Representation
What is it? Why does it matter? What to do about it?
Representation, in the context of art, is the way that any group is portrayed in literature, film, television, or any other medium of artistic expression. While representation is rightly championed for marginalized and oppressed groups - often regarding race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion - it also encompasses how countless underrepresented voices outside of, and intersecting with, those groups are portrayed as well: veterans, immigrants, those with physical disabilities or mental illness, etc.
***
It is inherently vital, for any writer who strives to elevate their craft to the highest level, to understand representation. It is not about political correctness, but rather telling more full and varied stories that accurately and deeply reflect the world around us. It is about reaching readers who want to engage but who may find themselves omitted from the art they consume, and their truths erased instead of honored or treated with nuance. Art offers mirrors and windows: mirrors to reflect one’s self and windows to see into someone else’s experience. Introspecting on how we, as authors, can foster inclusivity in our writing can bridge those gaps - by standing in solidarity with marginalized voices, while enriching the stories that are produced.
***
Between 2011 & 2017 less than 10% of Hollywood show creators were minorities, while the publishing industry, today, is 84% white. These stats suggest that much of the art consumed today is influenced and shaped by white writers who are subsequently also shaping and defining the portrayal of minority and underrepresented characters. The power of artistic representation is invaluable in shaping culture as former Vice President Joe Biden once suggested, claiming the TV show “Will & Grace”s ability to reduce homophobia in the collective American consciousness. The idea of art shaping culture is not lost on noted Religious Scholar Reza Aslan, who believes TV centering around Muslim families can help America’s understanding of Muslim families at a far better rate than Academia.
***
The looming pressure of achieving nuanced, deeply-researched and in-good faith representation of groups to which a writer does not belong should not be avoided or omitted because the writer worries that they are not part of the group they seek to create a character from. If you are that writer, and you are worried - good. It means you care. That’s the first step, because that worry is not an excuse to drop your pack.
***
Representation is not just something for white writers, either. Any writer who is writing an ‘other‘ [a minority group they’re not a part of] should be purposeful in their craft.
***
There is more to say regarding the systemic issues within the culture-shaping industries (TV & Film, publishing, etc.) and their investment in whiteness: those in positions of authority and privilege have obligations to change the system. This page, however, will deal with what the individual writer can do - during the act of creation - to more accurately and thoroughly write any character with which they may not relate, while doing right by the real communities which that character may be sourced from.
Going forward, consider the following points:
All of your characters should be completely three dimensional, regardless of their positionality.
Write about communities of which you are not a part of in good faith, after heavy research and with nuance.
For an in-depth outline of the research process for writing an “other”: See this comprehensive Reddit Post
When revising: make use of sensitivity readers or those of the groups you are trying to write from, and listen.
***
Check out the resources down below for navigating tropes and learning new things!
My favorite blog on “writing & resources centered on racial & ethnic diversity” with a great recommendations page as well. Click the picture and check it out!
Writing the Other: A Practical Approach
“A the manual that […] discusses basic aspects of characterization and offers elementary techniques, practical exercises, and examples for helping writers create richer and more accurate characters with differences."
Check it out Here.