Representation Overview
Representation doesn't end with race and gender, but our focus will be on each of them. Representation has become a buzzword of sorts, and rightly so. It is reasonable to demand realistic portrayals of the world in our media, and a diverse world means a diverse media. When people can see themselves in film, TV, in books and elsewhere-- even just in the forms of race or gender-- they become more confident and secure in who they are as people and their identities. It is also helpful for people to see others not like them in media. Having people who look and act different on television is one of the first steps in bringing people together in a world seemingly made of completely separate groups. It also makes media more interesting and enjoyable when people are accurately represented. Real people and real stories are complicated and compelling, and our media can be the same.
All it takes is realistic representation.
All it takes is realistic representation.
Intersectionality
Racial and gender representation in the media is crucial, but it is just as important as see all different aspects of a person's identity represented in the media. Often gender, race, sexual orientation, class, and ability are viewed as separate matters when they actually have immense overlap. Continuing to treat them as such further perpetuates the belief that these identities cannot intermix. The multiple identities a person possess has the ability to drastically affect the experiences they have.
Example:
Both a white woman and a black woman are being discriminated against in their workplaces. Although both women share the same gender identity, the white woman is likely being discriminated against because of her gender alone, whereas the black woman is probably being discriminated against because of both her race and gender.
Intersectionality is often overlooked in the media, in society, and in a lot of social movements that have the goal of obtaining equal rights for oppressed people. Take for example, arguably the most popular social movement in America, feminism. The movement has the mission of dismantling patriarchy and ending gender discrimination, however many feel disenfranchised by a lack of consideration for how other aspects of one's identity impact their experiences, and mainstream feminism mainly caters to upper middle class cisgender white women.
We try to keep the multiplicity of identities in mind in our work on representation.