Representation Analysis

Representation in the media has had its good and bad moments. The fact of the matter is that varying genders, races, ethnicities, religions, sexualities, bodies, ages, and cultures are being illuminated in the media now more than ever. Unfortunately, they can and have been misrepresented or presented with a negative connotation. Some works in the media, though, have done justice to the minorities of the world.

The laundry detergent company "Tide" created a faulty commercial in which it shows a feminine mother with her daughter who likes to wear "hoodies and cargo shorts." The mother speaks directly to the viewers and shares her wish that the laundry detergent was not strong enough to erase the stains on her daughter's clothing so she could throw them away. This is a poor, negative representation of women who do not conform to their socially constructed femininity. The commercial ends with the phrase, "Style is an option, clean is not." Many in the LGBT+ community would argue that they were born that way and did not choose to be that way. The whole commercial is degrading of androgynous people and people who do not like to dress the way society has constructed them to dress according to their gender. Rather than showing support, this commercial is discouraging to those who want to dress however they feel without being forced to conform to gender norms.

The fashion company "H&M" created an advertisement for its campaign to recycle clothing. The commercial showcased people of various religions, races, ethnicities, bodies, ages, and cultures. People can be seen showing off their armpit hair to their panty-lines to their unique styles. The voice-over in the commercial tells the viewers to be whatever and whoever they want. This commercial embraces people of all different backgrounds and communities, bringing light to their uniqueness.

Tide did not effectively appeal to its audience at all. While proving its strength in its detergent, it rejects androgynous people and people of similar traits. Viewers could find Tide's commercial oppressive and regressive, which in turn works against Tide. On the contrary, H&M's advertisement is supportive and encouraging. The ad tells its viewers to be themselves and to break through social norms and constructs if that is their desire. This embrace sits well with the audience and will broaden and diversify their outreach.

In the past, it was common to see skinny, white, blue-eyed women and muscular men in the media. Magazines, commercials, movies, they were everywhere. There was a minimal amount of representation of any other culture, race, ethnicity, etc in the media. Women could not have body hair because society saw it as disgusting or gross. Men who did not have abs and perfect jawlines were considered unattractive. While a majority of the media depicts white culture and unhealthy beauty standards today, more and more diversity has begun to make an appearance.