TV Tokenism is when a minority character is when a TV show has a "token" minority in the cast. In dramas they tend to be supporting roles like the sidekick or the boss. They are most often the best-dressed and follow the rule book. There is also the frequent case of the "mystical minority" where the minority character has a special power or is mysterious in some shape or form.
White Collar is a drama that aired at 10/9c on the USA network. The show is in its third season so it is fairly mature. The show focuses on Neil Caffrey, a former art thief turned CI. Peter Burke is the CIA agent that watches over Caffrey and works with Caffrey. The two have the most screen time. Mozzie is Caffrey's best friend and con artist. Mozzie often helps Caffrey and the CIA "get the job done".
The two of the cast who get little screen time are Clinton Jones and Diana Berrigan. Clinton Jones is a Harvard grad and is the lead man for many investigations. Peter Burke is his boss and Jones is often seen sitting at the truck during a steak out. Few episodes dive into his personal life. Diana is Burke's most trusted assistant. She is often seen working with Jones. We know little about her personal life besides that her girlfriend recently proposed to her.
In the cast photo Neil Caffrey and Peter Burke get the largest profiles. They are the most prominent because of their size and placement. Caffrey is practically center and Burke is to the left, and when you scan things (like book) you look from left to right. Thus those two are the most obvious. It makes sense too because they get the most screen time.
Diana and Jones are the only two African Americans in the cast. Diana is a lesbian too. This is sort of a "two in one" deal. Jones is marginalized and placed in the back right, the last place your eyes focus on. Diana, though in the middle, is sitting down. It is almost as if she isn't at the same level as the men around her.
White Collar is a good example of TV Tokenism because Jones and Diana are both "token" minorities. They receive less screen time and are often accompanied by one of the lead roles. Their lines mostly state the obvious or provide background information for the audience so that the viewers can understand the drama to come. The show rarely talks about their personal lives outside of the CIA. They are relatively undeveloped characters. They provide the little diversity that the show needs in order to say that the show is diverse.
Where have you seen TV Tokenism?
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