The YouTube Indian: Portrayals of Native Americans on a viral video site

• DOI: 10.1177/1461444810373532
• Publication Date: 2010-11-10T03:59:38Z
• Authors: Maria Kopacz; Bessie Lee Lawton
• Keywords: Mainstream; Depiction; Native american; Online video; Sample (material)

Mainstream media messages contain limited, distorted and negative images of Native Americans, thus promoting continued ethnic marginalization. Community-oriented online venues like the viral video sites have opened up new platforms for depiction. This study employed a quantitative content analysis to examine sample YouTube videos relating Americans. The findings reveal number promising patterns, suggesting that broadcast by may depart from rigid stereotypical depictions Americans in traditional media.