Uncovering the Mirror: Representation in Media: Recent Episodes
Angie Williamson
This podcast discusses the importance of diverse identities and representation in the media, more specifically in young adult literature. The podcast also discusses the harm in not showing this representation by interviewing individuals with different backgrounds to get their opinions on the representation, or lack thereof, that they see in the media.
On this episode, our host Angie interviews Jarika who discusses Native American representation in the media and the negative stereotypes that have been continuously reused. Some of the media discussed in this episode is Disney's Pocahontas and Peter Pan, the video game Until Dawn, and Twilight. The episode also discusses what the duo feels like is next for Native American representation.
On this episode, Angie and their guest Landon stray away from the confines of young adult literature to discuss trans and queer representation in the horror genre. The discussions presented in the episode cover the different terms for "transgender" presented in the media as well as discussing some classic horror literature and films including Silence of the Lambs, Psycho, and Sleepaway Camp. This episode is explicit in nature due to the topics being covered.
On this episode of Uncovering the Mirror, Angie interviews two guests, Alex and Marisol, in a discussion about representation for people of color. Alex talks about the struggles with identity when regarding being mixed (White and Japanese) while Mari discusses some struggles with Hispanic representation. The trio discusses how the inclusion of people of color representation can continue in the future while bringing up some controversies with literature now, including the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling.
This episode mostly focused on representation for Trans people and the need for kids to see themselves in young adult literature and in the media. Aedyn gave some clear examples for himself as a trans man and Angie talked about being non-binary and transmasculine, in regards to the lack of representation they see in media. They also explore where they would like to see media and literature continue the journey for trans representation.
In this episode, our host Angie, discusses more in-depth their involvement with the genre of young adult literature as it relates to growing up in what they feel is an unusual home life. Content discussed in this episode include growing up around substance abuse and addiction and the overall importance of having discussions and representation for the hard topics of life.
This episode, Angie goes more in-depth on what the podcast's future episodes will include such as representation for differing minority groups and what kind of guests the podcast will host.