Why Representation Matters
By CWC Social Media Intern Asanté Matlock
Recently the world has run amok over the skin color and hair texture of a Disney character, Ariel. Cartoon criticizers ignore the reason that companies feature minority protagonists in their feature films; representation. Representation enables all types of people to see themselves reflected in leaders and characters. Since most superheroes and celebrated leaders have historically been white, representation primarily focuses on providing minorities with faces they can look up to. Representation has been gaining momentum in the past couple of years and some resist change, prompting representation to become politicized.
Photo via Instagram : @katchingupwithkenzo
At Creatives Want Change, we believe that without representation, people throughout the world aren't heard, seen, or understood. Regarding fashion, without diversity, fashion won't exist, as our co-founder, Randy Cousin, once said. Without the proper representation, achieving diversity will prove challenging for any industry. Minorities often aren't afforded the same opportunities that their white counterparts receive. Additionally, if there isn't someone who children of color can look up to, they won't realize that their dreams can become reality.
After many 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, and amid a flurry of racist incidents in the fashion industry, the fashion world vowed it would change. Although there have been DEI advances in the fashion industry, we still have a long way to go. Representation in fashion goes beyond the increasing diversity in executive positions, fashion must be a vehicle for inclusivity, displaying all types of people in their ads and on their social feeds.
People from the same or similar backgrounds see the world through a particular lens, a perspective often only understood by those in that group. Minority leaders will not only inspire youth but also give insider insight and suggest ways to maneuver throughout the world. Representation helps minorities find community support and validation. Representation also helps reduce negative stereotypes. Psychologist Dr. Gordon Allport’s Intergroup Contact Theory discovered that the more exposure or contact people have with groups who were different from them, the less likely they would express prejudice while simultaneously increasing trust and forgiveness among the different groups.
Photo via Pinterest : @mpowrivas
Representation displays a group's true traits, helping dissolve any preconceived notions other groups may hold. Representation also gives minority children confidence when they are asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”. They’ll have someone who looks like them helping them visualize what success can look like.
Creatives Want Change is actively trying to fix the representation problem prevalent in the fashion industry. With only a few globally acclaimed designers of color, young black designers have minimal idols who look like them. Every summer CWC holds a summer panel featuring prominent minority leaders in the fashion industry. This allows CWC fellows to gain confidence while interacting with leaders who have similar backgrounds and/or life experiences.
CWC will continue to aid the next generation of Black designers. As time passes our Fellows will inspire the generation following them and so forth. Ultimately achieving the goal of creating an equitable future.
