Representation

[Palamon]

In terms of representation of media, what do you think? How good do you think we've gotten in terms of that? From LGBTQ+ representation, to diversity, you may choose to interpret this question in whatever way you like.

I think that representation in media has gotten much better these days. There have been trans characters being played by trans actors (examples: Spider Man Far From Home, and She-Ra Princesses of Power), for example. So, LGBTQ representation has gotten to be the norm. I'm glad. I'm hoping that, with 2020, this continues.

But, I still think representation for non-white characters needs improvement. We really need more non-white main characters in fiction, especially in American made series. I do think Black Panther and Spiderman into the Spivderverse was the step in the right direction, but we really need more movies like that. I do want to point it out that it was great a non-white movie won an Oscar this year, too, but I still think we need more representation in terms of that. I think that this important now, more than ever.

I also think we need more representation of stuff like Judaism & other minority religions in media. As a Jewish person, I feel very under represented in fiction. I literally cannot think of any modern examples of a Jewish character in media. It doesn't have to explicitly stated or anything, but tbh, the oversaturation of Christmas movies has made me feel pretty bitter every holiday season. The only Hanukkah movie I can think of is bad, too. It's called Eight Crazy Nights, and I've heard pretty negative things about it.

But, yes, LGBTQ representation is getting better. But there are some things that need to be worked on.

Btw, please, if you're gonna be controversial in this thread, don't attack anyone, and be civil. Thank you.

 

[pastelspectre]

For lgbtq+ stuff? We're still getting there. I want to see more mlm couples in media, and not the stereotypical version or an exaggerated version.

But Steven universe and She-Ra have done great at representation so far, and so have several other cartoons. We still have a long way to go. But I know we can get there.

 

[Palamon]

Something else I wanted to mention is we need to improve representation of neurodivergencies/mental illnesses in media. There is very few characters I can think of that are portrayed in a good light w/neurodivergencies and aren't either used to be a joke character/vilified/poorly researched or horrifically stereotyped.

Characters like Mike from Total Drama piss me off because his DID is used as a joke for a lot of the series.

It doesn't have to be explicitly implied a character is neurodivergent, but I just want better portrayals. I mean outside of kids shows, too. I do think Arthur, Sesame Street and She-Ra (Entrapta was written to be autistic) were really good w/their representation of characters that are written to be autistic.

I'm bringing this up because I'm tired of stuff where character /is the bad guy because of [insert mental illness here]/ and stuff like that.

 

[CF1994]

LGBT+ representation is a work in progress, but that should be no excuse for purposely editing them out to appease certain nations in order to market the product.

Ideally, LGBT+ relationships should be the main focus. They can still function like a normal couple, provided you change gender-specific scenarios to account for the representation couple in question.

Companies shouldn't be boasting about LGBT+ representation if they're not going to commit to having such relationships be the main focus of their animated or live-action flicks. The worst offender in recent memory would have to be the cyclops in Pixar's Onward.

Commitment is key to having excellent representation. Don't be afraid to use terms that matter, like when focusing on a Lesbian couple for example, use terms like girlfriend and girlfriend or wife and wife.

 

[moon]

Oh god the Onward thing. They really just tossed a line about a girlfriend in there and felt So Proud of themselves.

 

[Mab]

Something else I wanted to mention is we need to improve representation of neurodivergencies/mental illnesses in media. There is very few characters I can think of that are portrayed in a good light w/neurodivergencies and aren't either used to be a joke character/vilified/poorly researched or horrifically stereotyped.

Characters like Mike from Total Drama piss me off because his DID is used as a joke for a lot of the series.

It doesn't have to be explicitly implied a character is neurodivergent, but I just want better portrayals. I mean outside of kids shows, too. I do think Arthur, Sesame Street and She-Ra (Entrapta was written to be autistic) were really good w/their representation of characters that are written to be autistic.

I'm bringing this up because I'm tired of stuff where character /is the bad guy because of [insert mental illness here]/ and stuff like that.

god, this. mental health is still handled TERRIBLY in a lot of media

anyone seen Split? the main antagonist has DID that not only is portrayed horribly with a bunch of ridiculous lines (thanks m night) but his DID also gives him superpowers?? what the actual fuck is going on.

also, to a lesser extent, Betty in Riverdale who is implied to have some kind of personality disorder/DID/something. but it's handled horribly and basically just emerges when the writers want her to be e d g y for a scene :| the rest of the time she literally acts completely normal and has no symptoms. and when they do finally start to address that she has a serious mental illness like four seasons in, it's still handled in the most absurd and tone-deaf way possible.

 

[Ninetales]

also, to a lesser extent, Betty in Riverdale who is implied to have some kind of personality disorder/DID/something. but it's handled horribly and basically just emerges when the writers want her to be e d g y for a scene :| the rest of the time she literally acts completely normal and has no symptoms. and when they do finally start to address that she has a serious mental illness like four seasons in, it's still handled in the most absurd and tone-deaf way possible.

Yes. As a former avid fan of Riverdale, I agree with this so much. Betty's mental health is exploited for the sake of edginess. The way in which they portray mental health is incredibly inappropriate, as they highlight it in a way that makes sufferers seem belligerent and irrational. Mental health is also painted as immensely one-dimensional and the show fails to capture the many nuances and complexities within mental health, nor do they provide a realistic representation of the ways in which an individual struggles/copes with mental health. Moreover, mental health issues are only present to further the storyline and as you mentioned, disappear entirely otherwise. Television needs to step away from portraying people with mental illness as crazy.

Another thing I would like to note is I have seen a lack of Asexual characters in literature and television. I also think that when Asexual characters are envisioned, it's important for them to be multi-dimensional. Being Ace doesn't render one a prude nor does it bar an individual from expressing/exploring sexuality.

 

[Winter]

"Having positive representation can only succeed in changing the conditions of life for trans people when it is part of a much broader movement for social change." - Susan Stryker, Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen (2020)

I watched Netflix's Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen yesterday and it is very apt for this discussion on representation. Highly recommend everyone to watch the docu-film, if possible.

Representation today has definitely grown a long way from when it was a decade ago, but it is not enough. A lot of representational efforts these days are still shackled to and operate within the gaze of the cisheteropatriarchy. LGBTQ+ representation means nothing if LGBTQ+ do not have access to basic human rights. Same goes for representations of mental illness, race, etc.There needs to be an intersectional approach to representation, otherwise the attempt at representation simply becomes tokenist/assimilationist (e.g. "oh look we have one (1) <insert minority label> here so we aren't problematic").

 

[Ys]

If you want representation look at Glee. It has everything. In fact, it explicitly focuses on minorities. You want jews? Check. You want blacks? Check. You want LGBT, check. Though, the trans character isn't explored as much. You want someone with down syndrome? Check. In later seasons it focuses less on minorities as such and more on the main cast's lives after school. But even then it mentions some things.

On Once Upon A Time there's a couple of lesbian couples/crushes.