Building Representation Through Media

(via CNN Business)

Over the past 100 years, movies and television have become integral to how we view our world and society. We all have a favorite character we can relate to. Either through channeling their personas or cheering them on as they overcome personal battles. However, when viewing the characters and understanding the message behind them, there comes the question if the creators are truly representing all identities.

Since the development of visual media, there has been an obvious lack of visual representation in films and television, arguably leading to a consistent negative basis towards marginalized individuals. After examining the top 100 of the top films since 2007, the University of Southern California found nearly two-thirds of speaking roles were of White characters, that's 65.7%.

There is a multitude of examples of Hollywood's mistreat of marginalized communities. Examining and understanding how each identity has been unfairly mistreated in Hollywood can take a semester-long course. Nonetheless, I would still like to discuss how the film and television industries negatively impacted targeted groups, specifically between the Black and transgender communities.

After reading this post, I encourage you to do your own research about this topic, explore how you've seen negative stereotypes in the media and share them in the chat.

Playing an Authentic Role

The transgender community has been heavily misrepresented in the media. For instance, the multitude of non-trans actors and actresses playing the roles of trans characters. Some examples include Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club, Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl, and Elle Fanning in 3 Generations.

Roles, like the previous example, can generate harm within the community as it strips opportunities of self-expression and portrayal of the modern life of a trans individual. Alternatively, trans actors and actresses like Laverne Cox or television shows like Pose, shift the narrative of media portrays trans characters.

Actress and activist Laverne Cox (via Getty)

Along with this, it is imperative to realize the characterization some characters are placed in. After examining 102 episodes containing trans characters since 2002, the organization GLAAD found that 54% of characters were negatively represented. Trans characters were either villainized, victimized or degraded for humor. This outlines an underlining issue of how trans individuals are seen through the lens of society. Nonetheless, there is a gradual push to allow trans actors, directors and writers to tell their stories through their perspectives.

Addressing the film and television industries’ treatment of the Black community is a long, tedious and distasteful process that carries an elongated history dating back to one of Hollywood’s earliest films.

“The Birth of a Nation,” released in 1915, was a racially targeted film aimed at the heads of Black Americans. The film not only displayed white actors donning blackface, but it depicts Black people as aggressive savages. Willing to rape any white woman that comes their way, while the Klu Klux Klan was painted as the saviors, brutally killing the “savages.”

This film prolonged the reinforcement of the idea that Black people are less than and somehow “dangerous.” The media continuously reinforces a negative narrative against Black people by placing Black characters into boxes that negatively characterize them. Either by portraying characters as criminals and thugs or giving the character a stereotypical position like a musician or athlete, to achieve success. A recent study conducted by the National Research Group found that 2 in 3 Black Americans don’t see themselves represented in films or television, carrying a negative impact on how Black people fit in society.

What's Next?

So how can the media improve when equally representing marginalized characters on films and television? For one, equitable representation. This means that Hollywood allows the opportunity for more marginalized content creators, thus allowing them to create marginalized characters and fitting them with actors and actresses that authentically fit their personas. The characters in these stories should then be allowed to carry different ideals, morals and motivations while benign placed in unique situations and positions, instead of shadowing the cis white protagonist.

Actress and Director Marsai Martin (via Getty)

Seeing representation in movies and tv shows like “Black-ish,” Crazy Rich Asians,” and “Moonlight,” matters. Understanding and listening to others' experiences and how they view the world, matter. By giving marginalized creators a voice, we can eliminate the need for having the demand of seeking more visual representation. It’s already visually present.

Have you seen negative stereotypes displayed in media? What was one interesting aspect you took away from this post? Share your thoughts or something new you've discovered in the comments below.