celera

24 has been getting a lot of coverage about the negative portrayals of Arabs in the show. I thought this would make a very interesting discussion. Some groups have been protesting this. VH1's Best Week Ever satirized this with their "24's Guide to Gender and Racial Profiling" segment. Although he's not to be taken seriously one person in that segment said that it taught him:
-not to trust women, especially black women
-not to trust Arab families

The current Entertainment Weekly has also touched on the Arab profiling with the Arazes and the portrayal of women as either bitchy(Driscoll, Maryanne) or victims (Jack's wife and daughter). Interestingly, it said Chloe is one of the better female characters.

Cati

Every type of group, minority and majority, has been portrayed negatively on this show. I don't think 24 picks on any particular group. The constant theme of the show is that a terrorist/conspirator may be anyone: Arab, Serbian, Hispanic or WASP American; White, Black, or Asian; Male or Female; etc. And even if the current villain is Arab for example, there are always honourable characters in the group like Yousef, Reza, and Behrooz.

As for the portrayal of women, it's true that women are often portrayed as weak but only initially. By the end of the season, they're usually picking up a gun or knife and saving themselves: Kate, Kim, Audrey.. And Michelle has always been portrayed as a very strong, heroic character. Chloe may lack social skills but she's loyal, smart and has never been a damsel in distress.

NikNak

I agree.

I could say that the show has one of the black female characters sterotypically portrayed as the bitch and a mole (Sherry, Marie, etc..), and be totally offended by that, but I digress.

And, I'm not.

groovyk1

24 has explored many types of groups since day 1. There does seem to be a lot of discussion on this season in particular.