Yes, representation matters

Yes, representation matters!

Representation refers to the presence and portrayal of diverse individuals and groups in various aspects of society, including media, politics, education, and more. It is about reflection and the inclusion of people from different backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

When it comes to representation, seeing oneself or one's community represented in a positive and accurate manner can have significant impacts for all sorts of reasons.

As a new father to a mixed raced child, it is something that is more and more in the forefront of my mind. Growing up mixed race, I know first hand of the complexities of being accepted and belonging. Don’t speak like this or you'll be seen as “too white”, don't wear that are you’ll be seen as “too black” whatever that means. But this was the reality of my upbringing and it was based on the representation that was around in society during my childhood.

There is a great saying, ‘you can't be what you can't see’ so it’s no surprise that my dream as a kid was to be a professional athlete and or music producer rather than a lawyer or a politician. I couldn't relate to the latter. How could I, I didn't know any black politicians. The athletes and artists, were and still are the areas in which people that ‘look like me’ excel in. They were my heroes, my role models, the people I looked up to and thought, I want to be like them when I grow up. That is why Barack Obama being inaugurated as President of The United States of America was such a poignant moment for me in my life. There are only a handful of moments that are so clear in my mind and this was one of them. I remember watching the ceremony with my dad thinking, enjoy this because we may not see it again in my lifetime. Even with that thought in the back of my mind I remember feeling hopeful, very hopeful.

And so fast forward 30 years, when I look at my daughter, I think where is the representation for her? Who are her idols going to be? Being a mixed latino and black women, it is fair to say that she is going to face her fair share of challenges in her life but we will raise her knowing that she can be anything she wants to be, and we really mean that.

Thankfully, I do see a lot of representation in society today. Whether or not it is there for the right reasons is another discussion but the fact that I can see it, gives me hope. She doesn’t have to look any further than her dad, who worked for a majority black owned business Enolla Consulting and the work that we do is all about ending workplace inequality. There are more examples in the corporate world, such as the likes of Kamala Harris, Rosalind Brewer, Bozoma Saint John and Mellody Hobson to name a few. They are all trailblazers in their own right and that does give me hope that my daughter could too one day be one of those trailblazers that people talk about.

Overall, representation matters because it shapes perceptions, influences societal norms, and impacts the opportunities and experiences of individuals from marginalised communities. By promoting accurate and diverse representation, we can work towards a more equitable and inclusive society which is what it is all about.

So, yes, representation matters, of course it does!