Tokenism refers to the practice of including a small number of members of a marginalized group in a media representation or in a workplace setting, in an attempt to appear diverse or inclusive. However, tokenism often falls short of genuine diversity and inclusion, and can actually serve to reinforce harmful stereotypes and marginalize the individuals who are included in this way.
One way in which tokenism differs from typecasting is in the intent behind the inclusion of a marginalized group. Typecasting often involves assigning a person to a role based on their race or ethnicity because it fits with societal expectations or stereotypes. Tokenism, on the other hand, may be driven by a desire to appear diverse or inclusive, but still results in the same narrow-minded and stereotypical portrayal of the included individuals.
An example of tokenism in media can be seen in the character Cho Chang from the Harry Potter series. Despite being one of the only characters of Asian descent in the series, Cho is primarily defined by her ethnicity and serves as a romantic interest for the main character, Harry Potter. She is also depicted as weak-willed and fading into obscurity as the series progresses. This portrayal of Cho reinforces harmful stereotypes about Asian women and reduces her character to a one-dimensional accessory rather than a fully-developed and complex individual.
Another problem with tokenism is that it often results in what is known as “deceptive representation.” This refers to the inclusion of a small number of marginalized individuals in a way that suggests that their inclusion is representative of genuine diversity, when in reality it is not. This can be seen when Asian-Americans are cast in roles that do not accurately reflect their ethnic backgrounds, or when they are included in a way that reinforces harmful stereotypes.
It is often argued that any representation is better than no representation at all, but this is not necessarily true. Tokenism can actually serve to further marginalize and stereotype individuals, and it is important to strive for genuine representation and inclusivity rather than simply checking a diversity quota box.
In order to move beyond tokenism and towards genuine representation, it is important for media creators and producers to carefully consider the roles and portrayal of marginalized individuals. This includes avoiding the use of harmful stereotypes, developing fully-realized and complex characters, and ensuring that the inclusion of marginalized individuals is not just a performative gesture. It is also important for individuals and organizations to actively seek out and amplify the voices and experiences of marginalized groups, rather than relying on a small number of token representatives.
The study, called “Tokens on the Small Screen,” analyzed TV shows on all streaming platforms from 2015 to 2016 and measured the number of Asian-American and Pacific Islander series regulars and how they were depicted. It found that 64% of all shows at the time did not feature a single Asian-American or Pacific Islander series regular, and even in shows that did feature such characters, they were often isolated from the audience and not given familial or romantic connections.
The study also found that 68% of shows with an Asian-American series regular only featured one such character, and shows featuring Asian-Americans were often canceled, reducing representation by 21%. This perpetuates the idea that there can only be one Asian-American character on a show, and allows producers and casting directors to fill a diversity quota without genuine representation.
However, tokenism is not inevitable and there are steps that can be taken to avoid it. It is important to remember that the main difference between tokenism and representation lies in the purpose and execution. While representation seeks to promote inclusion and diversity, tokenism only seeks to achieve an appearance of representation. To avoid tokenism, it is important to create complex and fully-realized characters, avoid harmful stereotypes, and ensure that marginalized groups are not just being included for performative purposes.
There are also steps that can be taken to promote accurate and proper representation of Asian-Americans in the media. This includes amplifying the voices and experiences of Asian-Americans, supporting media created by and featuring Asian-Americans, and holding media creators accountable for their portrayal of marginalized groups. By taking these steps, we can move towards a media landscape that truly reflects the diversity of our society and promotes genuine inclusion and representation.
Tokenism in mainstream media is a harmful practice that perpetuates negative stereotypes and marginalizes marginalized groups. It is important to recognize that tokenism is often driven by a desire to appear diverse or inclusive, rather than genuine representation. This can be seen in the 2017 study, “Tokens on the Small Screen,” which analyzed TV shows on streaming platforms from 2015 to 2016 and found that 64% of all shows did not feature a single Asian-American or Pacific Islander series regular. Even in shows that did feature such characters, they were often isolated from the audience and not given familial or romantic connections. The study also found that 68% of shows with an Asian-American series regular only featured one such character, and shows featuring Asian-Americans were often canceled, reducing representation by 21%. This perpetuates the idea that there can only be one Asian-American character on a show and allows producers and casting directors to fill a diversity quota without genuine representation.
In order to move beyond tokenism and towards genuine representation, it is important for media creators and producers to carefully consider the roles and portrayal of marginalized individuals. This includes avoiding the use of harmful stereotypes, developing fully-realized and complex characters, and ensuring that the inclusion of marginalized individuals is not just a performative gesture. It is also important for individuals and organizations to actively seek out and amplify the voices and experiences of marginalized groups, rather than relying on a small number of token representatives.
There are several steps that can be taken to promote accurate and proper representation of Asian-Americans in the media.
One of the most important steps is to support media created by and featuring Asian-Americans. This includes supporting Asian-American actors, writers, directors, and other creatives in their work, as well as seeking out and consuming media that accurately and respectfully represents Asian-Americans. This can be especially important in a media landscape that is largely dominated by white creators and characters.
Another important step is to hold media creators accountable for their portrayal of marginalized groups. This includes calling out harmful or offensive portrayals and supporting media that accurately and respectfully represents marginalized groups. By holding media creators accountable, we can create a culture of genuine representation and inclusion, rather than tokenism or harmful stereotypes.
It is also important to amplify the voices and experiences of Asian-Americans in order to promote a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the diverse experiences within this community. This can be done through supporting organizations and initiatives that work towards this goal, as well as actively seeking out and sharing the stories and experiences of Asian-Americans.
Overall, it is important to recognize the harmful impact of tokenism in mainstream media and take active steps to move beyond this harmful practice towards genuine representation and inclusion. By supporting Asian-American creatives, holding media creators accountable, and amplifying the voices and experiences of Asian-Americans, we can work towards a media landscape that truly reflects the diversity of our society and promotes inclusion and representation for all.
