Diversity In Media

According to a USC study on Hollywood films, just 28.3 percent of characters with dialogue were from people of colour. Indeed there has been a persistent lack of ethnic minorities in front of and behind the camera. It didn’t just start and end with the #OscarsSoWhite boycott, it has been a problem since the beginning of the American film industry. From silent films to high-definition technicolour with surround sound, there has been an obvious lack of minorities in significant positions of the media landscape. Most people think of racism in media as looking like white actors in blackface performing caricatures of African-Americans. There may not be as much overtly racist portrayals, but there is still a gap between white people and ethnic minorities

With heightened xenophobia and bigotry in the current political climate, it is now more pertinent than ever that we all strive for more inclusivity in all areas and at every level of society. Diversity allows for multifaceted portrayals of minorities, richly layered narratives and more emotional connections to diverse worldviews. Media is now slowly getting better at diversity, with television being at the forefront of onscreen diversity. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have since learned from the #OscarsSoWhite backlash and has now improved the diversity of their voting blocs with increased representation of women and people of colour. The Golden Globes 2017 had numerous black actors in most of their significant acting categories. After all when children of varied backgrounds are able to see themselves on the screen, they will see people like them as valued members of society and allowed the dignity to be their authentic selves and pursue their dreams. With this in mind, one can only begin to imagine the endless possibilities when we are all loving of our difference and the infinite ways it is to be