TV Tuesday: Being Seen

[yourlibrarian]

What does representation in television mean to you? Do you find representation important? When did you feel represented in a TV show?

Comments

[firecat]

I’ve never seen a character with my entire collection of identity labels in a TV show. I’d probably find it terrifying. Most of the time characters with subsets of those labels are mocked or othered.

I enjoy seeing under-represented people (I.e., ppl other than young, thin, cis, het, white Americans). The more the better.

Given the current political climate, I’m worried that the days of peak diversity in TV shows are already over. :(

I also enjoy the kind of representation where the characters’ concerns and motives aren’t all common mainstream ones. As someone without a spouse or kids or much blood family left, shows about mainstream 21st century families with the typical concerns of same make me feel isolated. I still sometimes watch shows about families but I prefer them to have historical or sf/fantasy or non-American settings

[yourlibrarian]

Agreed that the current events in U.S. politics could definitely spill over to entertainment.

I also enjoy the kind of representation where the characters’ concerns and motives aren’t all common mainstream ones.

Yes, I think this is a big reason why family centered shows don't stick with me, even if they're well done.