Women In The Media

Salutations. I have an understanding that you have worked very diligently in the media and have contributed quite an effort into its portrayal of the modern society today. However, I do have quite an issue that I have been meaning to tackle with the businesses in the media. I have been noticing that there is quite a lack of diversity in the media; the most prominent race of actors, actresses, models, and so forth is mostly white. In addition, the most prominent gender of the people in this criteria is dominantly male. In contrast, when producers and directors include people of color, they are not portrayed appropriately; often, the roles they may have are stereotypical roles of their ethnicity. Furthermore, I propose that filmmakers begin casting
those of different genders, races, sexualities; and for them to have more suitable roles.
Although some casting directors may approve a person of color for a certain role, they are often portrayed as a stereotype of that race; and often times, they are part of the subordinate characters in the story line. Also, statistics have shown that in the top 100 grossing films of 2012, people of color only make up a small minority of the windswept movies. A source, Youth Radio, have gained the statistics of a study by USC, a private university in Southern California. According to the article, the following states, “According to a study by USC, ‘across 100 top-grossing films of 2012, only 10.8 percent of speaking characters are black, 4.2 percent are Hispanic, 5 percent are Asian, and 3.6 percent are from other (or mixed) ethnicities.’ The same study noted the lack of positive roles assigned to the few people of color (POC) characters. The roles written often perpetuate stereotypes, whether it is the sassy, independent black woman, the spicy Latina maid, or the nerdy and emotionless Asian student.” Out of the variety of different actors and actresses in the study, only 23.6 percent of them are people of color. The remaining 76.4 percent are all white; and why is that? Directors, filmmakers, producers, and staff members should look for people who have a powerful voice and a special skill in acting, dancing, singing, and so forth. Roles assigned to characters does not particularly have to be white, unless the film is a movie adaptation and the character is explicitly white. But, that does not mean that people of color cannot be part of the supporting roles. However, there is a disclaimer for people of color who do partake in these roles. Sometimes, their races and ethnicities will be publicly mocked and stereotyped upon in the film they are producing. In media, labeling and stereotyping should be removed. Why? Because in the media, everything is an act. Entertainment involves acting; therefore, these aspiring actors and actresses should be able to act as something or someone they are completely not. People with niches for acting should be easily adapted to the content they are required to make, changing their entire personality to become the character. So, couldn’t an Asian play the independent and confident woman? Can’t Hispanics be the brains of the operation? Can’t African Americans become the protagonist of the story? If the businesses in the media are going to hire people of color, please hire more of them and portray positive roles, not the stereotypical roles.

Similarly, discrimination in the media is not centered around those of different cultures and backgrounds.
Women of any race can face certain situations where they are the minority. In another study made by USC, the conductors of the study had found results regarding the impact of women and people of color in films. The source, NPR, has stated, “The study [of Hollywood workers and actors], titled, ‘Inclusion or Invisibility? Comprehensive Annenberg Report on Diversity and Entertainment,’ found just one-third of speaking characters were female (33.5 percent), despite the fact that women represent just over half the population in America.” Women in America make up half of the population, so why is only 33.5 percent of these women represented? Women in America have also struggled, just like men. They have worked hard, just like men. So, why do films mainly capture around men? Women should obtain an equal opportunity for success as men; whether it be acting, directing, painting, hospitality, medical field, etc. I am not saying that women are particularly better than men, but rather women should receive just as many equal roles and opportunities as men. To resolve this issue, the study’s authors have suggested solutions to the problem. In the same article by NPR, it states, “The study’s authors also suggest solutions for the lack of diversity, including creating target goals for inclusion that would be public and drawing up lists of potential hires for writing and directing jobs
that would be 50 percent female…” For those women who are reserved, the author has suggested potential hires for writing and directing jobs, with half female. If females enter this industry, movies will be more relatable to more audiences. Females can relate to the female characters, since the producers will have more insight on how women typically manage. Because of this, sales may have an opportunity to go up, since the movie will be more relevant to a larger audience. In conclusion, females should also be part of much more media as a whole and in a larger sense. There are a lot of opportunities in the media, thus hiring more women will give men a viewpoint on how women feel and manage.

In the final analysis, there has been quite a lack of diversity in the media pertaining to ethnicity and gender.
Studies that have been conducted by USC have stated that around 25 percent of actors and actresses in films are people of color and around 33.5 percent of actors and actresses in films are female. Thus, there has been a gigantic overwhelming factor of white men in the arts. I do not wish to belittle those who are esteemed in the arts, but I do wish that there is a diversity and variety of actors that everybody could relate to. When I was little, there was not a single character that I could see myself in. However, I do want to create more diversity in entertainments; one where there is a diverse cast, one where little girls can find role models, one where everybody of different ethnicities and social levels could relate to. Every idea has to start somewhere. Ideas must have a firm base and starting points to fully achieve the maximum success and prosperity. So, to start my plan, it must begin with a much more open minded staff. When you hire a person of color, do not just hire them for the necessity of a stereotype the ethnicity portrays. Hire them for their potential and skill in the arts; assign more appropriate and positive roles rather than the stereotypical roles that social media has affected. In addition to hiring people of color, consider hiring women. Women make up half of the U.S. population; as a result, more of these job opportunities should be open to
females. Roles and characters could be assigned to women, and not just the sexist roles. Women and people of color are capable of anything; ranging from the ecstatic kindergarten teacher to the crime fighting superhero of the night. Sequentially, females and people of color can also be part of the film crew. Obtaining such a variety of crew members can contribute to the effectiveness and sensibility that the movie plot portrays. Audiences of every background will be able to relate to more and more characters, rather than the typical characters on an overly dramatic TV show. Furthermore, this type of change will positively affect those who may be in the minority of the dominant white men fad. Different perspectives and emotions will be more detailed and understandable with such different backgrounds clashing and colliding. I believe that there will be a much larger positive impact in the media that could even spread worldwide, since more voices will be heard. So, please join me in making this dream a reality.