Why representation is important

We write about what we see and what we experience. When all we study is white and all we see is white, all we create is white. I applaud the great authors and thinkers that have managed to test these boundaries, to push our current media and literature out of balance.

They inspire young writers like me to explore the unseen characters, the traditional sidekicks, the never forgotten villains. They also encourage us to find characters in our own identity.

We are encouraged to write characters with our strength and weaknesses and flaws. Everyday, the media reassures us that America is white. Minorities are sidekicks or the help, the American Dream is alive and well, and racism is dead.

Representation in the media means that America can finally see itself in all its multicultural, multiracial, beautiful self. Representation in the media means that America sees more to minorities than stereotypes.

Representation can make disadvantaged groups become real people. Accessibility statement Skip to main content We need your help: All banner donations made today will support The Daily's new staff financial aid program. Learn more and donate. When the mother of the child featured in my Helping Kids Be Brave post sent along this new picture, I couldn't help being struck by something about it.

Maybe it was in her daughter's stance, in her eyes, or in her mother's acknowledgement that they couldn't take the picture until Jenni went to her room and got a pillowcase to complete the outfit because "details matter. This kiddo had latched onto the Star Wars character Rey as a role model for more than just this one picture. Rey was and is a new option for Jenni when it comes to imagining herself in the world. This little girl was ready for a fictional mentor, and Rey was there -- and not just there , but featured prominently in a popular blockbuster film.

Rey was an available option in a film largely dominated by male characters. And trust me -- as a former Princess Leia wannabe, I understand the joy of finding a female character who doesn't always need rescuing! Jenni had someone to identify with, someone she could look to for options when sussing out tricky situations.

Gender matters. Indeed, representation matters, because " If she can see it, she can be it. Simply put, kids determine what they can be based on the examples around them. This playlist brings together videos focused on racism. Driving a supportive work culture at Volkswagen Group UK. Do one thing - Mental Health at Work. Skip to main content. Home Blog Why representation matters in your workplace and beyond — Lessons from Wakanda.

Reading time: 8 mins. Related resource. By: TED. By: BBC Three. For children who are developing their thoughts and behaviours, and for teenagers who are searching for identity and their place in society, media takes the role of a significant influence. A lack of diversity is harmful not only to the people being misrepresented but also to others who watch those shows or movies who then base their perception of a group solely on the media they consume. Luckily, there has been an increase in the diversity of characters of colour!

But we have a long way to go to dismantle the many stereotypes that have been engraved in the history of television and film. According to an article by Forbes , general media can escalate racial tensions and affect confidence and self-esteem. The author describes how predictions in the study of prolonged television exposure involve decreased self-esteem for girls and Black boys, which correlates with racial and gender biases in popular media.

With the effects of underrepresentation so prevalent and impactful to youth, diverse and inclusive media representation must be prioritized as we move forward. Especially in the case of beauty standards, I feel that it has now become such a common story for Black women to go through a stage of not liking their features, and more specifically, their hair.

However, within the last few years, I have become a lot more comfortable in my identity and in wearing my hair out, as big as it is! There is certainly a time and place for these kinds of movies, but I am so excited for when I can see myself represented in the media without having to think about all the problems that I may face as a Black woman. Image is courtesy of Girl Museum. The youth of today are passionate about inclusive representation, and they are making their voices heard on what they want to see more of in modern media.

Especially people with disabilities because I hardly ever see them represented in the industry. Progress is underway, but for representation to be achieved in all aspects, there must be greater inclusivity of underrepresented groups both on-screen and behind the scenes as writers, directors, producers, and more.

The entertainment industry, media creators, and society can benefit significantly by confronting implicit bias and stereotypes and actively commit to fostering inclusive environments. Through this, may we begin the journey towards media that includes representation for all. Article Author: Victoria Huang.