Blog Post 4

     When I think of positive representation, I think of all the many types of ethnicities and cultures that aren't as known or talked about in the real world. We seem to forget that there's more than just Asians, Africans, European, Native, etc. The way we think like this is through exposure. If you grew up not knowing about other racial groups, it would become difficult to adjust or not have any biases to those who aren't the same as you. Familiarity is important when it comes to positive representation. Especially in media. It's important for media to depict of different peoples' ethnicity in a good way instead of showing only the bad because as a society, we take what's shown to us and start to have a opinion in a negative way thanks to the media. For young kids, they're taught to be racist as they aren't colorblind. They are taught that through exposure from their families and through media. Winkler (2009), puts it into perspective by saying, "research clearly shows that children not only recognize race from a very young age, but also develop racial biases by ages three to five that do not necessarily resemble the racial attitudes of adults in their lives," (p. 1). Simply meaning that if the exposure starts at a young age, they are heavily influenced with biases from their parents or families. Schrader (2018), states in the article "Representation Matters," that, "cultural socialization promotes children’s cultural and ethnic pride" (paras. 4). And I agree because if a child were to see many types of colors or cultures, they would be more aware of the fact there's more than just one specific race. And through media, you see only white baby dolls being promoted mostly. My people often get the most backlash and people like to throw stereotypes at us. We only have a bad reputation from what the media depicts of us. 

    This type of representation can make people weary or even cautious of another race because they would feel their life was being threatened or in danger. People feel entitled to say that especially about African Americans because of what the media shoots us as. This could make one feel less of a human being and not worthy enough to have a life. As an African American, I also feel scared for my life. I fear for my brothers and sister's lives. My mom, dad, grandmother, aunt, uncles.. My whole family. I never know if one of us will be the next to face this stereotype and disrespectful backlash. I do not want any one in general to face police brutality. But I strongly believe the upcoming generation is realizing the lies and fabrications that the media does and speaking out.

    A moment where I felt positive representation of black people was shown throughout media was in tv shows. Lately, there are more and more children shows they show and represent different ethnicities such as the show Craig of the Creek or even Doc McStuffins which is a big one. Because it's a little black girl who is a doctor which real media would not want to show. A negative representation would have to be the time any time police brutality happens. Everyone sees it and when the video and such gets released, black people still fall victim to the blame. That's why people get riled up and want to protest and that's the only time the media wants to record us when we're in a state of anger and sadness. They don't want to record us accomplishing something great. Media for young kids in TV shows do a way better job covering and giving a positive outlook on people of colors. It shows them that they could also be a doctor, nurse, teacher; anything they want to be. While news media, only covers the bad of us because it brings attention.