Notes from the Creator
Our lives are constantly bombarded by media, and we are often told how to think of other people. Specifically, corporate media ridiculously and unfairly portrays different identities. I chose to do this piece because I feel like this is a message that NEEDS to be heard. Everyone needs to realize how out of control corporate media is, and how identities are wrongly portrayed.
Accurate representation is extremely important. Even though diverse identities may be present in the media, they are often shown in negative and ill-fitting portrayals which have repercussions that ripple across our whole society, affecting our daily lives. Corporate media’s heavy influence on minority representation bleeds and ripples into other industries due to its influence on the public.
I hope this piece serves as a call to action for everyone to stand united and speak out about media representation. We deserve portrayals of ourselves that are diverse, beautiful, respectful, and positive. The Internet, and media, needs to revert to a democratic space where the voices of the marginalized can be heard. This piece is meant to show there is still hope and we aim to inspire those who feel lost in our overwhelmingly negative world. Further, I hope this piece shows the power that we have when we stand united and support each other.
Please utilize some of the resources I have listed. I hope we can communicate the importance of this issue through our performance. Thank you for checking out our performance page!
- Kevin Eberle, Creative Lead
Podcasts
Podcasts are a great way to stay up to date on social issues and improper representation in media. Whether you are at the gym or on your way to work, you can listen to them anywhere!
Here are some great podcasts on different topics:
Misc. (Social Justice)
- Four former Obama aides co-host this podcast with guest politicians, comedians, activists, and journalists to discuss politics, the press, and challenges posed by the Trump presidency
Super Serious Social Justice Podcast
- Focuses on social justice in a light and approachable way, a good podcast for people who are uncomfortable with heavy topics but want to stay updated on social justice.
- Highlights social justice successes around the world as they happen.
Women’s Rights
- A podcast with a focus on people and their relationship to the internet, but host Emma Gannon is a huge feminist and has many strong, creative women on the show to discuss women’s rights. Highlights having a presence on the internet from a female perspective.
- Their name is an effort to oppose slut-shaming, and It is about two girls who come together to discuss sex trafficking, politics, and women’s rights. They feature and have featured multiple strong female guests such as Amber Rose.
- Two female editors come together to discuss books, movies, TV, and media as it portrays women.
People of Color
- A podcast where two women of color discuss pop culture, unjust treatment of women of color, feminisim, and cultural appropriation.
- Two black media perspectives discuss pop culture, hip-hop issues, and racial issues.
POC (Podcast of Color)
- Four male people of color come together to discuss racial issues, social justice, and pop culture.
- An award winning program that empowers people to navigate the complexities of diversity and champion inclusion. Anything regarding the Latinx community is discussed.
- This podcast discusses Latinx immigrants and offers hope if they feel they are missing a piece of their cultural identity. More current podcasts discuss DACA and the decisions being made in Congress.
- A podcast completely in Spanish telling stories of Latin American authors who do not have platforms to tell them themselves.
LGBT Community
- Stories and conversations about the queer experience today.
- Rupaul, the most famous drag queen in the world, discusses issues addressing liberty and freedom and often has notable advocates/celebrities as guests on the podcast.
- A podcast focused solely on the transgender community and issues within it.
- Co-hosted by Dan and Brenden Davis, 2 gay males, to discuss reality tv shows and life.
- Bryan Safi and Erin Gibson bring light to issues in the LGBT community and social justice while bringing humor to each episode.
Mental Health
Mad in America: Science, psychiatry, and social Justice
- Podcast focusing on Mental Health Care and psychiatric prescription drugs
- Podcast showcasing the reality of our mental state day to day and highlights pain, awkwardness, and our humanity.
- Two women from metro.co.uk come together to dscuss different mental illnesses and things that effect mental health.
- Multiple guests appear on the show, and the show is focused on a variety of mental illnesses and mental health.
If you don’t see anything here for you, keep looking on your own! There are thousands of podcasts out there and there is one for you somewhere!
Representation
Proper representation MATTERS! Further, SUPPORTING proper representation matters! If we come together and support proper minority representation/activism, we will start seeing proper representation in movies, television, and the media. One way you can help with this is by showing your support for people who represent and speak out for minorities by following them on social media, listening to their music, watching their sports events, or watching their television shows/movies.
Some Notable Representation to Support/Follow (Some People are listed in more than one section)
People of Color
Serena Williams – Professional Tennis Player
Venus Williams – Professional Tennis Player
Simone Manuel – Olympic Swimmer
Michelle Alexander – Author, Civil Rights Advocate
Alicia Garza – Co-creator of Black Lives Matter movement
Patrisse Cullors – Co-creator of Black Lives Matter movement
Opal Tometi – Co-creator of Black Lives Matter movement
Amandla Stenberg – Actress, Activist
Laverne Cox – Actress
Beyoncé – Singer, Dancer, Actress, Activist
Jay Z – Rapper
John Legend – Singer
Zendaya – Singer, Dancer, Actress
Viola Davis – Actress
Trevor Noah – Host, Comedian, Activist
Octavia Spencer – Actress
Chadwick Boseman – Actor
Lupita Nyong’o – Actress
Taraji P. Henson – Actress
Janelle Monáe – Actress
Danai Gurira – Actress
Zoe Saldana – Actress
Lena Waith – Actress
Jennifer Lopez – Actress, Dancer, Singer
Eva Longoria – Actress
Rihanna – Singer, Dancer, Actress
Shakira – Singer, Dancer, Actress
Selena Gomez – Singer, Actress
Bruno Mars – Singer, Activist
Charo – Actress, Comedian, Guitarist
Enrique Iglesias – Singer
Diane Guererro – Author, Actress, Activist
Gina Rodriguez – Actress
Stephanie Beatriz – Actress
Lucy Liu – Actress, Singer
Steven Yeun – Actor
MC Jin – DJ, Performer
Viet Thanh Nguyen – Author
Margaret Cho – Actress, Comedian
John Cho – Actor, Activist
Haley Kiyoko – Singer
Mindy Kaling – Actress, Author
Dev Patel – Actor
Avan Jogia – Actor, Singer
Karan Brar – Actor
Sania Mirza – Professional Tennis Player
Dipa Karmaker – Olympic Gymnast
LGBT Community
Troye Sivan – Singer
Sam Smith – Singer
Stephanie Beatriz – Actress
Ellen DeGeneres – Host, Comedian
Adam Rippon – Olympic Figure Skater
Gus Kenworthy – Olympic Skiier
Tom Daley – Olympic Diver
Janelle Monáe – Actress
Cara Delevigne – Actress, Model
Michael Sam – Former NFL Player
Frank Ocean – Singer
Brittney Griner – Professional Basketball Player
Halsey – Singer
Lily Tomlin – Actress
Kristen Stewart – Actress
Jane Lynch – Actress
Haley Kiyoko – Singer
Ellen Page – Actress
Colton Haynes – Actor
Ruby Rose – Model, Actress
Sarah Paulson – Actress
Rosie O’Donnell – Actress, Comedian
Portia De Rossi – Actress
Ricky Martin – Singer
Adam Lambert – Singer
Neil Patrick Harris – Actor, Singer
Kehlani – Singer
Empowering Women
Zoe Saldana – Actress
Janelle Monáe – Actress
Lupita Nyong’o – Actress
Zendaya – Singer, Dancer, Actress
Laverne Cox – Actress
Amandla Stenberg – Actress, Activist
Kristin Bell – Actress
Beyoncé – Singer, Dancer, Actress
Patricia Arquette – Actress
Emma Watson – Actress
Amy Poehler – Actress, Comedian
Zooey Deschanel – Actress, Comedian
Cate Blanchett – Actress
Reese Witherspoon – Actress, Advocate
Mindy Kaling – Actress, Author
Ellen Page – Actress, Advocate
Ellen DeGenerous – Host, Comedian
Emily Blunt – Actress
Ariana Grande –Singer, Actress
Angelina Jolie – Actress
Anna Kendrick – Actress, Singer
Alicia Keys – Singer
Jennifer Lopez – Actress, Singer, Dancer
Meryl Streep – Actress, Singer
Gabby Douglas – Olympic Gymnast
Emma Pooley – Olympic Cyclist
Rowan Blanchard – Author, Activist
Diane Guererro – Author, Actress, Activist
Gina Rodriguez – Actress
Lucy Liu – Actress, Singer
Some Online Resources:
LGBT Community
National Ceneter for Transgender Equality
LGBTQ Student Resources & Support
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
Racial Inequality
Gender Inequality
Mental Health
Hotlines:
Eating Disorders Center: 1-888-236-1188
Grief/Loss: 1-800-395-5755
LGBTQIA+ Helpline: 1-800-398-GAYS
Trevor Hotline (LGBT Suicide): 1-866-4-U-TREVOR
S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-2433
