Representation is the portrayal of a demographic or group most recognized in modern media such as movies, shows, books, etc. Recently, there has been debate on whether or not representation is needed or if it’s being “overused,” making creators seem desperate to be “woke.”
Growing up consuming media in which no one looks like you or has the same struggles can make you feel isolated and abnormal. By contrast, seeing someone that mirrors you on TV being successful or in love can make you believe you’re also capable of those things.
It’s not only you but those around you as well. If a peer grows up never seeing dark skin or same sex love in the media they consume, they’re led to believe those things aren’t normal which could potentially lead to outcasting and bullying towards minorities.
Still, the media continues to lack representation in multiple aspects and even butcher the little representation they have. For example, it’s common to see minority characters lean heavily into stereotypes.
Stereotypes are extremely harmful especially towards younger generations, damaging their self-esteem from a very young age. Studies have shown that more minorities fall as sidekicks, sexual objects, or comedic reliefs rather than the main character or hero.
It’s also common that when minorities are main characters, their race or sexuality is the main focus on their character. This can be both positive and negative; while it can make others feel seen, it can oversimplify a certain minority’s existence to just their differences.
Now, the media has improved its use of representation, seeing a minority in a show or movie is a lot more common but many studios and writers have gotten backlash for their inclusivity.
For example, Netflix’s hit show “Bridgerton” is applauded for their representation throughout all four seasons. Yet as season three aired, character Francesca Bridgerton was revealed to be queer. Even with her story barely starting, many fans were upset over this change in the adaptation.
Fans across the internet complained about Francesca’s identity calling the writers “too woke” for their inclusion of a queer character. While some fans had concerns about her story, seeing as Francesca was believed to struggle with infertility in later seasons, many fans simply didn’t like the change because it wasn’t “realistic.”
Bridgerton isn’t the only one that faces this backlash, many consumers have said the media in full is becoming too woke with representation of queer and ethnic minorities. Representation however isn’t something you can overuse.
Minorities, like everyone, want to be seen and acknowledged, so why is putting them in the face of the public considered such an abnormal idea?
