MEDIA TESTS FOR DIVERSITY AND REPRESENTATION
Our inclusive #WAYMiesInColor 20th Celebration embraced the #OscarsSoWhite call to recognize diverse voices and uplift new perspectives in media. We shared 7 tests that measure films and TV shows for gender equality, diversity and representation. We reflected on how our favorite films and shows measured up to these tests. While these tests are by no means a foolproof indicator of equality and representation in media, they are one tool to thinking more critically about the media we consume. The tests included:
BECHDEL TEST - for representation of women - There are at least two women in the film who talk to each other about something other than a man.
DUVERNAY TEST - for diversity and racial representation - African-Americans and other minorities have fully realized lives rather than serve as scenery in white stories.
WAITHE TEST - for representation of Black women - The film features a Black woman who exists within a position of power and is in a healthy relationship.
VILLALOBOS TEST - for representation of Latina women - The film has a Latina lead and the lead or another Latina character is shown as professional or college educated, speaks in unaccented English, and is not sexualized.
VITO RUSSO TEST - for LGBTQ+ representation - The film must contain an identifiably LGBTQ+ character who is not predominantly defined by their sexual orientation or gender identity.The character must be tied into the plot in such a way that their removal would have a significant effect. Meaning they are not there to simply provide colorful commentary, paint urban authenticity, or set up a punchline.
RIZ TEST - for the portrayal of Muslim people - If the film/show stars at least one character who is identifiably Muslim (by ethnicity, language or clothing), the character must NOT be: talking about, the victim of, or the perpetrator of terrorism; presented as irrationally angry; presented as superstitious, culturally backwards or anti-modern; presented as a threat to Western way of life; presented as misogynistic (if male) or presented as oppressed by male counter parts (if female)
MAISY TEST - for sexism in kids' tv and movies - Gender Representation: Are male and female characters present in roughly equal numbers and status? Gender Freedom: Do male and female characters subvert traditional gender roles and have the freedom to enjoy a whole range of experiences, unlimited by their gender? Gender Safety: Is the show free from sexualization of children, objectification, unrealistic body standards and misogyny? Social Justice & Equality: Does the show support equality and social justice in other ways? Can every kid see someone like them?
Researching these tests led me to ask, what additional tests are needed? I noticed most of the popular tests for diversity and representation measured for on the screen, what about behind the scene? What about tests for other types of media? Trying to find these tests proved to be a challenge, so I turned to our students and asked them to create their own. Here’s what they come up with!
Additional Tests That Measure Films & Tv Shows for Diversity and Representation
MIRZA TEST - for inciting critical thought about race & identity - Does the show start a conversation or make people want to question common narratives about race and identity?
(Created by Shahmeer Mirza, Event Planning Student)
YOUNG TEST - for representation of underrepresented groups - There are no stereotypical characters representing an underrepresented group (i.e. LGBTQ+, minorities, etc.).
(Created by Janae Young, Event Planning Student)
ALEXANDER TEST - for diversity - Is there at least one diverse friend group or interracial couple
(Created by Amari Alexander, Event Planning Student)
SLOAN TEST - for representation of women - The test is a tv show has a woman that has a discovery story that doesn't involve a male character on the show.
(Created by Kalaia Petteway, Design Intern)
Kalaia Petteway, Design Intern
“Not trying to spoil to the show but I named the test after a character in [The Bold Type] her name is Jane Sloan and she's a writer at Scarlett Magazine. I don't want to spoil too much but long story short she was at risk of break cancer, her mom also had it but she passed away. In order to get rid of the cancer she had to get a double mastectomy and get new breasts. In the beginning she wasn't confident in herself or body and it was hard to love herself again. During this time she was also seeing someone - nothing serious just casual stuff. He came over to her place and they were about to the nasty and she stopped it because she wasn't confident in her body. Eventually her dad came to visit and he gave her advice to along the lines of this, ‘plan each day of your life as if it was your last, you have the opportunity to what your mother did not.’
Even though her dad gave her a new perspective and outlook on life (also her dad isn't on the show that much) she began to appreciate her body more and live more purposefully.”
Tests That Measure Other Types of Media for Diversity and Representation
MUSICA SPACE TEST - for diversity in CEO positions of Record Labels - With this test you have to find an artist who is in a record label, where the CEO is not white.
(Created by Nevaeh Cooper & Morgan Wilson, Design Studio Students)
IMAGE OF WOMEN TEST - for representation of women in advertisements - The ad campaign includes women of different shapes, sizes, and races. Woman are not sexualized or objectified.
(Created by Ke’Asia & Shairay, Design Studio Students)
DESIGN DIVERSITY TEST (DDT) - for equality and representation in design - Designs show diversity all around in gender, race, sexuality, etc. These designs will show equality and representation of those diversities.
(Created by Jayla brown, Design Studio Student)
MORALES TEST - for diversity and representation in video games - The video game features a main protagonist who is not a white man or woman, and whose culture is presented in an informed manner, showing that proper research and care was put into building their story.
(Created by Deshaun Fortune, Design Intern)
Deshaun Fortune, Design Intern
“I decided to make this test because People of Color are underrepresented in video games, and the few times that they are it's as sidekicks or criminals. Two video games that pass this test with flying colors are Uncharted: Lost Legacy and the test namesake, Spider-Man: Miles Morales.”
Tests For Baltimore Films
NATIVE CREW TEST - for a Baltimore-based film crew for films based in/on Baltimore - The crew members (from pre-production to post-production) need to be at least 50% from Baltimore, and 50% of the "big" roles (Director, writer, producer, editor, etc.) need to be from Baltimore. For this test, "From Baltimore" means currently living in Baltimore and have been living here for 8+ years.
(Created by Tahir Juba, Producer & Arts2Work Multimedia Apprentice)
TOURIST TEST - for representation of the culture and diversity of Baltimore City - The film features locations other than the Inner Harbor or the Graffiti Alley unless it's vital to the story.
(Created by Tahir Juba, Producer & Arts2Work Multimedia Apprentice)
Tahir Juba, Producer & Arts2Work Multimedia Apprentice
“[I created the Native Crew Test] because when people work on a film about Baltimore and they aren't from Baltimore, it feels like appropriation and the outcomes are usually bias from an outsiders point of view.
Pretty much everything we do at WAYM passes the test and Charm City Kings fails the test.
The Tourist Test came to mind because media blatantly ignores the other parts of Baltimore unless they are showing off something negative. Makes it seem like the Inner Harbor is the only place that is ‘good’ in Baltimore.”
We hope that one day, the people in front of the camera, and the people behind it, reflect our city and our society. Join us by investing in that future today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hannah Shaw is the Communications Specialist at WAYM. She is a multidisciplinary designer and received her BS in Marketing from UMD and MA in Social Design from MICA.