How Do You Define the Color Line?: Exploring the Impacts and Perceptions of Racial Representation in Brazilian Telenovelas

This thesis explores the impact and perceptions surrounding racial representation in Brazilian society, using three modern Brazilian telenovelas as the microcosm for the study. Beginning in 1996 with the release of Xica da Silva, followed by Duas Caras in 2007, and ending with Malhação in 2014, each telenovela is examined in relation to the political context in which it was released, a thorough content analysis focusing on prevalent themes, and a look into the audience’s perception of these programs through user generated YouTube comments. This thesis touches on the connections between traditional forms of media such as television, together with social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube, to connect past, present, and future media mediums. By addressing racial representation through these lenses, it pushes the reader to question the media’s role, specifically through the telenovela, in influencing societal norms and opinions