Wikidata:WikiProject Media Representation/Ethnic Portrayals

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Discaimer:

These tests do not judge the quality or message of any media, and passing any of these tests does not automatically guarantee that the content is not problematic or offensive in its portrayal of the subjects, and vice versa.

The wording of some of the tests have also been modified to be useful in a global context and for most forms of media (Film, TV, Theater, Books, etc...).

No one test can replace a qualitative examination of a creative work. But each test opens up critical discussion, challenges and inspires creators, and provides another tool for measuring hidden biases.

Art and entertainment are always subjective and nuanced. Lets have fun with data!

Riz Test

The Riz Test or the Riz Ahmed Test is a measure of the diversity of how Muslims are portrayed in media.

Disclaimer: The Riz test isn’t a scientific measure of Islamophobia. Like all of the other tests, it’s more to start conversations. Media that does not pass the test may still be good examples of representation.

Criteria

Initial Criteria:

If the work has at least one character who is identifiably Muslim (by ethnicity, language or clothing) - is the character…

Main Criteria:

1. Talking about, the victim of, or the perpetrator of terrorism?

(Antagonists, Villains or Gangsters do not directly count as terrorism, unless extreme violence (in scale and brutality) is shown, or a connection is shown between faith and crime)

2. Presented as irrationally angry?

3. Presented as superstitious, culturally backwards or anti-modern?

4. Presented as a threat to a Western way of life? (Or the predominant culture in a Non-Muslim majority nation/region)

(Example: negative impact of a Muslim family moving into a predominantly "western" neighborhood, including if the neighborhood is shown as being xenophobic/Islamophobic)

5.a If the character is male, is he presented as misogynistic?

or,

5.b if the character is female, is she presented as oppressed by her male counterparts?

(For 5. a & b, if multiple Muslim characters are present and the majority are not overtly misogynistic or oppressed, or are equivalent to other traditional cultural norms, the answer will be No. Example: Conservative grandparents or traditionalist supporting characters, that do not significantly impact the story, leads or other characters)

If the answer for any of the above is Yes, then the work fails the test.

Modelling

Please use the following statements

assessment If no Muslim character exists or Muslim characters are very minor with one way exchange or interaction	Riz Test edit assessment outcome not applicable 0 references add reference
		add value

Or,

assessment	Riz Test edit assessment outcome passes 0 references add reference
		add value

Or,

assessment	Riz Test edit assessment outcome fails criterion used Muslim character/s are talking about, the victim of, or the perpetrator of terrorism or extreme violence (Q102182821) ← Reason why this work fails (use at least one of the list below) 0 references add reference
		add value

Qualifiers for works that pass by a small margin

• If a work marginally satisfies each of the criteria, please use nature of statement (P5102)=rarely (Q28962310) as qualifier. (Example: a supporting character who may not be present for a significant section of the work, or only has some impact on the story)

• If a predominantly negative portrayal is shown, but no terrorism is present in the work and satisfies all other criteria, please use nature of statement (P5102)=partially (Q100349848) as qualifier. (Example: Gangsters)

If a work fails, please use the following qualifiers to specify which criteria/s

• criterion used (P1013)=Muslim character/s are talking about, the victim of, or the perpetrator of terrorism or extreme violence (Q102182821)

• criterion used (P1013)=Muslim character/s are presented as irrationally angry (Q102182887)

• criterion used (P1013)=Muslim character/s are presented as superstitious, culturally backwards or anti-modern (Q102182939)

• criterion used (P1013)=Muslim character/s are presented as a threat to a Western or non-Islamic way of life (Q102183028)

• criterion used (P1013)=Male Muslim character/s are presented as misogynistic (Q102183145)

• criterion used (P1013)=Female Muslim character/s are presented as oppressed by her male counterparts (Q102183290)

• criterion used (P1013)=Muslim Characters fail all of the Riz Test criteria (Q102677736)

Queries

All works with a Riz test result

SELECT ?item ?itemLabel ?resultLabel ?external_identifiers
WHERE
{
  #getting all items with a test result
  ?item p:P5021 ?st. ?st ps:P5021 wd:Q102180036; pq:P9259 ?result.
  #excluding television series episodes
  MINUS{?item wdt:P31/wdt:P279* wd:Q21191270}
 
  ?item wikibase:identifiers ?external_identifiers
  SERVICE wikibase:label { bd:serviceParam wikibase:language "en". }
}
ORDER BY DESC(?external_identifiers)

Try it!

Sources

• Example Media Lists

Malayalam films that passed Riz test for breaking Muslim stereotypes

Waithe Test

The Waithe Test or the Lena Waithe Test measure the variety of tropes in which Black Women are generally portrayed.

Disclaimer: The Waithe Test is not a scientific measure of Racism or Sexism. Like all of the other tests, it’s more to start conversations. Media that does not pass the test may still be good examples of representation.

Criteria

1. There’s a black woman in the work

(Includes Black Identifiying, and people considered Black in their respective individual culture. An ethnic-majority actor/voice-actor, inhabiting/voicing a black female character will not be considered for the test. Exception - If the same actor/voice-actor, plays or voices multiple characters in the Film/TV, then it could be considered.)

2. Who’s in a position of power

(Position of Power: as one in which a person exerted control over others or had at least one subordinate)

3. And she’s in a healthy relationship

(Can include Non-romantic relationships on a case by case basis. Example: Close Friends, Children, or Exes)

Modelling

Please use the following statements

assessment	Waithe Test edit assessment outcome passes 0 references add reference
		add value

Or,

assessment	Waithe Test edit assessment outcome fails review score 1/3 ← optional additional qualifier for failing works (see explanations below) 0 references add reference
		add value

If a work fails, please use review score (P444) as follows:

• review score (P444)0/3 if there are no black female characters in this work
• review score (P444)1/3 if there are black female characters but they are not in a position of power
• review score (P444)2/3 if there are black female characters in a position of power but they are not shown to be in a healthy relationship or no relationship is shown at all

Queries

All works with a Waithe test result

SELECT ?item ?itemLabel ?resultLabel ?external_identifiers
WHERE
{
  #getting all items with a test result
  ?item p:P5021 ?st. ?st ps:P5021 wd:Q104144087; pq:P9259 ?result.
  #excluding television series episodes
  MINUS{?item wdt:P31/wdt:P279* wd:Q21191270}
 
  ?item wikibase:identifiers ?external_identifiers
  SERVICE wikibase:label { bd:serviceParam wikibase:language "en". }
}
ORDER BY DESC(?external_identifiers)

Try it!

Sources

• Example Media Lists

Next Bechdel: Waithe Test

Reverse Waithe Test

The Reverse Waithe Test is a representation test for how Black Men in power are portrayed.

Disclaimer: The Waithe Test is not a scientific measure of Racism. Like all of the other tests, it’s more to start conversations. Media that does not pass the test may still be good examples of representation.

Criteria

1. There’s a black man in the work

(Includes Black Identifiying, and people considered Black in their respective individual culture)

2. Who’s in a position of power

(Position of Power: as one in which a person exerted control over others or had at least one subordinate)

3. And he’s in a healthy relationship

(Can include Non-romantic relationships on a case by case basis. Example: Close Friends, Children, or Exes)

Modelling

Please use the following statements

assessment	reverse Waithe Test edit assessment outcome passes 0 references add reference
		add value

Or,

assessment	reverse Waithe Test edit assessment outcome fails review score 1/3 ← optional additional qualifier for failing works (see below for explanation) 0 references add reference
		add value

If a work fails, please use review score (P444) as follows:

• review score (P444)0/3 if there are no black male characters in this work
• review score (P444)1/3 if there are black male characters but they are not in a position of power
• review score (P444)2/3 if there are black male characters in a position of power but they are not shown to be in a healthy relationship

Queries

All works with a Waithe test result

SELECT ?item ?itemLabel ?resultLabel ?external_identifiers
WHERE
{
  #getting all items with a test result
  ?item p:P5021 ?st. ?st ps:P5021 wd:Q105918665; pq:P9259 ?result.
  #excluding television series episodes
  MINUS{?item wdt:P31/wdt:P279* wd:Q21191270}
 
  ?item wikibase:identifiers ?external_identifiers
  SERVICE wikibase:label { bd:serviceParam wikibase:language "en". }
}
ORDER BY DESC(?external_identifiers)

Try it!

Shukla Test

The Shukla Test, Nikesh Shukla Test or the Apu Test is a test for the portrayal of ethnic minorities.

Criteria

1. Two ethnic minorities (Minorities in the country/region of origin)

(An ethnic-majority actor/voice-actor, inhabiting/voicing an ethnic-minority character will not be considered for the test. Exception - If the same actor/voice-actor, plays or voices multiple characters in the Film/TV, then it could be considered.)

2. talk to each other for more than five minutes (5 minutes over the entire work)

3. about something other than race/ethnicity

Modelling

Please use the following statements

assessment	Shukla Test edit assessment outcome passes 0 references add reference
		add value

Or,

assessment	Shukla Test edit assessment outcome fails review score 1/3 ← optional additional qualifier for failing works (see explanations below) 0 references add reference
		add value

If a work fails, please use review score (P444) as follows:

• review score (P444)0/3 if there are less than two ethnic minority characters
• review score (P444)1/3 if there are at least two ethnic minority characters, but they don't talk to each other
• review score (P444)1.5/3 if there are at least two ethnic minority characters who talk to each other, but not for at least 5 minutes
• review score (P444)2/3 if there are at least two ethnic minority characters who talk to each other for at least 5 minutes, but only about race or ethnicity

Queries

All works with a Shukla test result

SELECT ?item ?itemLabel ?resultLabel ?external_identifiers
WHERE
{
  #getting all items with a test result
  ?item p:P5021 ?st. ?st ps:P5021 wd:Q104144383; pq:P9259 ?result.
  #excluding television series episodes
  MINUS{?item wdt:P31/wdt:P279* wd:Q21191270}
 
  ?item wikibase:identifiers ?external_identifiers
  SERVICE wikibase:label { bd:serviceParam wikibase:language "en". }
}
ORDER BY DESC(?external_identifiers)

Try it!

Sources

• Example Media Lists

Shukla Test for race in film

The Shukla Test

AfroBubbleGum Test

Fun, fierce and frivolous representation test of Africa, Africans and people who have been othered.

Criteria

A work is AfroBubbleGum or AfroBubbleGumist if two or more of the below are true:

1. At least 2 healthy Africans - "Mandatory"

2. who are financially stable (and do not need saving)

• In a positive manner, not at the expense of others and without being shown as "greedy" or similar negative attributes associated with wealth

3. having fun and enjoying life. (Not hopeless, desperate or lost)

• In a positive manner, not at the expense of others
• Fun can be frivolous or an activity that creates joy
• Should be having fun in key parts or the majority of the times they appear in the work

Modelling

Please use the following statements

assessment	BubbleGum Test or AfroBubbleGum Test edit assessment outcome passes review score 2.3/3 ← optional additional qualifier for passing works (see explanations below) 0 references add reference
		add value

Or,

assessment	BubbleGum Test or AfroBubbleGum Test edit assessment outcome fails review score 1/3 ← optional additional qualifier for failing works (see explanations below) 0 references add reference
		add value

If a work is AfroBubbleGumist, please use review score (P444) as follows:

• review score (P444)2.2/3 if the work fulfills the first and second criteria
• review score (P444)2.3/3 if the work fulfills the first and third criteria
• review score (P444)3/3 if the work fulfills all three criteria

If a work is Not AfroBubbleGumist, please use review score (P444) as follows:

• review score (P444)0/3 if the work does not fulfill any of the criteria
• review score (P444)1/3 if the work fulfills only the first criteria
• review score (P444)2/3 if the work fulfills all or two criteria, but with only one African character

Queries

All works with a AfroBubbleGum test result

SELECT ?item ?resultLabel ?itemLabel ?external_identifiers
WHERE
{
  #getting all items with a test result
  ?item p:P5021 ?st. ?st ps:P5021 wd:Q105726358; pq:P9259 ?result.
  #excluding television series episodes
  MINUS{?item wdt:P31/wdt:P279* wd:Q21191270}
 
  ?item wikibase:identifiers ?external_identifiers
  SERVICE wikibase:label { bd:serviceParam wikibase:language "en". }
}
ORDER BY DESC(?external_identifiers)

Try it!

Sources

• TED Talk - Wanuri Kahiu
• Guardian - Afrobubblegum
• AfroBubbleGum & BubbleGum Test at 29.5 min

BubbleGum Test

Based on the AfroBubbleGum test, this is a Fun, fierce and frivolous representation test of people who have been othered.

Criteria

A work is BubbleGum or BubbleGumist ("passes" the "BubbleGum Test") if two or more of the below are true:

1. At least 2 healthy who have been othered - "Mandatory"

• Othered or discriminated against in the place and time the work was created. (Examples Include - Ethnic Minority Migrants, LGBTQ+ or Indigenous People)

2. who are financially stable (and do not need saving)

• In a positive manner, not at the expense of others and without being shown as "greedy" or similar negative attributes associated with wealth

3. having fun and enjoying life. (Not hopeless, desperate or lost)

• In a positive manner, not at the expense of others
• Fun can be frivolous or an activity that creates joy
• Should be having fun in key parts or the majority of the times they appear in the work

Modelling

Please use the following statements

assessment	BubbleGum Test edit assessment outcome passes review score 2.3/3 ← optional additional qualifier for passing works (see explanations below) 0 references add reference
		add value

Or,

assessment	BubbleGum Test edit assessment outcome fails review score 1/3 ← optional additional qualifier for failing works (see explanations below) 0 references add reference
		add value

If a work is BubbleGumist, please use review score (P444) as follows:

• review score (P444)2.2/3 if the work fulfills the first and second criteria
• review score (P444)2.3/3 if the work fulfills the first and third criteria
• review score (P444)3/3 if the work fulfills all three criteria

If a work is Not BubbleGumist, please use review score (P444) as follows:

• review score (P444)0/3 if the work does not fulfill any of the criteria
• review score (P444)0.2/3 if the work fulfills only the second criteria
• review score (P444)0.3/3 if the work fulfills only the third criteria
• review score (P444)1/3 if the work fulfills only the first criteria
• review score (P444)2/3 if the work fulfills two criteria, but not the first mandatory criteria

Queries

All works with a BubbleGum test result

SELECT ?item ?itemLabel ?resultLabel ?external_identifiers
WHERE
{
  #getting all items with a test result
  ?item p:P5021 ?st. ?st ps:P5021 wd:Q105816692; pq:P9259 ?result.
  #excluding television series episodes
  MINUS{?item wdt:P31/wdt:P279* wd:Q21191270}
 
  ?item wikibase:identifiers ?external_identifiers
  SERVICE wikibase:label { bd:serviceParam wikibase:language "en". }
}
ORDER BY DESC(?external_identifiers)

Try it!

Sources

• TED Talk - Wanuri Kahiu
• Guardian - Afrobubblegum - Wallacegromit1 (talk) 17:10, 5 January 2021 (UTC)
• AfroBubbleGum & BubbleGum Test at 29.5 min

General queries related to representation of ethnicities in the media

Queries involving media representation tests

• summary of test results for ethnicity related tests

Related WikiProjects

• Wikidata:WikiProject Ethnicity