Diversify the Media and Media Bias

Do you think that media and casting productions are diverse and inclusive? Whether it’s your favorite movie, television program, or streaming series, we all participate in some form of media on a constant basis. Examples include movies and special programming for kids, sports channels marketed mainly to men, and everything from daytime TV to your local news. The most commonly shared type of media is film. Films have been around for centuries, with the first short film dating back to 1895 and evolving from there.

Films are viewed on various platforms and represent an endless variety of narratives that the world has to offer. We must acknowledge that the United States has always taken pride in being a melting pot for all nationalities—until President Trump. One would presume that casting and production for these programs would truly reflect the world we live in. Yet, the financing behind these productions often comes from white males in suits, who have not consistently shared that vision.

The aim of this discussion is to highlight the need for diversity and inclusivity in media and casting productions, particularly with regard to film. Diversity is defined in the Cambridge University Dictionary as ‘the condition of having or being composed of differing elements: variety; especially: the inclusion of different types of people in a group or organization.’ Meanwhile, the Cambridge University Dictionary defines inclusivity as ‘the quality of trying to include many different types of people and treating them all fairly and equally.’

Although films have been around since 1895, it wasn’t until 1925 that the first black actor received featured screen credit in a film. Productions have a history of excluding people of color–not least due to prevalent racial discrimination throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Flash forward hundreds of years, and one might expect that things would have changed by now. Yet, instances that reveal a lack of diversity and inclusivity continue to occur. Data from an USA Today article states, “In the Academy Awards’ 88-year history, only 14 black actors have won acting Oscars—the first was Hattie McDaniel for ‘Gone with the Wind’ in 1940, and the most recent was Lupita Nyong’o (who was born in Mexico) for ’12 Years a Slave’ in 2014. The winners’ pool is even shallower for other minorities. A mere five Latino actors have won awards (most recently, Benicio Del Toro for ‘Traffic’ in 2001). Just three actors of Asian descent have won (the last was Haing S. Ngor in 1985 for ‘The Killing Fields’). Likewise, the only Indigenous acting winner in history is Cherokee-Irish actor Ben Johnson (for ‘The Last Picture Show’ in 1972).”

In 2016, the trending hashtag #OscarsSoWhite prompted widespread controversy. According to a Vanity Fair write-up, “One January morning in 2015, April Power noticed that this year’s Oscar nominations hinted at no diversity, with not a single person of color featuring in any of the lead- or supporting-actor categories. She tweeted, “#OscarsSoWhite, they asked to touch my hair.” This hashtag rapidly went viral and sparked an ongoing movement.” The Oscar is one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry, coveted by actors, producers, and directors. Unfortunately, people who don’t adhere to the typical blue-eyed, blonde-hair American ideal often don’t get the same opportunities to win, regardless of their commitment and hard work. This demonstrates the continuing disparity in our current climate, where people of color don’t receive the same recognition as their white counterparts.

The call for diversity and inclusivity is straightforward: to achieve equality and fairness for everyone, regardless of their backgrounds. We need to preserve our cultures by providing a platform for their representation. Despite being a “melting pot”, the United States’ films rarely offer an accurate depiction of its diverse demographics. It’s not enough to simply tolerate differences; they must be celebrated. The exclusion of minority show creators and actors in film and television needs rectifying, as there are countless missed opportunities. Ideas pitched and deemed feasible need decision making devoid of biases.

Diversity and inclusivity in media are vital for our nation’s progress. Societal growth stems from comprehending and embracing each other’s differences. Creators need to realize that accurate, diverse representation helps people feel included. Stories should be narrated through a variety of lenses; people of color and other marginalized communities want to experience the same sense of societal belonging as white males do. Without this necessary perspective shift, the media will always lack true diversity and inclusivity.

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