Why Minority Representation Matters
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why Minority Representation Matters

It’s hard to realize just how important it is to have a role model who looks like you.

552
Why Minority Representation Matters
Kei Noguchi, Flickr

Growing up, I formed my perception of normality off of what TV showed me. What TV showed me as beauty was blond hair and blue eyes, and that “normal” food was mac and cheese and steak with potatoes. Across every channel, what TV showed me was that none of these famous people in movies, sports, or politics looked like me.

In movies, the only roles any Asian would play consisted of nerds, doctors, and occasionally smart sidekicks. In sports, I saw people who looked like me only mainly in ping pong and badminton. As an avid baseball fan, I idolized Taiwanese pitcher Chien-Ming Wang because someone from my country who looked like me had become so successful in the United States playing a true “American” sport..

I remember when Linsanity happened in basketball. Everyone was talking about it regardless of whether they watched basketball or not because this was something huge for the Asian American community. Seeing Asians in contact sports was rare. Seeing an Asian actually thriving in basketball - now that was practically unheard of. Suddenly, all my guy friends were playing basketball after school - if Jeremy Lin could get into the NBA, then so can they.

This year’s USA Winter Olympic Figure Skating team was 50% Asian. Of the bunch, many skaters, including Mirai Nagasu and Karen Chen, cited Asian figure skaters in the 90s like Michelle Kwan and Kristi Yamaguchi as their inspirations.

When kids see someone like them succeed in a field, they start to believe that they too can achieve the same thing.

People often underestimate the importance of diversity to the younger generation. Without seeing someone like them in a field they encounter, kids can easily assume that the field is not for them, wasting away the potential talent that they possess.

In Hollywood, Asian actors account for only 1% of all the leading roles. There have been 42 total Asian Americans in Congress since 1957, a painfully low number considering that Asian Americans make up 5.6% of the current US population. There is a considerable number of people behind each minority demographic, yet not nearly enough role models for minority youths to follow.

There needs to be enough representation so that news of an Asian American winning a leading part to a movie no longer warrants an excited uproar among the Asian communities. We shouldn’t be so shocked that someone who looks like us nabbed the main role when we have every right and every skill to win it.

Let minority representation become common sense so that kids no longer have to ask their parents to let them dye their hair blonde to look pretty or think that their acting futures only consist of comedic and nerdy roles.

Let minority representation become common sense so that kids of all races can grow up believing that they can be anything they want to be, because there’s someone like them who has already achieve that dream.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54196
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34881
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957227
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

182715
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments