The Wall_Spring 2023_Issue 9

Kit Kroft (he/him), S7, explores the importance of representation in media for young people.

Disney is about to release a new live action version of the much-loved animation ‘The Little Mermaid’.You may have seen the trailer already, or the reaction videos that went viral on TikTok and Twitter.Young Black girls were shown the trailer for the new movie and their reactions upon realising Ariel was to be played by Halle Bailey, a Black woman, was just incredible.They jumped, they danced, they cried tears of joy.They were in utter disbelief that this Disney princess is a girl who looks just like them.Why do you think they reacted this way? It is because representation matters. These young girls are used to living in a world where the princesses, the story book heroes, the people they learn about at school, look nothing like them. Not seeing yourself represented in the world around you can make you feel separate, like you do not matter. It makes it challenging to figure out where you fit in this world.A lack or representation sends the message that this is simply how things are and how they should be.The chance to dismantle harmful stereotypes that may exist about other cultures is lost.Thus, not only does representation affect how those from ethnic minorities see themselves, but it also shapes how they are viewed by society. In my experience, when you do not see people that look like you in certain positions it can make you feel that people like you do not belong there. It is true when they say, ‘If you can see it, you can be it.’When I saw Marcus Rashford doing so much positive work, it

inspired me to do my own fundraiser for the same charity Fareshare. Role models like him and Lewis Hamilton inspired me to create an Equality club at Prep School. Representation is important in other as pects of life as well, such as disability and gender.The England’sWomen Football team inspired many girls and women to take up the sport. Many studies demonstrate how important it is for children to see positive role models who they can look up to and be inspired by. Over 30% of primary school aged children in England are from an ethnic minority background, while less than 10% of children’s fiction feature a main character from an ethnic minority. Every child deserves to enjoy a rewarding experience when reading children’s literature. Research proves that a lack of representation in the media can have negative psychological effects on children’s self-esteem and sense of self. Again, the media we consume affects the way we see ourselves and others in this world. A memorable day in our family was when Kamala Harris was elected as Vice President of the USA. My sister found it incredibly inspirational to see a lady who was half Indian and half black like her becomeVice President - and she was not the only one. I remember seeing online videos of girls full of joy, wearing T-shirts saying: ‘myVP looks like me.’ The significance of this moment cannot be underestimated. For young brown girls to be able to see themselves as one day leading a country is huge. Currently,

in the UK, 10% of MPs are from ethnic minority backgrounds which is lower than the population percentage of 14%. Diversity is incredibly important in government, not only because it creates role models, but also because it is a way to make sure that everyone is given a voice. For children of colour, we have grown up in a world where we are underrepresented; each time we see someone like us in these high positions, it helps us to see ourselves there. Not only are films such as ‘The Little Mermaid’ remake vital, but we also deserve to see new characters of colour.Thankfully, there are books like ‘High Rise Mystery’ by Sharna Jackson and television shows like ‘Abbott Elementary’ and ‘Blackish’ that are bringing diversity and representation to a wider audience. I hope that that many more will follow. Representation is incredibly important. It should be considered in the books we read at school, the plays we put on, and the songs that we sing. Remember: what may seem like something small and inconsequential to many, may be huge for someone else.

Interested in finding out more? Read the editors’ supplementary content by scanning the QR code!

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