Forced inclusion: is it really a problem?

We understand forced inclusion as the obligation to represent, in various artistic and cultural media, the social diversity of our population.. That is, people who have a skin color, a sexual identity or needs that are different from the regulations. In this way, this phenomenon is interpreted in the world of cinema and television as the misrepresentation of the characteristics of well-known characters to incorporate diverse narratives. Although this, sometimes, does not conform to logical or historical realities, such as representing an Anne Boleyn with black skin.

We are facing a reality that began a few years ago and that is now present in much of the content we consume. The Disney factory, for example, as well as Netflix, have very specific clauses that demand the appearance of increasingly different characters in scenes..

There we have films as successful as Coconut either Charmor series like Atypical, The good doctor either The Bridgertons. However, is this really a problem?

It is true that right now standards of inclusion and racial diversity are required. However, what would happen if we did not give presence to this group of people in spaces traditionally occupied by white, normotypical and heterosexual characters? We analyze it.

Pixar films increasingly take care of the racial and sexual diversity of their characters.

Forced inclusion: pros and cons

The term “forced inclusion” is traditionally used by those who feel bothered by the change in the narratives of the audiovisual media. If there is something we are seeing, for example, it is how women are gaining more ground in the world of cinema. The roles have changed, the girls no longer need to be saved.

Black, Latin American or Asian actors or characters are increasingly present in front of and behind the camera. The same happens with sexual diversity. Loki is, for example, the first Marvel character to be openly bisexual. And there we have the controversial premiere of Lightyearalready banned in 14 countries, but showing the first kiss between two people of the same sex.

There are those who see this as simple strategies of marketing. Also, like that political ideology, something “woke up” (progressive mentality that seeks to combat all injustice, real or not), which has prevailed so much in recent years. Be that as it may, there is something evident. Giving visibility is offering recognition to those who until recently did not have a presence in the public sphere..

And this, without a doubt, is highly necessary.

Inclusion as a strategy to end discrimination

The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative is an American foundation that annually analyzes inclusion processes in top-grossing films. These analyzes have been carried out since 2007. Well, in the latest report it was seen that 41% of the main protagonists or co-stars in 2021 were women.

32% were of a historically excluded race or ethnicity. Now, although this data is good, there are areas in which we are not making progress. From the age of 45, it is unlikely that a woman will achieve a leading role if she does not have a long and well-known career (like Meryl Streep or Frances McDormand…). Black women, for their part, have it even more difficult.

That is to say, although we are making great progress, there are still groups that are left behind in that representation. We are not, therefore, facing a phenomenon of forced inclusion, but of necessary inclusion to offer voice and presence to those who we do not usually see on the big and small screen.

Forced inclusion or when diversity is poorly represented

Forced inclusion is used in a derogatory way to criticize this attempt to represent all social diversity. However, we cannot close our eyes to an undeniable fact. Sometimes, in the materialization of this desire for inclusion, mistakes are made..

An example of this was seeing the black actress Jodie Turner-Smith playing the role of Anne Boleyn. The phenomenon of forced inclusion is real when historical facts are distorted for the mere desire to shoehorn in racial diversity. It is not right.

Another example of this was the Oscar-winning film Green Book (2018). Many black actors were offended by this production. In it, we once again saw a white protagonist acting as the savior of the black man. He was the classic feel-good movie moralizing, but which, in reality, erred in its inclusive purpose.

Traditionally, actors of color have played supporting roles.

He tokenisma phenomenon that we must reformulate

We understand the tokenism such as this false attempt to favor the inclusion of discriminated groups, managing to stereotype them even more. green book is an example of this. As is also pigeonholing Latin American actors in roles linked to drug trafficking.

He tokenism This is what forced inclusion often brings, that which is not considered and is applied by simple quota to racial or sexual diversity.. Giving voice and presence to the different groups in our society implies creating deep characters and not merely stereotypes.

Many times we see films where the characters and their narratives are so forced and stereotypical that they do little favor for the social acceptance of this diversity. We don’t want “accessory characters,” like that white protagonist who has black or gay friends.

Inclusion goes far beyond this image; It is to represent the different groups with roles that are not flat, secondary, extremely vulnerable or poorly adapted.

That’s the key.

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