Forced Inclusivity

CALLING CARD

Misrepresentation in the film industry harms the people’s perception of reality

Over the last few decades, casting has become more inclusive and while there are several shows/ movies with unique representation there are some that are done in undignified taste.

Disney’s content has been present in the homes of millions. Though their audience ranges from all ages, their target has always been children, the most impressionable demographic. One of their most diverse shows has been Jessie and the spin-off Bunk’d. In both shows, Disney has a variety in race and ethnicity, but nearly every diverse character is misrepresented.

Cast in both shows, Skai Jackson plays a sassy black girl, Karan Brar plays the unathletic, nerdy Asian. In “Bunk’d” Nina Lu plays a smart asian girl who plays violin and Nathan Arenas, plays the unhygienic hispanic.

According to the Leichtman Research group as of 2019, at least 75% of U.S homes have on demand streaming services (i.e. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and/ or Hulu). Disney+ was not included in that study. by Liy Taliaferro liytaliaferro@gmail.com

Millions of kids are devouring these shows and picking up on these stereotypes because of this distasteful content.

There is always something that someone will take away from the content they’re exposed to. That’s one of the reasons why diversity is so important. If these stereotypes continue to stick to minorities, they will eventually translate to the outside world. Not only does this leave an impression on people that interact with these minorities, but it also leaves a mark on the minorities themselves. If they are constantly being represented in this way, how long until that transfers too? While there a lot of shows that contribute to this problem, there are also shows that try to fix it.

Airing their last episode on April 16, How to Get

Away with Murder had one of the most polished representations of minorities. It had a diverse cast but it didn’t distort realistic representation. The characters had personas more complex than Hollywood’s lazy characterization of them as minorities. The show had a realistic perception of all people represented and has set the standard for accurate representation since it’s first air date in 2013.

Misrepresentation makes characters hard to identify with. Inclusivity with a purpose is important but the lack of depth in character build is twodimensional and distracting from what the world is truly like. (Illustration by Nico Boenitz)

DOWN THE DRAIN

High school is the time for learning new things and finding possible interests, college is the time for buckling down and finding the future. High school classes are purposely required during that time to range from many different subjects and areas so there’s a better chance of finding an interest. Public high school is free and during a time in life where it is necessary to explore different interests. College is neither of those two statements. General education should expire by college.

College is to prepare for going into a specific field and finding a job in that field. It should be about becoming an expert in that field. Money shouldn’t be spent on something that won’t be the main focus of use in everyday life. Many colleges require general education classes that advance skills in English, communication, social science, math and humanities. These are all important skills that make a well-rounded human but not something that should be paid for. These skills need to be taught fully in high school.

College classes are expensive. According to studentloanhero.com, taking into account all types of colleges, the average cost per credit hour is $594. Most people don’t have the funds to take classes that aren’t needed for life after college. It would be time and money saving to get general education in high school.

A solution would be to incorporate the college curriculum of general education into high school classes. This would give students a chance to get those broad skills while not wasting money. To put general education in high school would mean that students would come into college as well-rounded individuals and ready to learn about their studies. by Sydney Ellison sydney.ellison55@gmail.com General education classes in college are a waste of time and money