On Screen Or Behind The Scenes: POC are Staggeringly Underrepresented In Media by Ha Linh Translated by Jordan Riviere
VOLUP2 would like to dedicate this article to the memory of the amazing Chadwick Boseman, may he Rest In Power.
Receiving a box office of 1.3 billion dollars and downpours of praise from critics and audience, “Black Panther” is a living example of how a movie with a predominantly black cast can rise to a global sensation. In 2020, we had the first Asian Best Picture and Best Director at Oscar. People of color (POC) are gradually reclaiming their stages and shining brighter than ever through media portrayals.
Poster of “Black Panther”
Despite the aforementioned positive news, we should not deceive ourselves into thinking that media racism has faded. In fact, it has not changed much. According to the recent report from the Media, Diversity, & Social Change Initiative at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, representation of minorities, women, LGBTQ+, and disabled characters in US movies remains almost the same throughout the years. White actors are dominating the industry by occupying 70.8%, followed by 13.6% black, 5.7% Asian, 3.1% Hispanic, and 1% Native American. If actors of minorities are women, disabled or belong to the LGBTQ+ community, they stand even a slimmer chance of being chosen. Even when POC are represented in media, they are often categorized into preconceived personalities or typecast for movie roles, which further reinforces societal prejudice.
Crew of “Parasite” accepting Best Picture at Oscar 2020
To aggravate the situation, this discrepancy in representation does not only occur to people appearing on screen but also behind the camera such as producers, directors, journalists, and reporters. Among the already low number of female directors, none of them are black. According to the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report, minorities constitute 11.2% of the creators of cable scripted shows and only 9.4% of creators of broadcast shows.
The question is what the cost is for the under-representation of POC in media and how expensive it is. Media holds a crucial position in shaping people’s perceptions and thinking processes. Meanwhile, representation does matter, especially to teenagers and young adults who search for a sense of belonging from society. Seeing people of similar backgrounds to them on TV can enhance their self-awareness and confidence. A study conducted by researchers from Indiana University Bloomington and University of Michigan reveals that only white boys do not experience any reductions in self-esteem after watching TV. In addition to benefiting POC, equal representation helps to minimize racial and cultural tensions since more accurate illustrations can lead to better understanding and sympathy.
A scene in “Dear White People”
Representation should not be a matter of yes or no but rather a must. Inclusion and diversity are vital for the development of the media industry as it can reach a wider selection of audience and, therefore, generate more revenue. More importantly, POC can pursue media jobs without being hindered by their races and their children do not struggle to find their own identities.
If equal representation is that beneficial, why do many still refrain from creating a change? There are various answers to this one. It can be toxic myths such as “Black films don’t travel” that prevent producers from promoting films that defy their conventional thinking. It can be the lack of effort and commitment to fighting racism as entertainment agencies or media creators do not find this cause worth investing time and money in comparison with instant profits.
In the end, whatever the reason is, we know media racism should be eliminated. Even though it is a long fight and requires radical methods to truly reverse current racial misconceptions, the media can utilize its power to gradually change the status quo. Media companies should set a diversity quota to recruit an inclusive set of employees. Producers of cultural TV shows or movies should consult specialists on the accuracy of their scripts so they will not deliver any distorted illustrations. Top celebrities should incorporate an equity clause into their contracts and refuse to cooperate with any companies that uphold racist policies.
Protestors are outside on the streets, opposing racism and advocating for better visibility of POC. Their voices are heard and their messages are delivered to authorities. Now is the media’s turn to do their part.
