Representation Matters, But What Else?

Writer: Kimani Leftridge

Contemporary activism and organizing has facilitated a much needed conversation surrounding the idea of “representation”. The masses have come to the conclusion that the visibility of the most marginalized in this society is important. Not only to affirm younger marginalized generations but to also show nuanced and diverse narratives surrounding oppressed peoples. Yes, representation matters but, is it the end all be all especially if the ultimate goal is liberation?

There are plenty of people with marginalized identities that actively perpetuate rhetoric that harm their very own communities. For example, during this election season there has been an attempt to rally support for the Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. There is a great desire to elect a female president and many are more excited because she is also Black. But, Harris has not done anything to tangibly support Black people, women and most importantly Black women. As a career prosecutor she has supported the prison industrial complex that works to incarcerate an astonishing amount of Black and Brown people, a large majority of these people also happen to be Black trans women.

Oftentimes, many will do the bare minimum and just stop there. For example, it's been common place for both TV shows and movies to cast one or two people with “deviant” identities and call it a day. These characters may have no development, no arc and no depth. Instead directors and producers opt to treat them as props to prove that their programs do have “representation”.

All in all, those who are representing oppressed groups should also work in the best interests of those groups, or their visibility is rendered useless. The presence of marginalized people in media must be meaningful, and not used to silence the opinions of those who do not always have the space to express them. We should all work until the idea of “minorities” as a focal point is no longer a novelty.