My Take on Childhood Shows
Throughout my childhood, the media I immersed myself in, be it toys, books, shows, or movies, consistently centered around characters who bore no resemblance to me. Think about some of the most iconic and beloved characters globally – Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen, Luke Skywalker, or superheroes like Batman and Wonder Woman. Now, try to conjure characters from different racial groups, sexual orientations, or anything outside the conventional norms of societal "normalcy." It's a challenge. While there may be a handful of well-known characters from diverse backgrounds, they lack the widespread recognition and love accorded to the more conventional white heroes and princesses.
As a South Asian individual, I find it easier to spot this issue with Desi characters. Think about a significant South Asian character that everyone can readily recall, relate to, and adore. There are probably fewer such characters than I can count on my right hand. Personally, a couple of characters that come to mind are Baljeet from Phineas and Ferb and Ravi from Jessie, both of whom are blatant stereotypes of South Asian people. While these characters may seem like harmless, comedic additions to most, they fail to provide accurate representations of South Asians in media. Baljeet and Ravi are portrayed as unathletic, geeky Indian boys with thick accents. Ravi, in particular, was adopted by a white couple as a child, yet he inexplicably maintained his heavy accent throughout the show and continued wearing traditional Indian kurtas while his adopted siblings embraced Western outfits. It just doesn't add up. Baljeet, on the other hand, enjoys doing homework during the summer, especially math, and is consistently bullied in most episodes without ever standing up for himself. These characters, side by side, seem to exist solely for comedic relief, with themselves as the punchline. The fact that they appear in children's shows exacerbates the issue, as kids may not fully comprehend that these characters are mere stereotypes.
My younger self despised these characters. They irked me because, despite being the only ones who remotely resemble me, they happened to be the least appealing characters on their respective shows. Baljeet and Ravi were ostracized and portrayed as foreign compared to the other characters in their shows. While diversity has undeniably increased in the entertainment industry, significant work remains to be done. I know some people believe this surge of diversity has risen for the wrong reasons or that it has become redundant and no longer meaningful. I don't entirely disagree with that, and I will share my opinions on that later. However, it is also critical to note that the entertainment industry has changed in a way that I hope will mitigate the feelings of otherness I experienced as a child. I hope this newfound inclusion allows today's youth to see themselves as they are, not as different or separate from others due to their background.
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