Diversifying the Media Can Make a Difference
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Diversifying the Media Can Make a Difference Media. Since its formation, it has been the main form of reverence for the world, from children to the elderly. People look up to what they see pictured in the media; it reflects a society’s standards. Recently, the standard for American society has been evolving, deconstructing in a way. However, history has left its mark on the media, displaying a bias in favor of a small percentage of the population: the Caucasian population. It was this bias that has shaped many of the systems the United States is run on today. The new direction the media has been heading in is towards a more, diverse and representative model. With media being such an influential platform, while delivering a message that supports unity and cultural diversity, it may have the effect of weakening the bonds racism and discrimination have on the American public. A Teen Magazine Cover from the 1960s, featuring two teenage girls sporting the latest makeup trends. A Seventeen magazine cover from 2016, featuring Michelle Obama, the first African-American first lady. The famous Kessler twins model for a shoot in the 1960s. Twin models Cipriana and TK Wonder sport their natural hair during a 2015 shoot. A 1930s Popeye the Sailor Man cartoon depicts an Asian man. “Ni Hao Kai-Lan” came out in 2007 as a program similar to Dora the Explorer, aimed at teaching children about the Chinese language and culture. A 1930s cartoon pictures Popeye, a white sailor, as a hero. Teen Titans features the superheroes, Mas y Menos, Spanish-speaking twin brothers, using their powers to make tamales. A 1930s cartoon depicts a stereotypical black man devouring a watermelon. A 2002 episode of “Fairly Oddparents” depicts Timmy (right) and his best friend, A.J. (left) agreeing to work together for a math competition. The first Barbie doll models available for purchase in 1959. The new Barbie doll models available for purchase in 2016. The variety of Barbie dolls available for purchase in the 1960s and early 70s. A small fraction of the variety of Barbie dolls available for purchase today. An African-American boy is asked to pick the baby doll that is “better” to him in the Mamie and Clark doll tests of the 1940s. A little girl plays with a Baby Alive doll designed to reflect her features. Five people of different skin colors form a sign of solidarity with their arms. Works Cited ---. “A.J. (The Smart One) and Timmy (The Fast One)decide to work together.” Fandom, Wikia, nd, http://fairlyoddparents.wikia.com/wiki/Timmy_Turner_and_A.J.. ---. “April 1964 cover with seventeen-year-old Janet Lennon of the Lennon Sisters and the late Annette Funicello.” Pinterest, nd, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/474074298247542603. Bowerman, Mary and Hadley Malcolm. “Meet Barbie: Tall, Petite and Curvy.” USA Today, Mattel, 28 Jan. 2016, https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2016/01/28/barbies-new-shapes-tall- petite-and-curvy/79449784/. ---. “Doll Test.” LDF, 1940, http://www.naacpldf.org/brown-at-60-the-doll-test. Dwyer, Liz. Untitled. Takepart, Mattel, 29 May 2015, http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/05/29/why-cant-we-buy-barbie-black-ceo. Grasyte, Ruta. Untitled. Boredpanda, April 2017, https://www.boredpanda.com/twins-hair-urban-bush-babes-cipriana-tk-quann/. Harris, Rahsaan. Untitled. PR Week, 15 June 2016, https://www.prweek.com/article/1398346/diversity-inclusion-pr-creating-real-change-deb unking-diversity-myths. ---, Ivy. Untitled. Antique HQ, Mattel, 31 May 2017, https://www.antique-hq.com/iconic-barbies-from-the-last-six-decades-2030/. Kuvaamo, Hiljan. “Francie Group | Vintage francies in old dresses.” Flickr, Pinterest, 21 May. 2016, https://www.flickr.com/photos/pilvetar/26867913740. Maginn, William. Untitled. Williammaginn, Wordpress, 15 Aug. 2013, https://williammaginn.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/time-for-some-cartoons/. ---. “Mas y Menos Make Tamales.” Fandom, Wikia, 19 Aug. 2015, http://teentitansgo.wikia.com/wiki/File:Mas_y_Menos_make_tamales.png. ---. “Ni Hao Kai-Lan, Super: Happy Day!” LeapFrog, 2012, https://www.leapfrog.com/en-ie/app-centre/p/ni-hao-kailan-super-happy-day/_/A-prod39 040. ---. “Olive Oyl, Carried by Popeye.” Fandom, Wikia, nd, http://sweethaven.wikia.com/wiki/Olive_Oyl. ---. “Showgirls- The Kessler Twins.” Pinterest, SimplySassy, nd, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/233553930645717394. ---. “The Black Man and Cartoons.” Amino, 7 April 2017, https://cartoon.aminoapps.com/page/blog/the-black-man-and-cartoons-a-history/vd7I_nu wjE74Dv4KxXnLMegMJZgkGrr. ---. Untitled. Amazon, nd, https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Alive-Diapers-Pack/dp/B00MY46RNY. White, James. “First Lady Michelle Obama Is Here to Make Going to College Way Less Stressful.” Seventeen, 14 April 2016, http://www.seventeen.com/life/news/a39681/michelle-obama-better-make-room/. .