimated $125,000 per episode,

though we can imagine she and other originals below are earning more these days, she raked in

cash for some Folgers coffee commercials in 2007 (Clarendon). This source views the topic of

racial diversity from a different angle. It views the pay of various cast members from the TV

series Greys Anatomy. It is understandable how a lead role in a series can allow you to make

more money than other cast members, but viewing each wage pay and racial diversity side by

side, some may be underpaid in comparison. By analyzing its diversity and pay, it can be

determined whether the wage gap correlates to its racial diversity.

4. Within the important claim, something that may be considered problematic would probably be

that the reason why this show is considered color blind is either to appeal to minorities or to

possibly produce more views. Some network channels are known to purposefully produce

diverse characters, while others might be specifically picking races to create a specific brand or

look. Within the opposing or different claim, a problematic issue could be specific or different

details on how the pay is distributed among the different cast members or even why some

members are worth more money in production.

5. The TV series Greys Anatomy provides the audience with a racially diverse cast and engages

in dramatic portrayals of obstacles in life. I would like to make my audience aware of details or
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scenes within the show that exemplify its diversity, but also show how it may even include

learning from the mistakes of being racially prejudice. By providing a specific example within

the series, it can further strengthen the claim with evidence.

6. Some may say that due to the setting taking place at a hospital, the show must be racially

diverse or have stereotypical idea of doctors taking place of those roles. Even though a

Caucasian woman has the leading role in the series, it is still a diverse series that continues to

include new cast members. The drama within the series might even overshadow the fact that it

has many diverse cast members with diverse relationships.