Diversity in Media

Kyra Barksdale
kb764715@ohio.edu

Diversity in Media

This topic is huge when dealing with mass media because this is how all our information is transported throughout society. Diversity is so important because it allows the different views of all people be represented and limits the amount of stereotypes society has. The way a person sees the world based on their personal beliefs and experiences differs. If mass media didn't incorporate diversity, there would be havoc chaos because no one person is the exact same and every person may have a different perspective.

A study titled, "Inclusion or Invincibility? Comprehensive Annenberg Report on Diversity in the Entertainment," stated that one-third of speaking characters are female, when in fact women represent just over half the population in the United States. Just a little over half of the characters with dialogue were racial/ethnic groups, when in fact such groups are about 40 percent of the population. This is showing that not much diversity is being incorporated in mass media.

Let's take a look at the infamous hashtag, #OscarsSoWhite. This controversy was brought to light during the 2016 Academy Awards because minorities felt like they're weren't being well represented and didn't highlight diversity at the Oscars. In all honesty, being a black female and growing up watching awards shows, the Oscars was one of those things were I felt like it was more geared to non minorities and minorities who deserved the award weren't getting it. I never witnessed a minority host, performance, nominations etc.

Source: Liliana Sedano | Daily Trojan

When watching TV, mostly men are portrayed as doctors and women are portrayed as nurses. In fact, there are many men nurses and women doctors in the world. It's important to know that a lot of people learn and follow what they see. So, when the media is constantly allowing stereotypes this brings an increase in the lack of diversity. They start to believe that men are only good at being doctors and women will only be good at being the second highest, nurses. This tells a false story and stereotypes shouldn't be shown in the media.

In the articles, "Black Lives Matter in the News" It states how research about stories related to African-Americans are always being associated with poverty and crime and when that happens racial animosity increases. I agree with Richardson when she said, "Every journalist should share a responsibility for coverage of race." Race is so important because that's is one of the things that makes up diversity. We can't only bring up race when an injustice happens, this topic needs to be addressed on a consistent basis because who's going to tell the news if we don't demand and support it. 

Lastly, one of our amendments says we have a right to the freedom of free speech. In a society, where so many things are happening and changing on a very broad span, it important to hear out everyone's opinions, no matter how right or wrong you think they are. Everyone deserves to be heard and speak there mind. Diversity is a huge part that needs to be played in mass media. Being treated equally and fairly will make society better as a whole.