Visual media, especially in the form of TV and movies, as a form of entertainment has been popular for several decades now. The popularity of streaming services such as Netflix in the past decade has only increased its popularity. With hundreds of shows and movies at one’s fingertips, it has been easy for them to become a part of most of our daily lives. Nowadays, the new popular show or the new hit movie is a go-to topic of conversation.
A topic that has been under discussion in recent years is the question of representation in media, especially visual media aka movies and TV. The word ‘representation’ is everywhere, but what does it really mean? To put it simply, representation refers to the portrayal of minority communities in popular media. This includes minority genders, racial and religious minorities, sexual minorities, physical and mental disabilities, etc. The fight for proper representation of these minorities aims to not only showcase more minority characters on screen but also to make sure their experiences are portrayed accurately.
This brings us to the question, why does representation even matter? One could argue that the stories we see on our screens are fictional anyway, so it shouldn’t matter if all the characters are straight, white men. However, this outlook is deeply flawed. Of course, the events in the shows and movies we watch are fictional, but they do have an impact on us. If they didn’t, fairy tales and cartoons made for children would not teach lessons. When stories have been used by adults to impart morals and values to children all around the world from time immemorial, one cannot say that movies are just movies. Everything we watch has an effect on us, whether we realize it or not.
Thus, it is clear that movies can be used for good, which is the aim of the fight for representation. Positive representation can be used to break prejudice and stereotypes against minority communities. Just like how negative representation can increase prejudice against a community, positive representation can help fight that prejudice. A study conducted in 1997 showed that contact with an individual who belongs to a group that one is prejudiced against can help challenge the preconceived notions that lead to said prejudice. This is because personal contact could make them realize that the two people or groups share similarities. Also, interactions might challenge stereotypes against a group, and show that all members of a particular group are not the same.
This concept can be used with characters in movies and TV as well. Seeing stories of characters from minority groups is essentially a form of connection and interaction. If written well, these stories could serve to make people look past their preconceived notions and take notice of the characters themselves: their personalities, their struggles, and all the ways they are similar to the viewers. This could then extend to real people belonging to those communities.
Positive representation of minority groups also builds self-confidence in people who belong to those communities. It gives them characters to look up to and be inspired by. A cartoon about a female doctor would inspire young girls, who would realize that they can be doctors too, just like that character. Hand in hand with this, positive representation can also be a source of hope to many. Shows and movies that involve minority characters getting happy endings could give viewers who belong to the same groups hope that they can also have their own happy endings. Facing prejudice daily, as most minorities do, undoubtedly instills a sense of hopelessness in people. Although representation alone cannot get rid of it, knowing that characters in the same situation got a happy ending gives people hope that “if they can have a happy ending, I can too.”
Finally, increased representation also provides jobs. It is a well-established fact that it is harder for people from minority communities to find jobs. It is no different in the entertainment industry. Women, people of color, trans people (especially trans women), disabled people, etc. are heavily underrepresented in all parts of the industry. Increasing diversity would increase the number of jobs they get. Actors, writers, stunt coordinators, and everyone in between belonging to minority communities would get jobs easier if a conscious decision is made to improve representation and diversity.
There is no valid argument against expanding and improving representation in movies and TV. Having one “token” minority character is not enough. Entertainment industries all around the world need to start diversifying their content and their crews. More diverse writers rooms would bring more diverse and entertaining stories. More diverse casts would speak to more people. Steps have been taken towards it in the past few years, of course, but the world still has a long way to go. Movies are not “just movies”, shows are not “just shows”. It is necessary for a conscious effort to be made in the realm of representation in TV and movies.
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