The Importance of Inclusion in Digital Media

What Is Inclusion In Digital Media?

Inclusion comes in many different forms. In recent years, digital media platforms have tried to ensure that they include various types of people groups. Groups relating to things such as race, sexuality, socio-economic status, age, and so much more. Unfortunately, these efforts to represent different groups can be butchered. Sometimes these depictions can add to the stereotypes and ideas that are associated with different groups of people. However, when inclusion is done well it can provide empowerment and accurate representation.

What Does Inclusion Look Like In Action?

The Disney brand has been proactive in its efforts to ensure inclusion in its films and shows. One that comes to mind is Disney Pixar’s Coco. This movie came out in 2017 around the time of el Día de Muertos. This is a Mexican holiday where they celebrate deceased family members and friends so that their legacy lives on. This movie is centered around this holiday. When I first watched this movie back in 2017 I was in love with every element of it, especially the music. The Mexican representation in this movie is admirable because they wrote a story exclusively around a holiday celebrated by Mexicans.

Love, Simon was a movie that came out back in 2018. This film centers around a gay teenager navigating his journey with his sexuality. Love, Simon depicts what the coming out process can look like and how it can affect the people around you. This film is wildly regarded as being an accurate story about what being a young queer person is like.

Why Is Inclusion Important?

Inclusion and representation in digital media are important in the sense that they give specific people models that depict their experiences. Inclusion also creates understanding from people outside of the community that is being shown. Portraying people who do not usually get represented in media is very powerful because it can create social cohesion. Inclusion also offers empowerment and agency to those being represented.

Disney Pixar’s Coco

20th Century Fox’s Love, Simon