I really enjoyed the 10th podcast by Dr. Bezio. Thinking about the way we tell stories and who plays a role in them, I appreciated her discussion of visibility and representation especially. I think in a world where we are constantly flooded with seemingly endless amounts of media, it’s oftentimes overwhelming to dig into the real, emotional effects it has on us as individuals. The idea of both being and feeling seen stands out. Representation, for me, seems to be contingent on this. Seeing that of yourself in others is a powerful feeling. It’s both reassuring and comforting to know that not only people like you exist, but are also celebrated. This is true for “Black Panther” which Dr. Bezio discussed in depth. The massive positive response by the public for the movie exemplifies not only the importance of representation, but also the ways in which powerful stories create powerful social impacts.
On a much broader scale, though, I think that social media has allowed for the exponential growth of visibility and connection with communities. Take platforms like Tik Tok, where anyone of any background can be instantly connected with people across the world regardless of whether or not they have a following. In spaces like this, creators and viewers are brought into conversation with each other in really powerful ways. Seeing someone who looks like you or shares common identities has become as easy as clicking a button and opening an app. Beyond settings like movie theaters, we have the ability to feel affirmed and accepted in seeing that of ourselves in others who aren’t famous or widely known. This is an experience I’m sure other people have felt too. The comfort of knowing you are not alone is highly underrated.
I agree with the idea that it is important for everyone to be seen and represented in pop culture. This is kind of like Dr. Bezio’s podcast last week in which history has been told mostly by white men. If we allow our current world to continue with this, we will never get anywhere. Further, it disconnects millions of people from a shared collective. Social media has allowed for this greatly, but it is still disheartening to see this form of oppression continue (Addison Rae on Jimmy Fallon…). We will always connect with those that look like us more because of our lizard brains but it is important to work against implicit bias and create a better world for everyone.
I completely agree with your idea of representation in storytelling. Seeing yourself represented in media is extremely important for ones self esteem and portrayal of oneself in the world. If media is solely composed of white people, specifically white men, it creates a message of who belongs in society and who doesn’t. Our country is composed of hundreds of different backgrounds and identities, not just white people, so adequate and positive diverse representation is necessary for a just society. Positive representation eliminates implicit biases, so diverse storytelling is very beneficial for a community.
I like how you talk about the growth of connection through social media like TikTok. Other platforms focus more on who you already follow (people in your circle) rather than the broad collection of individuals to be more informed about their lives to enhance our own.
I think when it comes to social media we often look at different influencers with an envious eye. We often see these figures as larger than life however they are just like us. Social media is a tool for not just infuencers but also athletes, artists, and musicians to share their voices and give voices to the voiceless on important issues.