Lights! Camera! Diversity? by Justice

Lights! Camera! Diversity? by Justice - June 2020 Scholarship Essay

Being a black girl named Justice provides many opportunities to get a front row seat to discrimination and racial inequality. However, the racial injustices we see in America are inevitable to one’s eyesight, no matter the name or skin color. Despite the advances people of color make throughout history, it seems like some disparities are set in stone. As the world is evolving, so is the discrimination, and one place we have let it infiltrate is our modern-day media. In order to create projects resembling the world around us, the modification I will bring upon filmmaking, my intended career industry, is a much needed one: to place people of all colors, genders, disabilities, and individualities in front of the cameras and behind them.
Frankly, to say diversity is an important element in the entertainment field is a gross understatement. Film, television, journalism, multimedia, and other show business careers play a vital role in our communities and daily lives; so, whether on a screen or stage, it’s essential that audiences see proper representation of those resembling both their character and complexion. As mentioned, film, television, and media particularly have powerful influences on society, so much so that the presence or absence of quality representation alters the way we think. Namely, studies show that black people, especially young girls, felt empowered after seeing Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther. This actively illustrates that seeing themselves in on-screen role models helps viewers acknowledge their true value inside.
Furthermore, not only did these Marvel characters have pigmentation, but they also had personality. Studios release media that places minorities in degrading roles, creating majority of the revolting stereotypes held against them. This is the greatest problem, yet. For example, there are blind people that look no different from those with normal vision – no dark sunglasses, white canes, or cloudy eyes – despite what the movies say. In addition, audience members of any color can watch movies that repeatedly feature men of a certain race in dangerous, unruly, and stereotypical roles and immediately pin this behavior on all men of that race everywhere. Or worse, these stereotypes can feed a self-hate into their victims, slowly forcing them to believe that this is who they are and the most they will ever be. This thinking ultimately influences social media, an even bigger platform. Because the media’s atrocious representation created these stereotypes, it is the media’s responsibility to correct them. American citizens cannot be placed in one box. People are a part of a spectrum, not a category. Arguably, there are certain films that entail a certain cast. Yet, this excuse does not justify the homogeneity exhibited in thousands of Hollywood’s uniformed projects. Regardless, producers have yet to recognize that more diversity on-screen attracts more viewers and more money to their pockets. Another thing they fail to realize is that ethnic representation has a critical function off-screen and in offices, as well. Bringing diversity off-camera will increase creativity and productivity. Diversified backgrounds will provide fresh talents, perspectives, and authentic, unprecedented stories. Thus, the inclusiveness should actually include everybody.
Almost every Halloween, I trick-or-treated in humiliation because I didn’t look like my white role models, whereas I should’ve been ashamed they didn’t look like me. These moments have encouraged me to devote my life to fight for equitable opportunities for women and people of color and disability. This fall, I will study Motion Pictures and pursue a career as a screenwriter, director, and inspiration to all. I will use this time and opportunity to gain more experience and expand in networking, so I can create equal representation on and off camera. By writing, directing, and shooting independent projects for film festivals to introduce my productions to the world, I aspire to be the first black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay. My efforts in this industry will give many people, kids especially, someone who can give them a voice in this world and be an exemplary role model to look up to whether they would like to be in this industry or not. I want to be there for others because as Former First Lady Michelle Obama once said, “Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives” and that is exactly what I plan to do. As proof of my determination, the state of Tennessee awarded me a maximum scholarship to the Governor’s School for the Arts Summer Filmmaking Program in 2018. Since then, I’ve created my own short film and been a production assistant on many sets. A Governor’s School mentor said there’s no such thing as an original idea, primarily since the film industry has a tendency to revive and recycle old ideas audiences have already seen before, but I disagree. There are too many exceptional people out there for every story to already be told. He has just been watching the same cast with the same producers and directors for way too long.