Representation-It Matters!
by amanda neumann
Why is accurate and diverse representation in the media
important? Because how the media portrays groups of people
contributes to the overall societal understanding of said
groups; and, just as importantly, how member of groups
see themselves and their place in society. The first place
children see themselves reflected is on television and,
unfortunately, if you’re not a white, cisgender, heterosexual,
able-bodied, upper class male you’re probably going to have a
skewed understanding of who and what you should be. Diverse
representation is important because our world is not as onedimensional as the media depicts.
So who’s not being represented? As Maysoon Zayid said in
her 2013 TED talk, “People with disabilities are the largest
minority in the world, and we are the most underrepresented
in entertainment.” This rings true in every form of media. It
shouldn’t be surprising that American Horror Story cast an
actor with disabilities, Jamie Brewer, as a main character in
multiple seasons. It shouldn’t be groundbreaking that Call the
Midwife cast actors with disabilities, Colin Young and Sarah
Gordy, to play characters with their actual disabilities.
It should cause outrage when able-bodied actors are cast
as characters with disabilities (the examples here are
limitless). We need positive representation of disability in
the media in order to create a culture that appreciates and
respects diversity.