Diversity: the state or face of being diverse; difference; unlikeness; variety; multiformity; point of difference.[1] Even the definition of diversity gives you a variety of different answers. In a society where we have various ethnic groups and so many resources, it’s hard to believe that there’s minimal representation of diversity in entertainment.
In Entertainment Weekly’s analysis of ethnic groups on television, they showed that all the major network broadcasters, program a bigger population of Caucasians, than the actual percentage in the United States (66.2%). [2] The average percentage of whites shown between all the broadcasters is 74.2%, which is 8% more than the entire population.[3] Unfortunately, there is no increase of representation for the other ethnic groups such as Blacks, Latino/Hispanics, Asians, American Indian/Alaska Natives, and Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders. Of course those ethnic groups are minorities, but there are also minorities of the minorities such as Arabs.
Arabs presence is almost non-existent in television, unless for criminals, which can easily be played by other ethnic groups. The same could be said of Native Indians, if they are shown it’s there stereotypical image, like the Arabs. Those scenes are typically of them in Native attire dancing to tribal music, drums banging in the background.
These images are humiliating and inaccurate. Diversity matters tremendously for many reasons, one of them being the social learning theory. This theory explains that “children learn about themselves and the world around them from observing others”. [4] Television has a huge impact on their behaviour, attitude, and impression of other racial groups and their own group. If the portrayals on racial groups are one sided and negative, in almost every case the child will leave with that impression. With that impression in mind, it can affect how they socialize, and how they treat others.
We’re a diverse society and we’re only going to get more diverse. It’s not rational, realistic or helpful to continue to portray one side as the perfect superior side, and the other as the negative inferior side. There are serious consequences that come out of that, such as an increase in the crime rate. When two groups are constantly put against each other like black vs. white, native vs. white than it will absolutely play out the same way in real life.
Another reason why diversity matters in entertainment is because in most cases the entertainment industry exemplifies beauty. It’s where we look to see new trends and good-looking people. However, if only one kind of woman or man is put on our screens on every show, and they’re acting, dressing, moving the same way than it eliminates many people. We don’t all look the same, have the same jobs, or were brought up the same way. There is no universal version of beauty, occupation, family, friends, or life.
Everyone has different jobs, different families and friends, and look differently. Some look great with big eyes, and some don’t. Some look great with small eyes, and some don’t. We all can’t have the same combination of traits that looks good. Different traits look better on different people. Yet the entertainment industry bombards us with the image of similar looking people.
Again it’s unrealistic and ignores many people. If you don’t see anyone that looks like you, or is referred to in negatively because of their appearance eventually it will affect how you look at yourself. We’ve seen this time and time again; a perfect example is blond women. When all you see is blond and blue eyes, and they have the lead roles, are the love interests and garner the attention, girls will start to believe they must have blond hair and blue eyes. The same could be said about men and their bodies. It’s easy to believe that if you have a strong, muscular, lean body then you’ll have a happier life filled with respect and women. But this is not the case at all, and not everyone can look like that, nor should they.
Hollywood producers need to broaden their views of how characters should be played. Casting calls shouldn’t be so limited, because it leaves so many people out. We need different people, playing different roles, and the best way to do that is give them an opportunity. Let someone fight and display their ability to play that character before looking at their image. Give people opportunity to step into unfamiliar territory, the rewards might be bigger than the risk.
[1] “Diversity definition” Dictionary.com, April 29, 2009. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diversity
[2] “TV’s Great Black Hope” Entertainment Weekly online article. Jennifer Armstrong, Margeaux Watson.
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20206185,00.html
[3] “TV’s Great Black Hope” Entertainment Weekly online article. Jennifer Armstrong, Margeaux Watson.
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20206185,00.html
[4] “Why it Matters...Diversity on Television” Children Media Now, April 23, 2009.
http://breeze.hwdsb.on.ca/diversitymatters/
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