Growing up, my childhood was filled with watching movies that starred people with pretty light-complexioned men and women who undeniably set the standard for everyone else to want to look that way. I thought to myself, “if only I looked that way…maybe I would be that or have this.” At the time, these films were enjoyable to watch, and I never saw anything wrong with this mindset.  However as I grew older, I started asking myself “why can’t I relate to the people on my screen? Why am I not on the screen?” The lack of representation of many minority groups in the media led a child to believe that they themselves, their skin color, and ethnic and racial background were not enough to meet societal standards and find a place in the popular media, and I am not the only person who experienced this growing up. 

Negative portrayals and stereotypes in the media, especially TV, have a negative impact on a child's self-esteem. A 2012 research study found that out of 400 black and white girls and boys, those who felt no significant impact on their self-esteem after watching TV were white boys [1]. Furthermore, the other groups of the study felt that their minority group is negatively represented in the media and that their representations are not accurate, serving only to reinforce a stereotype that was created to isolate. These depictions are saying “this is how we see you and this is what you are”... and children believe it. There are many ways these issues can be addressed and solved. In today’s society, it is imperative that big players in the field of media set a precedent and build a pathway for underrepresented groups to have an outlet that allows them to be heard and seen. 

Now more than ever, minority groups are seeing a disparity in representation and appreciation towards them. Many brands have taken the initiative to bridge the gap between this underrepresentation in order to form a more equal system. Netflix recently pledged $5 Million to Black creators, Black youth organizations, and Black-owned businesses [2]. This will create long-term opportunities for the black community, leading to an increase in representation on and off-screen. Netflix’s initiative to help black creators is especially important because many filmmakers, especially those from minority backgrounds, rely on Netflix to feature their work [3]. Brands with influence should follow in Netflix’s step, and invest in Black creators and artists. As a society seeking change, we must hold brands accountable so that one day inclusivity on the big screen will not be a surprise. 

Children will now be able to see themselves in those on our screens and will no longer question their validity. Our stories, voices, and faces will no longer be replaced by the societal standards established to create division.  

Written by Cassandra Lopez

References:

1.     Lawson, K. (2018). Why Seeing Yourself Represented on Screen Is So Important. [online] vice.com.  Available at: https://www.vice.com/en/article/zmwq3x/why-diversity-on-screen-is-important-black-panther

2.     Hersko, T. (2020). Netflix Pledges $5 Million to Black Creators, Youth Organizations, and Businesses. [online] indiewire.com. Available at: https://www.indiewire.com/2020/06/netflix-pledges-5-million-black-creators-1202237811/

3.     Onyango, F. (2020). Why Netlfix is a lifeline for African filmmakers. [online] theguardian.com. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/oct/07/netflix-lifeline-for-african-film-makers-fred-onyango