The entertainment industry has long been a mirror reflecting society — but more often than not, it has offered a distorted reflection. For decades, Hollywood and the global showbiz world have been dominated by a narrow set of voices, faces, and stories. Only in recent years has there been a broader push for diversity and representation — not just in who is on screen, but in who creates, directs, produces, and profits from the stories that shape our culture.
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For much of the 20th century, mainstream entertainment largely centered on white, heterosexual, able-bodied men — both as protagonists and as creators. Women were often relegated to side characters or romantic interests. People of color were stereotyped or erased. LGBTQ+ characters were invisible or ridiculed. Disabled people were either pitied or villainized. These limitations weren’t just unfortunate; they actively shaped societal attitudes and reinforced harmful norms.
The lack of diversity wasn’t accidental. It was systemic. Casting directors, studio executives, and network heads were overwhelmingly white and male. Decisions about what stories got told — and who got to tell them — were made within a narrow power structure. This not only limited the types of narratives that reached the public but also prevented talented artists from marginalized communities from advancing their careers.
