Humanity is at odds with itself
The
purpose of the forum was to provide
an insightful panel discussion, engaging presentations and motivational
and articulated speakers to open discourse on the topic of representation and
its effects in all forms of media. We hope to deconstruct information and
critically analyze knowledge created through representations of marginalized
and privileged groups. Our purpose was to combat recurring discourses of
colonialism, privilege and oppression that perpetuate discrimination and
violence against marginalized groups in society. We also had two guest
panel speakers; one being the award winning sports reporter for Canada's
biggest newspaper the Toronto Star, Morgan Campbell and the executive director
of the non-for-profit organization Black Pearls, Kim Tull. I was very
surprised to discover topics so prominent in the past were still very
significant until this day and time. Such topics being underlined with messages
in advertisements, shows, and movies. One particular topic that arose a
discussion was the topic of racial skin tone and how it is still relevant in a
time where racism has supposedly been eliminated. Sad to say that there is
still racial discrimination in the media. Lighter girls 'shine' on the screen
where darker girls are in the shadows. Darker girls are categorized to be
the 'casts offs' only used for sexual purposes rather than their personalities,
or appearance per say. The main blame of this is the media. Why do we
allow the media to justify beauty? We are told every day, subconsciously,
through the media how we are supposed to look, act and eat. What’s bad is that
media is forming the views of the upcoming generations of young susceptible
people. These younger generations grow up to being adults who believe these
impossible standards that are enforced upon them and other people around them. The
issue not only lies in one race but in numerous troubling perceptions worldwide.
Humanity is at odds with itself because we forget how to celebrate and respect
our differences. Instead we are constantly struggling to prove who has the
better race, sex, religion, class etc.
- Duaa Mohamed
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