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What role do media and entertainment play in perpetuating or combating racism and discrimination?

Shonda Tweedy

As a user of social media, I believe that media and entertainment play a crucial role in perpetuating or combating racism and discrimination. The media has the power to create and maintain stereotypes or to challenge them, shaping perceptions and attitudes towards different races, ethnicities, cultures, and identities. Entertainment, through its representation of diverse characters and stories, can promote understanding, empathy, and inclusivity, or reinforce harmful and narrow-minded beliefs.

Unfortunately, racism and discrimination are still widespread in our society, and media and entertainment have not always been on the right side of history. Examples of blatant and subtle racism can be found in TV shows, movies, and video games, perpetuating harmful narratives and reinforcing prejudices. For instance, a study conducted by the Media, Diversity & Social Change Initiative at the University of Southern California found that in the top 100 grossing films of 2019, only 17% of speaking characters were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, and only 3% were portrayed as LGBT. This lack of representation and diversity can lead to a silencing and erasure of marginalized identities, fostering a sense of exclusion and inferiority.

However, social media has also been a powerful tool for activism and awareness-raising, allowing individuals and groups to share their experiences and perspectives, and reach wider audiences than traditional media. Hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, or #SayHerName, have brought attention to the systemic violence and discrimination faced by Black people, women, and other marginalized groups, sparking conversations and mobilization online and offline.

Moreover, social media platforms can also facilitate the creation and circulation of alternative content, challenging dominant and harmful narratives. For example, Black creators on TikTok have used the app to showcase their dances, music, and culture, reclaiming their visibility and rewriting the standards of beauty and excellence.

In conclusion, media and entertainment can perpetuate or combat racism and discrimination, depending on who is behind the camera, the microphone, or the keyboard. As users of social media, we have a responsibility to consume and share content that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to call out and boycott content that perpetuates stereotypes and prejudices. We can also support and amplify the voices of marginalized creators, who are often underrepresented and undervalued in the mainstream media. Together, we can use the power of media and entertainment to create a more equitable and just world.