The year 2000: That’s the last time a female Asian-American hosted Saturday Night Live. The streak broke when rapper and actress Awkwafina hosted the comedy show Saturday.
In her opening monologue, Awkwafina recalled her memory of watching Lucy Liu host the show 18 years ago and thanked Liu for opening the door for her to be where she is today. Here, and in many other cases, we see that representation matters.
To see someone who looks like or has a similar upbringing as you in the position of your dreams helps make that dream a reality. It is hard to believe in yourself if nobody similar to you makes it. There is no path to follow. There is little inspiration.
One could use the imagination to force one’s persona into those desired roles, but inspiration is hard to come by. Having role models for the next generation allows children and young adults to witness what they, too, can achieve. When impressionable kids see a diverse cast on TV, it tells them that anything is possible regardless of ethnicity, race or sexual orientation.
Existing in a never-before-seen way is not easy. If you are only exposed to stereotypes, you might feel as if you must fit that mold. Or, if you belong to a group with a negative stereotype, you might feel nervous about showing your true self, which keeps you from presenting your full potential.
Having actors of all different backgrounds portray any role helps the entire audience. It benefits viewers who identify with the actor, as well as viewers who do not. For underrepresented viewers who do resonate with the actor, it normalizes their existence. No longer are they seen as the token or comedic relief. For viewers who do not identify with underrepresented characters, seeing a diverse cast may allow some of the learned stereotypes to unravel.
Representation not only matters for actors but for writers as well. The film and television industry has mainly featured work written through the male gaze. A diverse writing table is crucial. Underrepresented people’s experiences, when portrayed accurately, strike a cord with viewers who have never seen their side of the story told before.
Some might see this simply as a money grab. Hollywood could just play into diversity to reach a larger audience and make more money, but at this point, I’m willing to take what I can get. To the kids at home watching TV, the motive behind their favorite characters doesn’t matter. What matters to them is if the people on TV look like them or resonate with them. It matters if the characters they love portray a future version of themselves that does not fall into an overly-done stereotype.
Representation in media makes a difference. Awkwafina is proof of it. Hopefully in the future, there will be more performers who were inspired by characters who broke the molds set before them.
Jackie De Freitas is a UF journalism junior. Her column appears on Fridays.
