Representation
We currently live in a society influenced and moved by social justice. An important feature of social justice is representation. Whether it be representation through race, sexuality, or gender, it can be found through opportunity. One definition of representation is "a person or group that speaks or acts for or in support of another person or group".
This specific definition can be applied to motion pictures. With films and television, there was a serious lack of diverse representation. Janet Sternberg, author of From Reverence to Rape, states "women in the movies are reflected, perpetrated, and in some respects offered innovations on the roles of women in society" (3). In the early days of film, female characters truly did reflect the roles of women in their society. It was rare to see women as dominant, especially in the classic Hollywood cinema era. However, over time and through the eras, women have become better represented. Women of color and LGBT women have also become a part of the conversation.
Jumping to today's film and television era, there are more opportunities for women to represent themselves in this industry. There are definite differences in the depiction of women, race, and sexuality when comparing the past and today's motion pictures industry. There is a specific television show that represents women through breaking binaries and representing themselves in a new world.
The Walking Dead is one of the most popular T.V. shows to date. The season five premiere had over 17 million viewers. The show is derived from The Walking Dead graphic novel, but the T.V. show is known to twist original plots and add new ones. One of the best aspects of the T.V. show is the characters. It can be said that the characters and their story lines are the most vital part of the show, but the most important or most compelling aspect of the show could be debated time and time again. However, the female characters in The Walking Dead provide important representation. Carol Peletier, Michonne, and Tara Chambler are women in The Walking Dead whom exhibit power and strength in the zombie apocalypse by going against the old world's binaries and illustrating this in their new world.
This specific definition can be applied to motion pictures. With films and television, there was a serious lack of diverse representation. Janet Sternberg, author of From Reverence to Rape, states "women in the movies are reflected, perpetrated, and in some respects offered innovations on the roles of women in society" (3). In the early days of film, female characters truly did reflect the roles of women in their society. It was rare to see women as dominant, especially in the classic Hollywood cinema era. However, over time and through the eras, women have become better represented. Women of color and LGBT women have also become a part of the conversation.
Jumping to today's film and television era, there are more opportunities for women to represent themselves in this industry. There are definite differences in the depiction of women, race, and sexuality when comparing the past and today's motion pictures industry. There is a specific television show that represents women through breaking binaries and representing themselves in a new world.
The Walking Dead is one of the most popular T.V. shows to date. The season five premiere had over 17 million viewers. The show is derived from The Walking Dead graphic novel, but the T.V. show is known to twist original plots and add new ones. One of the best aspects of the T.V. show is the characters. It can be said that the characters and their story lines are the most vital part of the show, but the most important or most compelling aspect of the show could be debated time and time again. However, the female characters in The Walking Dead provide important representation. Carol Peletier, Michonne, and Tara Chambler are women in The Walking Dead whom exhibit power and strength in the zombie apocalypse by going against the old world's binaries and illustrating this in their new world.