When I was little, I had divorced parents, a pretty small family, and I remember absolutely loving movies, TV shows, and stories that didn’t have a typical family setup; Lilo and Stitch, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Harry Potter are some examples that stand out in my memories.
These all showed that a different type of family, other than a mom and dad and siblings all in one house, was still good and normal. I didn’t know at the time why it was so relieving to watch these types of movies, I just felt drawn to the stories more than with other movies. As I’ve gone on with my life, I have always noticed when stories have families that aren’t like all the other ones because I can see my own family in them.
This representation of something out of the norm was really important to me, even if I didn’t realize why at the time, but representation of any group not usually depicted is really important for everyone. Seeing yourself in stories and in people can be moving and empowering. The media and entertainment you consume shapes how you think people should act, look, and interact with others.
There is a huge lack of representation in media, and there is a particularly huge lack of celebration and appreciation of representative media. The Academy Awards have historically been really, really white, and really, really full of testosterone. However, this year’s nominees and winners broke a lot of records.
Greta Gerwig was nominated for Best Director and is only the fifth woman to have been nominated. Mary J. Blige became the only person ever that was nominated for performance and original song in the same year.
Rachel Morrison was the first woman to ever be nominated for cinematography. Jordan Peele is the third person to have been nominated for best picture, writing, and director for his first feature film. Peele was also only the fifth black man to be nominated for best director, and the first to actually win.
Even though all of these record were broken this year, it’s still 2018. The Academy has existed for 90 years. In 90 years, only five women have been nominated for best director. It took 90 years for a black man to win best director. Outside of the Oscars, 2017/18, in general, has actually been pretty revolutionary for representation, especially in film.
Wonder Woman premiered in June, 2017 as the first superhero movie that was about a female superhero AND it was directed by a female. Immediately, pictures flooded the internet of children posing as Wonder Woman who could now see how strong and brave they could be.
Another feature film that had a big impact was Black Panther. Since it was released in February, 2018, it has crushed every box office office expectation. Black Panther has continued to make box office history. It was the fifth biggest opening weekend of all time, the biggest solo superhero launch, biggest opening weekend for a person of color, and the list could go on.
Showing powerful and strong Africans in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a big step. Everyone who had never seen themselves as a superhero, now very easily could. It isn’t just King T’Challa who is a role model, but almost every single supporting character in Black Panther is an icon. #wakandaforever
In March, 2018, Love, Simon came out (get it?) in theaters nationwide, which showed the struggles of coming out, even when your life may seem normal in every way. This was one of the first times a queer love story was told on the big screen everywhere.
The love interest in this movie came out in real life after filming Love, Simon. This movie gave lots of people the courage to come out, and in some stories on Twitter, changed perspectives of people who didn’t support the LGBTQ+ community.
I use examples of movies because they see the biggest audiences, and often gain the most attention. But visibility in TV shows, music, and books has been increasing, and is also very important.
Being able to see yourself in a character who is brave, loving, powerful, good, and a good leader is so important, for everyone. Having diversity in the entertainment that is produced and consumed is vital to making sure that any kid, when they turn on the TV, or read story, can find a character who is just like them.
Emma Farina
Opinions Columnist