Since its premiere in 1994, the TV sitcom Friends has earned millions of dollars for its creators and cast. However, in recent years, the white homogeneity of its central characters has been placed under the spotlight. With the co-creator of the series announcing that she will donate $4 million to fund African and African American Studies, let us examine why on-screen representation matters now more than ever.

 

Representation helps us find a sense of place

According to the US Census Bureau, 59.3 percent of Americans are white and non-Hispanic while 18.9 percent are Hispanic or Latino, 13.6 percent are Black or African American, and 6.1 percent are Asian. Yet, when watching mainstream media, the vast majority of actors are white and non-Hispanic and you can often find white actors portraying colored characters.

 

Most of the time, underrepresented people come from marginalized groups who face systemic discrimination and microaggressions daily. When characters on the screen cater to the homogenous majority, the underrepresented feel that their stories and perspectives are not only less important but that their daily struggles are silenced and ignored.

 

Whether it is a superhero like Black Panther or gay high school students trying to find their way through life in Glee, it matters that we can see people who look like ourselves in positive roles. Media representation fosters a sense of normalcy and belonging. It reminds us that there are others like us and that society has a place for us.

 

Representation breaks stereotypes

Too often, what passes as representation is negative. Characters portraying people from marginalized groups are given predictable and problematic traits that reinforce harmful stereotypes. For instance, white people are cast as police officers while Black people are cast as criminals—a dangerous stereotype that is complicit in countless real-life casualties.

 

And it is not only race in question. Gender representation is similarly problematic in much of mainstream media with women being cast as eye candy with scant clothing and an even scanter contribution to the plots. From King Kong to James Bond, beautiful women have been used ad nauseum as mere movie props for heroes to swoop in and rescue.

 

Proper representation breaks this mold of shallow typecasting. It allows space for different people to take on multifaceted roles that reflect the lives that real people lead. Through challenging stereotypes, representation can help audiences expand their understanding and allow the people that they typecast to envision opportunities outside of their prescribed roles.

 

Representation brings perspective

We travel and watch television to experience things that are interesting and new to us. When a single group of people creates the media that we consume, the limited point of view does little to expand our horizons. Diverse casts and characters bring creativity, vibrancy, and unique perspectives that allow us to grow and learn as we are entertained.

 

Media is a powerful platform. When marginalized groups are empowered to speak their truth to the world, the effects extend far beyond the screen. As audiences watch stories from different perspectives, they build the capacity to reassess their worldviews and become more aware of existing inequalities. This transformed perspective can help to change society for the better.

 

Representation creates opportunities

When we center representation in the media, we also center the people that create this media. Today, it is no longer acceptable for an actor to portray someone of a different, marginalized race. Likewise, it is not okay to have a movie or TV series that features a full white cast. Therefore, people of color are gaining access to job opportunities that they were previously denied.

 

Representation matters behind the camera as well. Diversity and inclusion initiatives are being extended to the cast and crew. Companies are taking care not to exclude people of color, LGBTQ, and people with disabilities from job opportunities. With show creators and writers coming from diverse backgrounds, inclusion improves and communities are uplifted.

 

When is representation not enough?

Representation is a hot topic and media platforms are hopping on the bandwagon. But, instead of putting in the actual work, many shows are resorting to tokenism. Most non-white or non-heterosexual characters are still confined to bit roles—or worse, comic relief. Such superficial casting choices are far from representative and can do more harm than good.

 

Similarly, media depictions that reinforce stereotypes can negatively impact identity development and add to the frustrations of marginalized groups. Representation must be genuine and intentional. It should come from a place of understanding and experience. Hence, any representation of a marginalized group must be written by someone with the same credentials.

 

The ultimate goal of representation is equity. People from all walks of life should be empowered to represent their identity groups and gain a rightful share of voice in the media. By appointing marginalized people into senior positions, media groups can ensure that they develop diverse and inclusive programs and content that create a culture of belonging.

 

Representation will be enough when we no longer have to think about it as a deliberate act but a natural one. Until then, we should continue to build up the visibility of marginalized people by portraying as many authentic examples of them as we can.