# data[].attributes.body
Thank you for thinking together with me about the lack of Asian representation and how to improve it! Below you can find my magazine.

# data[].attributes.body
The four characteristics of uses and gratifications are:
1. How media is used depends on the expectation its users have.
2. Recipients make consciously their own choices of which medium and what kind of messages they want to see.
3. Understand the values, desires and motives of the recipients.
4. Everyone experiences media on their way.

How can this be linked to representation? We can look at what the expectations are of people watching tv shows and movies. For example, the expectations of Crazy Rich Asians were set high in the Asian community because it had an all-Asian cast. Point 3 helps in figuring out the importance of diversity in media, according to the target audience. So what are your thoughts on experiencing diversity in media? I'd love to know if you pay attention to it or not, and why.

# data[].attributes.body
All this time we've been talking about the lack of Asian representation. Now it's time to improve it!

I suggest to stimulate more diverse storytelling. “For people of color who need to tell their own stories, it's important that community media not only provides a platform for those stories but also ensures that the community is aware the platform is available and accessible.” (Stevens, 2017).

So my final question for you is:
How would you increase Asian representation in today's media?

# data[].attributes.headline
Asian representation in the United States

# data[].attributes.subject
Asian representation in the United States

# data[].attributes.body
Crazy Rich Asians is the first movie with an all-Asian cast since 1993. This is seen as a step closer to Asian representation. Asian-Americans have been largely unseen in American media for ages. Roles that were meant for them, became whitewashed. There have been outstanding Asian actors like Sandra Oh in Grey's Anatomy, but these are only small changes, according to T. La Force in article Why Do Asian-Americans Remain Largely Unseen in Film and Television? (2018).

According to a study by the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism (USC), Asian-Americans only represent 1% of all leading roles in Hollywood movies. Also, only a few Asian actors have won/been nominated for awards in Hollywood. For example, two actors of Asian heritage have ever won a major Oscar in 90 years.

Studies by universities show that out of 242 tv shows last year, only 1/3 of them had an Asian person casted.

These numbers and percentage indicate that Asians lack representation in the United States. If you aren't either Asian or from another minority, I understand that this doesn't hit you personally. But I think it's important for everyone to realize the lack of representation for Asian people. What are your thoughts about this? What do you think about (not) seeing Asian people in movies and shows you're watching?

# data[].attributes.body
For the past century, professionals have been discussing about the influence of mass communication on the society. To find out what people feel about using media, the method uses and gratifications has come into existence.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Replacement of a character of color
The most common form of whitewashing. An originally non-white character is replaced by a white character in its adaptation. Example: Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell (2017).

2. 'White savior'
Centering white characters in a story that should be about characters of color. Example: Matt Damon in The Great Wall (2017).

I can understand that you've never noticed whitewashing in movies/tv shows. Now that you know about it; What are your thoughts towards whitewashing? Do you have ideas on how decrease whitewashing in media?

# data[].attributes.body
In the following two weeks, I am happy to share my knowledge on Asian representation in western media. As an Asian in Europe, I grew up seeing mostly Caucasians on television. When there were Asians, they got portrayed as the typical stereotypes.

Communication plays a role in this matter. Media creates a view for people on how they see the world. I believe comm/media professionals can improve diversity in media. So I'm very curious on your opinions regarding this topic! Therefore I'm inviting you to leave some comments for me and join the discussion! Together we can make the future.

PS. If you're not signed in on Padlet, please leave your name in your comment. Thank you!

# data[].attributes.body
Whitewashing is not a term that people use frequently, so it’s understandable that it’s rather confusing. It is related to racism as it harms the inclusion of entertainment industries, like Hollywood.

The easiest definition of whitewashing is: "The erasure of people of color in media." (Merodeadora, 2017). People of color stands for the black, Latinx and Asian community. But how does whitewasking in media work?