You Are What You Watch | Anhar Karim | TEDxPrincetonU

so for the past two years I’ve been

so for the past two years I’ve been working out in Hollywood with an at

working out in Hollywood with an at

working out in Hollywood with an at major media companies behind the scenes

major media companies behind the scenes

major media companies behind the scenes in the offices of the world which makes

in the offices of the world which makes

in the offices of the world which makes the content you glue your eyes to every

the content you glue your eyes to every

the content you glue your eyes to every day when I tell people that

day when I tell people that

day when I tell people that imagine me strutting down the red carpet

imagine me strutting down the red carpet

imagine me strutting down the red carpet with lights and cameras flashing

with lights and cameras flashing

with lights and cameras flashing everywhere but in reality it was a lot

everywhere but in reality it was a lot

everywhere but in reality it was a lot of getting coffee people organizing a

of getting coffee people organizing a

of getting coffee people organizing a supply closet and staring up in awe at a

supply closet and staring up in awe at a

supply closet and staring up in awe at a bunch of movie posters but when people

bunch of movie posters but when people

bunch of movie posters but when people ask me why I want to go into this

ask me why I want to go into this

ask me why I want to go into this industry I have two reasons the first

industry I have two reasons the first

industry I have two reasons the first one is obvious I am obsessed with movies

one is obvious I am obsessed with movies

one is obvious I am obsessed with movies and TV like I probably couldn’t list out

and TV like I probably couldn’t list out

and TV like I probably couldn’t list out all 50 united states if he wanted but I

all 50 united states if he wanted but I

all 50 united states if he wanted but I could give you the entire fictional

could give you the entire fictional

could give you the entire fictional history of all the superhero universes

history of all the superhero universes

history of all the superhero universes in fact in middle school I made this

in fact in middle school I made this

in fact in middle school I made this picture of me lying down on all my DVD

picture of me lying down on all my DVD

picture of me lying down on all my DVD collection fantastic and to prove my

collection fantastic and to prove my

collection fantastic and to prove my superhero thing here’s a chart I made to

superhero thing here’s a chart I made to

superhero thing here’s a chart I made to explain all the universes so obsessed

explain all the universes so obsessed

explain all the universes so obsessed yes

yes

yes but I thought to ask myself what is it

but I thought to ask myself what is it

but I thought to ask myself what is it about these narratives that gets me so

about these narratives that gets me so

about these narratives that gets me so excited why is it that I stay up late at

excited why is it that I stay up late at

excited why is it that I stay up late at night reading movie analyses and

night reading movie analyses and

night reading movie analyses and procrastinating and not doing my

procrastinating and not doing my

procrastinating and not doing my homework for me it’s about the chance to

homework for me it’s about the chance to

homework for me it’s about the chance to dive into a whole new reality when I’m

dive into a whole new reality when I’m

dive into a whole new reality when I’m watching The Avengers

watching The Avengers

watching The Avengers I’m not sitting there passively as

I’m not sitting there passively as

I’m not sitting there passively as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are fighting

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are fighting

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are fighting aliens I’m there because I feel like I’m

aliens I’m there because I feel like I’m

aliens I’m there because I feel like I’m there with them in New York on the

there with them in New York on the

there with them in New York on the ground as this is happening around me as

ground as this is happening around me as

ground as this is happening around me as much as we love bashing Michael Bay’s

much as we love bashing Michael Bay’s

much as we love bashing Michael Bay’s transformers series the reason why

transformers series the reason why

transformers series the reason why they’re so popular is because they’re so

they’re so popular is because they’re so

they’re so popular is because they’re so good at making us feel like these giant

good at making us feel like these giant

good at making us feel like these giant robots are fighting the battle for

robots are fighting the battle for

robots are fighting the battle for Humanity right in our city we watch

Humanity right in our city we watch

Humanity right in our city we watch these stories to immerse ourselves in

these stories to immerse ourselves in

these stories to immerse ourselves in the world of the characters on screen

the world of the characters on screen

the world of the characters on screen and to do that we map a level of truth

and to do that we map a level of truth

and to do that we map a level of truth onto their narratives this is fun this

onto their narratives this is fun this

onto their narratives this is fun this is exciting that’s why we do it but I

is exciting that’s why we do it but I

is exciting that’s why we do it but I worry that it isn’t necessarily harmless

worry that it isn’t necessarily harmless

worry that it isn’t necessarily harmless in addition to being a cinephile I’m

in addition to being a cinephile I’m

in addition to being a cinephile I’m also an American Muslim as evidenced by

also an American Muslim as evidenced by

also an American Muslim as evidenced by this picture of me and a job

this picture of me and a job

this picture of me and a job fun fact I made the news that day anyway

fun fact I made the news that day anyway

fun fact I made the news that day anyway my Muslim identity puts me in a very

my Muslim identity puts me in a very

my Muslim identity puts me in a very unique position when I watch some of the

unique position when I watch some of the

unique position when I watch some of the things that I watch because as it so

things that I watch because as it so

things that I watch because as it so happens there is no dearth of Muslim

happens there is no dearth of Muslim

happens there is no dearth of Muslim characters on screen there are a lot the

characters on screen there are a lot the

characters on screen there are a lot the problem is that they’re all terrorists

problem is that they’re all terrorists

problem is that they’re all terrorists murderers sociopaths and criminals and I

murderers sociopaths and criminals and I

murderers sociopaths and criminals and I think they kind of look like me how do

think they kind of look like me how do

think they kind of look like me how do you guys think here’s a side-by-side for

you guys think here’s a side-by-side for

you guys think here’s a side-by-side for comparison I’m not gonna bother you all

comparison I’m not gonna bother you all

comparison I’m not gonna bother you all with the data on how the vast majority

with the data on how the vast majority

with the data on how the vast majority of Muslims are decent non-homicidal

of Muslims are decent non-homicidal

of Muslims are decent non-homicidal human beings because I’m sure you know

human beings because I’m sure you know

human beings because I’m sure you know all that but my question is when we’re

all that but my question is when we’re

all that but my question is when we’re presented with a compelling piece of

presented with a compelling piece of

presented with a compelling piece of fiction and it includes a factually

fiction and it includes a factually

fiction and it includes a factually inaccurate negative depiction of a

inaccurate negative depiction of a

inaccurate negative depiction of a Muslim and then we map a level of truth

Muslim and then we map a level of truth

Muslim and then we map a level of truth on to that depiction because we are so

on to that depiction because we are so

on to that depiction because we are so invested in the story how good are we

invested in the story how good are we

invested in the story how good are we after that at separating the fact from

after that at separating the fact from

after that at separating the fact from the fiction

the fiction

the fiction I believe we suck at it it’s not wholly

I believe we suck at it it’s not wholly

I believe we suck at it it’s not wholly our fault because the trends in the

our fault because the trends in the

our fault because the trends in the entertainment industry make it so hard

entertainment industry make it so hard

entertainment industry make it so hard for us let’s look at some of those

for us let’s look at some of those

for us let’s look at some of those trends firstly it’s not like the

trends firstly it’s not like the

trends firstly it’s not like the depictions on screen show us Muslims who

depictions on screen show us Muslims who

depictions on screen show us Muslims who just happened to be bad by coincidence

just happened to be bad by coincidence

just happened to be bad by coincidence let’s take for example homelands

let’s take for example homelands

let’s take for example homelands Nicholas Brody he’s a US Marine who just

Nicholas Brody he’s a US Marine who just

Nicholas Brody he’s a US Marine who just returned from war and people aren’t

returned from war and people aren’t

returned from war and people aren’t entirely sure if they can trust him but

entirely sure if they can trust him but

entirely sure if they can trust him but then in one shocking scene it is

then in one shocking scene it is

then in one shocking scene it is revealed that Brody is praying like a

revealed that Brody is praying like a

revealed that Brody is praying like a Muslim in his garage meaning he

Muslim in his garage meaning he

Muslim in his garage meaning he converted to Islam while in Afghanistan

converted to Islam while in Afghanistan

converted to Islam while in Afghanistan now as Professor James Cox Onagawa tells

now as Professor James Cox Onagawa tells

now as Professor James Cox Onagawa tells us this twist is only shocking because

us this twist is only shocking because

us this twist is only shocking because his Islamic turn is represented as a

his Islamic turn is represented as a

his Islamic turn is represented as a prerequisite in his becoming a terrorist

prerequisite in his becoming a terrorist

prerequisite in his becoming a terrorist meaning as soon as we learn this about

meaning as soon as we learn this about

meaning as soon as we learn this about him we are meant to map onto him this

him we are meant to map onto him this

him we are meant to map onto him this violent disposition and this largely

violent disposition and this largely

violent disposition and this largely becomes the most salient part of his

becomes the most salient part of his

becomes the most salient part of his character and audiences are meant to

character and audiences are meant to

character and audiences are meant to constantly feel wary about this

constantly feel wary about this

constantly feel wary about this terrifying Muslim label this mode of

terrifying Muslim label this mode of

terrifying Muslim label this mode of depicting Muslims as by definition

depicting Muslims as by definition

depicting Muslims as by definition terrorists is widespread in popular

terrorists is widespread in popular

terrorists is widespread in popular media shows such as 24 sleeper cell and

media shows such as 24 sleeper cell and

media shows such as 24 sleeper cell and even shows that don’t directly relate

even shows that don’t directly relate

even shows that don’t directly relate terrorism like lie to me in this last

terrorism like lie to me in this last

terrorism like lie to me in this last example in one episode even after the

example in one episode even after the

example in one episode even after the entire mystery of the plot was resolved

entire mystery of the plot was resolved

entire mystery of the plot was resolved the story never bothered to give us any

the story never bothered to give us any

the story never bothered to give us any rational motive for the Muslim bombers

rational motive for the Muslim bombers

rational motive for the Muslim bombers attempted crime because we were meant to

attempted crime because we were meant to

attempted crime because we were meant to map onto him this Islamic jihadist

map onto him this Islamic jihadist

map onto him this Islamic jihadist frame this was supposed to be obvious

frame this was supposed to be obvious

frame this was supposed to be obvious and as very few people questioned it it

and as very few people questioned it it

and as very few people questioned it it seems like it was another problem we

seems like it was another problem we

seems like it was another problem we have is the conflation of the Muslim

have is the conflation of the Muslim

have is the conflation of the Muslim identity into this one homogeneous blob

identity into this one homogeneous blob

identity into this one homogeneous blob as religious scholar i’m hussein tells

as religious scholar i’m hussein tells

as religious scholar i’m hussein tells us the international body of muslims

us the international body of muslims

us the international body of muslims consists of South Asians Arabs Iranians

consists of South Asians Arabs Iranians

consists of South Asians Arabs Iranians african-americans Latinos East Asians

african-americans Latinos East Asians

african-americans Latinos East Asians and whites so it should be literally

and whites so it should be literally

and whites so it should be literally impossible with this much diversity to

impossible with this much diversity to

impossible with this much diversity to point out a person who looks Muslim and

point out a person who looks Muslim and

point out a person who looks Muslim and yet entertainment doing this is very

yet entertainment doing this is very

yet entertainment doing this is very much possible professor Evelyn al

much possible professor Evelyn al

much possible professor Evelyn al sultani tells us that the Arab on screen

sultani tells us that the Arab on screen

sultani tells us that the Arab on screen has distinctive dark features a hook

has distinctive dark features a hook

has distinctive dark features a hook nose and as further visually

nose and as further visually

nose and as further visually distinguished by clothing and so the

distinguished by clothing and so the

distinguished by clothing and so the Muslim identity held by over a billion

Muslim identity held by over a billion

Muslim identity held by over a billion people around the world is being boiled

people around the world is being boiled

people around the world is being boiled down to this one Arab caricature weirdly

down to this one Arab caricature weirdly

down to this one Arab caricature weirdly this conflation of other races in the

this conflation of other races in the

this conflation of other races in the arab muslim caricature has been

arab muslim caricature has been

arab muslim caricature has been administered so well that it’s now

administered so well that it’s now

administered so well that it’s now possible to dress an actor of any race

possible to dress an actor of any race

possible to dress an actor of any race for the role let’s take some examples

for the role let’s take some examples

for the role let’s take some examples from 24 here we have the terrifying

from 24 here we have the terrifying

from 24 here we have the terrifying Afghani Muslim terrorist Syed Ali but he

Afghani Muslim terrorist Syed Ali but he

Afghani Muslim terrorist Syed Ali but he is of course played by Italian American

is of course played by Italian American

is of course played by Italian American actor Francesco Quinn then we have the

actor Francesco Quinn then we have the

actor Francesco Quinn then we have the scary scary Turkish terrorists habib

scary scary Turkish terrorists habib

scary scary Turkish terrorists habib marwan played by south african american

marwan played by south african american

marwan played by south african american actor arnold moslem and then we have a

actor arnold moslem and then we have a

actor arnold moslem and then we have a generic Arab terrorist Navi Araz but is

generic Arab terrorist Navi Araz but is

generic Arab terrorist Navi Araz but is he played by an Arab actor of course not

he played by an Arab actor of course not

he played by an Arab actor of course not played by Puerto rican-american nestor

played by Puerto rican-american nestor

played by Puerto rican-american nestor serrano so yeah this is a very common

serrano so yeah this is a very common

serrano so yeah this is a very common thing that happens in our media and when

thing that happens in our media and when

thing that happens in our media and when conflation is so rampant in this way

conflation is so rampant in this way

conflation is so rampant in this way what will stop people from allowing

what will stop people from allowing

what will stop people from allowing themselves separate the fact from

themselves separate the fact from

themselves separate the fact from fiction after the credits roll not much

fiction after the credits roll not much

fiction after the credits roll not much does if we look at the show sleeper cell

does if we look at the show sleeper cell

does if we look at the show sleeper cell we find that this conflation has been

we find that this conflation has been

we find that this conflation has been administered so well that even the

administered so well that even the

administered so well that even the show’s own creators mix up their

show’s own creators mix up their

show’s own creators mix up their characters races recorded interviews

characters races recorded interviews

characters races recorded interviews have them calling their Pakistani

have them calling their Pakistani

have them calling their Pakistani character an archetypal middle-eastern

character an archetypal middle-eastern

character an archetypal middle-eastern father and calling their Persian actor

father and calling their Persian actor

father and calling their Persian actor Arab both being of course wrong now fine

Arab both being of course wrong now fine

Arab both being of course wrong now fine there are a lot of inaccuracies with how

there are a lot of inaccuracies with how

there are a lot of inaccuracies with how Muslims are presented on screen sure but

Muslims are presented on screen sure but

Muslims are presented on screen sure but why do we care why does this matter

why do we care why does this matter

why do we care why does this matter again we know that this is fiction we

again we know that this is fiction we

again we know that this is fiction we know it’s not real so how could any of

know it’s not real so how could any of

know it’s not real so how could any of this be harmful a common critique

this be harmful a common critique

this be harmful a common critique against this movement for better

against this movement for better

against this movement for better representation on screen is that

representation on screen is that

representation on screen is that entertainment is just that entertainment

entertainment is just that entertainment

entertainment is just that entertainment it doesn’t need to be taken seriously

it doesn’t need to be taken seriously

it doesn’t need to be taken seriously and we shouldn’t be getting so caught up

and we shouldn’t be getting so caught up

and we shouldn’t be getting so caught up over it and doing things like writing

over it and doing things like writing

over it and doing things like writing TEDx talks about it about it anyway and

TEDx talks about it about it anyway and

TEDx talks about it about it anyway and that’s to prove to you that the things

that’s to prove to you that the things

that’s to prove to you that the things you watch actually do have an impact on

you watch actually do have an impact on

you watch actually do have an impact on you because when we see these narratives

you because when we see these narratives

you because when we see these narratives as so emotionally real it’s hard for us

as so emotionally real it’s hard for us

as so emotionally real it’s hard for us to not let that seep into our

to not let that seep into our

to not let that seep into our understandings of reality professor is

understandings of reality professor is

understandings of reality professor is Francis Henry and Carol tadder explained

Francis Henry and Carol tadder explained

Francis Henry and Carol tadder explained that media represents one of the most

that media represents one of the most

that media represents one of the most powerful institutions and democratic

powerful institutions and democratic

powerful institutions and democratic society because they help transmit its

society because they help transmit its

society because they help transmit its central cultural images ideas and

central cultural images ideas and

central cultural images ideas and symbols as well as the nation’s

symbols as well as the nation’s

symbols as well as the nation’s narratives and myths this idea that

narratives and myths this idea that

narratives and myths this idea that television and media can found the

television and media can found the

television and media can found the affect people’s perceptions is called

affect people’s perceptions is called

affect people’s perceptions is called cultivation theory and there’s a lot of

cultivation theory and there’s a lot of

cultivation theory and there’s a lot of research to back it one study of note by

research to back it one study of note by

research to back it one study of note by professors James Potter and I catch Aang

professors James Potter and I catch Aang

professors James Potter and I catch Aang shows that television has a substantial

shows that television has a substantial

shows that television has a substantial impact on attitude formation and

impact on attitude formation and

impact on attitude formation and constructions of reality among middle

constructions of reality among middle

constructions of reality among middle school students middle schools I mean do

school students middle schools I mean do

school students middle schools I mean do you guys remember what you were like in

you guys remember what you were like in

you guys remember what you were like in middle school this was me in middle

middle school this was me in middle

middle school this was me in middle school and so that means at this age two

school and so that means at this age two

school and so that means at this age two things are happening one these kids

things are happening one these kids

things are happening one these kids develop me acne and two if they watch

develop me acne and two if they watch

develop me acne and two if they watch the shows and movies that I’ve been

the shows and movies that I’ve been

the shows and movies that I’ve been talking about they’re growing these

talking about they’re growing these

talking about they’re growing these homogenized views of Muslims that will

homogenized views of Muslims that will

homogenized views of Muslims that will later be very difficult to overturn

later be very difficult to overturn

later be very difficult to overturn shows like homeland know all this and

shows like homeland know all this and

shows like homeland know all this and they use it to their advantage

they use it to their advantage

they use it to their advantage James Cassandra describes a show by

James Cassandra describes a show by

James Cassandra describes a show by saying it employs a paranoid style in

saying it employs a paranoid style in

saying it employs a paranoid style in which they replay the trauma of 9/11

which they replay the trauma of 9/11

which they replay the trauma of 9/11 weekly to keep the image fresh in the

weekly to keep the image fresh in the

weekly to keep the image fresh in the audience’s memory in fact the opening

audience’s memory in fact the opening

audience’s memory in fact the opening credits of the show opened by running

credits of the show opened by running

credits of the show opened by running through news clips of real terror

through news clips of real terror

through news clips of real terror attacks in America’s history the show

attacks in America’s history the show

attacks in America’s history the show opens by conflating the fact and fiction

opens by conflating the fact and fiction

opens by conflating the fact and fiction and crucially it keeps Muslims front and

and crucially it keeps Muslims front and

and crucially it keeps Muslims front and center while doing that so if this is

center while doing that so if this is

center while doing that so if this is what’s happening how our audience is

what’s happening how our audience is

what’s happening how our audience is meant to separate separate the fact in

meant to separate separate the fact in

meant to separate separate the fact in fiction after the show ends not much is

fiction after the show ends not much is

fiction after the show ends not much is there to help them

there to help them

there to help them now some Shore runners still deny these

now some Shore runners still deny these

now some Shore runners still deny these effects of media and exactly our

effects of media and exactly our

effects of media and exactly our producer of homeland joel cirno states a

producer of homeland joel cirno states a

producer of homeland joel cirno states a doesn’t believe that

doesn’t believe that

doesn’t believe that behavior is shaped by watching a

behavior is shaped by watching a

behavior is shaped by watching a television show well I wonder if he is

television show well I wonder if he is

television show well I wonder if he is aware that according to CBS News the

aware that according to CBS News the

aware that according to CBS News the independent and core testimonials West

independent and core testimonials West

independent and core testimonials West Point students lawmakers government

Point students lawmakers government

Point students lawmakers government officials and even a US Supreme Court

officials and even a US Supreme Court

officials and even a US Supreme Court justice have all cited scenes from 24

justice have all cited scenes from 24

justice have all cited scenes from 24 for when arguing for why torture was

for when arguing for why torture was

for when arguing for why torture was acceptable these are examples of adult

acceptable these are examples of adult

acceptable these are examples of adult behavior in action being based on a

behavior in action being based on a

behavior in action being based on a fictional narrative and that being used

fictional narrative and that being used

fictional narrative and that being used to justify why human rights should be

to justify why human rights should be

to justify why human rights should be denied to certain people that shouldn’t

denied to certain people that shouldn’t

denied to certain people that shouldn’t terrify us but it’s also not that new

terrify us but it’s also not that new

terrify us but it’s also not that new because we saw a similar thing happen

because we saw a similar thing happen

because we saw a similar thing happen after the release of the movie Jaws

after the release of the movie Jaws

after the release of the movie Jaws because after that movie became popular

because after that movie became popular

because after that movie became popular despite the fact that shark

despite the fact that shark

despite the fact that shark statistically posed a tiny threat to

statistically posed a tiny threat to

statistically posed a tiny threat to human life the fear of sharks and a

human life the fear of sharks and a

human life the fear of sharks and a desire to kill them off

desire to kill them off

desire to kill them off spiked so what does it mean now that we

spiked so what does it mean now that we

spiked so what does it mean now that we see the same sort of trend beginning now

see the same sort of trend beginning now

see the same sort of trend beginning now for the Muslim identity I didn’t notice

for the Muslim identity I didn’t notice

for the Muslim identity I didn’t notice that first how much these movies and

that first how much these movies and

that first how much these movies and shows were vilifying Muslims but as I

shows were vilifying Muslims but as I

shows were vilifying Muslims but as I kept watching and as I got older it

kept watching and as I got older it

kept watching and as I got older it slowly became more explicit and so did

slowly became more explicit and so did

slowly became more explicit and so did its effect on me not too long ago I was

its effect on me not too long ago I was

its effect on me not too long ago I was going in to do one of my daily Muslim

going in to do one of my daily Muslim

going in to do one of my daily Muslim prayers and in the process I realized I

prayers and in the process I realized I

prayers and in the process I realized I felt strange and found reflection I

felt strange and found reflection I

felt strange and found reflection I realized that I felt strange because I

realized that I felt strange because I

realized that I felt strange because I was feeling guilty guilty not because I

was feeling guilty guilty not because I

was feeling guilty guilty not because I had done anything wrong but because just

had done anything wrong but because just

had done anything wrong but because just the week before I had seen a terrorist

the week before I had seen a terrorist

the week before I had seen a terrorist on television praying the exact same way

on television praying the exact same way

on television praying the exact same way I was praying now and I found this

I was praying now and I found this

I was praying now and I found this really horrifying that if even I someone

really horrifying that if even I someone

really horrifying that if even I someone who’s seen the beauty of the Muslim

who’s seen the beauty of the Muslim

who’s seen the beauty of the Muslim community who’s seen the love the

community who’s seen the love the

community who’s seen the love the connections the bond if even I could be

connections the bond if even I could be

connections the bond if even I could be swayed to hold on to a negative

swayed to hold on to a negative

swayed to hold on to a negative conception of a Muslim after watching a

conception of a Muslim after watching a

conception of a Muslim after watching a couple hours of people saying some lines

couple hours of people saying some lines

couple hours of people saying some lines and funny costumes then what must be

and funny costumes then what must be

and funny costumes then what must be happening in the mind of minds of

happening in the mind of minds of

happening in the mind of minds of general audiences recently I had the

general audiences recently I had the

general audiences recently I had the honor of meeting resentment one of the

honor of meeting resentment one of the

honor of meeting resentment one of the few prominent Muslim working actors

few prominent Muslim working actors

few prominent Muslim working actors today when I asked him why he wanted to

today when I asked him why he wanted to

today when I asked him why he wanted to go into this industry he emphasized how

go into this industry he emphasized how

go into this industry he emphasized how he wanted to see more characters who

he wanted to see more characters who

he wanted to see more characters who looked like him but were not caricatures

looked like him but were not caricatures

looked like him but were not caricatures this is what I want to I want to help

this is what I want to I want to help

this is what I want to I want to help this industry which we all love so much

this industry which we all love so much

this industry which we all love so much finally get up to speed

finally get up to speed

finally get up to speed with how the world looks and acts today

with how the world looks and acts today

with how the world looks and acts today look I don’t believe that the full

look I don’t believe that the full

look I don’t believe that the full diversity and nuance of a group of

diversity and nuance of a group of

diversity and nuance of a group of people can ever be depicted on

people can ever be depicted on

people can ever be depicted on television show or a movie that’s not

television show or a movie that’s not

television show or a movie that’s not what necessarily needs to be done as

what necessarily needs to be done as

what necessarily needs to be done as sociologist Stuart Hall says of the

sociologist Stuart Hall says of the

sociologist Stuart Hall says of the television fiction of african-americans

television fiction of african-americans

television fiction of african-americans what is it issue here is the recognition

what is it issue here is the recognition

what is it issue here is the recognition of the extraordinary diversity of

of the extraordinary diversity of

of the extraordinary diversity of subject positions social experiences and

subject positions social experiences and

subject positions social experiences and cultural identities which constitute the

cultural identities which constitute the

cultural identities which constitute the category black that is the only

category black that is the only

category black that is the only resolution that is needed then the

resolution that is needed then the

resolution that is needed then the Muslim identity with all of its nuance

Muslim identity with all of its nuance

Muslim identity with all of its nuance and difference need only to be fully

and difference need only to be fully

and difference need only to be fully recognized that casts it all as valid

recognized that casts it all as valid

recognized that casts it all as valid and legitimate and I know all that is

and legitimate and I know all that is

and legitimate and I know all that is easier said than done but only after

easier said than done but only after

easier said than done but only after this is done well we avoid the

this is done well we avoid the

this is done well we avoid the imagination of Muslims and actually do

imagination of Muslims and actually do

imagination of Muslims and actually do you think we’ve made some progress here

you think we’ve made some progress here

you think we’ve made some progress here the gain Lesbian Alliance Against

the gain Lesbian Alliance Against

the gain Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation this recent report finds that

Defamation this recent report finds that

Defamation this recent report finds that within the last ten years the number of

within the last ten years the number of

within the last ten years the number of LGBTQ identifying characters on screen

LGBTQ identifying characters on screen

LGBTQ identifying characters on screen has doubled also this coming year it’s

has doubled also this coming year it’s

has doubled also this coming year it’s found that 20% of recurring characters

found that 20% of recurring characters

found that 20% of recurring characters on TV will be black I’m not saying this

on TV will be black I’m not saying this

on TV will be black I’m not saying this means we’ve entered this new era of

means we’ve entered this new era of

means we’ve entered this new era of positive representation on screen but I

positive representation on screen but I

positive representation on screen but I do think that the ground is ripe for

do think that the ground is ripe for

do think that the ground is ripe for change but why why our executive slowly

change but why why our executive slowly

change but why why our executive slowly becoming more conscious of this I

becoming more conscious of this I

becoming more conscious of this I believe it’s because we’re finally

believe it’s because we’re finally

believe it’s because we’re finally demanding it so I want to urge on you

demanding it so I want to urge on you

demanding it so I want to urge on you all a new concept we have so far been

all a new concept we have so far been

all a new concept we have so far been putting the onus on the entertainment

putting the onus on the entertainment

putting the onus on the entertainment industry talking about how they must fix

industry talking about how they must fix

industry talking about how they must fix their representation of minorities on

their representation of minorities on

their representation of minorities on screen but to a large extent the fault

screen but to a large extent the fault

screen but to a large extent the fault is also ours we as an audience American

is also ours we as an audience American

is also ours we as an audience American and global have consistently supported

and global have consistently supported

and global have consistently supported entertainment that is not positively

entertainment that is not positively

entertainment that is not positively diverse and so from a studio perspective

diverse and so from a studio perspective

diverse and so from a studio perspective changing form for more honest and

changing form for more honest and

changing form for more honest and nuanced representations represents a

nuanced representations represents a

nuanced representations represents a substantial risk and I’m part of that

substantial risk and I’m part of that

substantial risk and I’m part of that problem too for all the love I have of

problem too for all the love I have of

problem too for all the love I have of the Marvel Cinematic Universe I can’t

the Marvel Cinematic Universe I can’t

the Marvel Cinematic Universe I can’t deny that 3-bits franchises are led by

deny that 3-bits franchises are led by

deny that 3-bits franchises are led by white dudes named Chris for all the

white dudes named Chris for all the

white dudes named Chris for all the bashing I did of 24 on homeland today I

bashing I did of 24 on homeland today I

bashing I did of 24 on homeland today I was only able to talk about them because

was only able to talk about them because

was only able to talk about them because I’m a huge fan of the shows but if this

I’m a huge fan of the shows but if this

I’m a huge fan of the shows but if this doesn’t change

doesn’t change

doesn’t change the lesson that executives will get is

the lesson that executives will get is

the lesson that executives will get is that not only does marginalization of

that not only does marginalization of

that not only does marginalization of minorities work but that it is extremely

minorities work but that it is extremely

minorities work but that it is extremely profitable I want us to come to a new

profitable I want us to come to a new

profitable I want us to come to a new understanding of how we evaluate our

understanding of how we evaluate our

understanding of how we evaluate our entertainment we can love a movie like

entertainment we can love a movie like

entertainment we can love a movie like American sniper for its amazing acting

American sniper for its amazing acting

American sniper for its amazing acting Direction production all that but at the

Direction production all that but at the

Direction production all that but at the same time we must condemn it for its

same time we must condemn it for its

same time we must condemn it for its simplistic and vilifying depiction of

simplistic and vilifying depiction of

simplistic and vilifying depiction of Muslims we can praise back to the future

Muslims we can praise back to the future

Muslims we can praise back to the future as a great American classic

as a great American classic

as a great American classic but we must detest that scene where our

but we must detest that scene where our

but we must detest that scene where our protagonists are being chased down by

protagonists are being chased down by

protagonists are being chased down by crazy living terrorists if we do this

crazy living terrorists if we do this

crazy living terrorists if we do this then we are telling the industry that

then we are telling the industry that

then we are telling the industry that representation proper representation

representation proper representation

representation proper representation matters to us and we see this industry

matters to us and we see this industry

matters to us and we see this industry as this gigantic untouchable monster but

as this gigantic untouchable monster but

as this gigantic untouchable monster but we forget that they can be crippled down

we forget that they can be crippled down

we forget that they can be crippled down to the ground if we just look away

to the ground if we just look away

to the ground if we just look away they are bound by our attention or the

they are bound by our attention or the

they are bound by our attention or the lack thereof and that is a lot of power

lack thereof and that is a lot of power

lack thereof and that is a lot of power and so if we really truly care about

and so if we really truly care about

and so if we really truly care about this we can make it known conclusion

this we can make it known conclusion

this we can make it known conclusion watch responsibly thank you

watch responsibly thank you

watch responsibly thank you [Applause]