Dustin Gandof
Breaking Stereotypes with Humor
In the world of television, landing upon a show like ‘Reservation Dogs’ is about as likely as finding a diamond in the rough. Created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, this dark comedy stands out by challenging the cliché Hollywood narrative about Native Americans[1].
Instead of falling into the usual trap of misrepresented ethnic characters that you typically see on the checkout lines, ‘Reservation Dogs’ breaks these stereotypes. This is not accomplished by painting characters in unrealistic lights, or by tweaking personalities to meet some arbitrary ‘standard’ dictated by convention. Instead, the show achieves this by portraying the characters in light-hearted, humorous situations that intentionally mock and deconstruct the clichés.
‘Reservation Dogs’ as an Exception in the TV Landscape
The interactions between the four main characters of ‘Reservation Dogs’ often traverse beyond the realm of clichéd good and evil binary. These characters, navigating their way through adolescence on a reservation, find themselves navigating the blurred lines of morality, friendship, and tribal loyalty on a daily basis[3].
By providing audiences with a narrative that diverges from the quintessential Hollywood portrayal of Native American communities, ‘Reservation Dogs’ stands apart. But why is this an anomaly? Why isn’t the television landscape filled with rich, diverse narratives that move beyond stereotypes, and instead, present cultures and communities with their unique characteristics and nuances?
Creating a ‘New Normal’ for Television
If ‘Reservation Dogs’ has managed to crack the glass ceiling, the question remains as to why this show remains such a rarity? Part of the issue lies in the lack of representation in the writers’ rooms and production houses. Diverse voices bring diverse stories. By banking more on narratives like ‘Reservation Dogs’, drawn from multiple experiences, TV can present fresh perspectives that are truly reflective of the world’s diversity[1].
For ‘Reservation Dogs’ to stop being the exception and become the norm, it’s essential to continue pushing for more diversity both in front and behind the camera. The more we see different cultures authentically represented on TV, the more audiences will appreciate and seek out these narratives, breaking the loop of stereotypical storytelling.
Conclusion
Actor, director, and script-writer Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi have paved the way for authentic representation with ‘Reservation Dogs’. By taking humor as their weapon, they have dared to break the clichés usually seen in Hollywood. This is not only a win for Native American representation but also a big step towards diversifying the narratives told on television today.
It’s high time we started seeing more ‘Reservation Dogs’ on screen – narratives that dare to be authentic, that refuse to compromise for the sake of clichés, that represent cultures in their true light. When that happens, watching TV will not just be about entertainment, but about experiencing a world beyond our own through the magical medium of storytelling.
Until then, let’s continue to celebrate ‘Reservation Dogs’ for the rarity that it is – a gem that shines bright, illuminating the path towards a more inclusive television landscape[3].
