Title: Where Am I? How A Lack Of Representation In Media Is Harmful To College Students | Her Campus
Headings: Where Am I? How A Lack Of Representation In Media Is Harmful To College Students
Where Am I? How A Lack Of Representation In Media Is Harmful To College Students
Sunahtah Jones (USF)
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Content: However, lack of representation has extremely adverse effects on the community, especially youth like college students. The reason why a lack of representation is not important to many is because it is heavily normalized and plays a large role in the oppression of marginalized groups for several reasons. According to a study by Indiana University, it was found that the representation of minorities in the media is very scarce, however, when racial minorities are placed in a role, they are often placed in a role that perpetuates racial stereotypes. This depiction of people who identify with racial minority groups is extremely harmful because it lowers self-esteem, and perpetuations racial discrimination and stereotypes as well. The study also found the self-esteem of all youth, except white boys, is lowered by the harmful lack of representation in media (Indiana University, 2012). For example, the film Exodus: Gods and Kings, with famous actor Christian Bale, which was released in 2014, cause extreme controversy because of its lack of representation. Although the movie was based on a biblical story based in Egypt, Africa, majority of the characters were white. All too often, stories derived from people of color are white washed in the media, this is harmful because it erases the culture and contributions of people of color, while also taking away opportunities from actors and actresses of color who can illustrate the history accurately. In addition to the lack of representation of minorities, the lack of representation of disabled people and the LGBTQ community is equally harmful.