Conclusion
Equal representation offers a world for a diverse world to look up to or learn from. Whether it be a young kid sitting at home watching TV or an adult going to a Midnight premiere, every person deserves an inspiration or a learning experience.
A Summary
![Picture](/uploads/8/0/8/9/80891930/420bf962807a1caa771abd72b02777fe.jpg?144)
Black Women in today's media are considered to be misrepresented. When it comes to self esteem, prejudice, or societal outlooks on reality, the media has a hand in it. It is important these these images and representation be uplifting, open-minded, and diverse because of their influence. According to Cartier (2015), "It is, for some, the only close and personal view of Black females they will ever experience, rendering these characterizations critical regarding their purpose and intent and the resulting outcomes of such," (pp. 131). This statement can be true for many different people. Whether it be for a CEO that hires employees, or an adolescent coming of age, these visuals can have negative effects of interpretations of and behaviors in reality.
Going a step further.
Black Women face oppression in many areas of the media. Film and television are only two sources. Plenty of research and analysis that needs to be done on other outlets such as: video games, the news, music, and many others. I encourage others to expand this discussion. For example: how exactly do music videos portray and effect Black Women in America?
Even further steps.
Broadening this subject opens the discussion about the representation of other minority groups. Black Men and children's portrayal in tv and film weren't discussed in this researched argument. Also, did you know that: in the 100 top grossing films of 2014, "Moviegoers were almost as likely to see an other-worldly female as they were to see a Latina or Asian female character," (2015). These numbers propose that Latinas and Asians also face underrepresentation in the media. Does it make sense that, in film, the chances of seeing a fictional character (such as an alien) is similar to the likelihood of seeing a realistic Latina or Asian female character? Think about all of the representation for different cultures and nationalities that is missing from mainstream media.
To the Furthest of Steps.
Think of our media like this: If all you were an alien species, a person of the future, or a superior being reflecting on your creation, and all you had to reference these times were popular films and tv shows, how would you interpret our society? What do you think would be left out of this presentation? The vast answers to these questions are the solutions of what needs to be included in the media.
Adults, especially those raised in sheltered or close-minded environments, need to be reminded that it is healthy for different types of people to exist. This reminder is often done in movies and tv. Some people can't afford to travel the world to learn about a person with a different culture or lifestyle. Some kids never have to worry about racial conflicts and barriers in life. Television and film offer a world of education for people willing to learn; however, watching a video does not mean a person will fully encompass what it means live a life different from theirs. It just spreads awareness and attempts to inform the ignorant.
Adults, especially those raised in sheltered or close-minded environments, need to be reminded that it is healthy for different types of people to exist. This reminder is often done in movies and tv. Some people can't afford to travel the world to learn about a person with a different culture or lifestyle. Some kids never have to worry about racial conflicts and barriers in life. Television and film offer a world of education for people willing to learn; however, watching a video does not mean a person will fully encompass what it means live a life different from theirs. It just spreads awareness and attempts to inform the ignorant.