Inclusivity and Respect

 

I have stopped watching Pakistani television a long time back reason being the audacity to portray people of color is such a bad light. I was scrolling through the You Tube application when I came across this image. Upon, further research I came to know it’s one of the popular drama series on Ary Digital and I was immediately sickening to my core.

The practice to paint the faces of fair complexion actors and actresses to show a person of color is morally and ethically disrespectful. Our industry has so many beautiful and talented colored models and actors why can't our directors cast them for these roles. Earlier, this same routine was displayed in Hum Tv most popular drama serial "Parizaad" the drama itself was exceptional at least this is what I heard but the mere glance of the actor willingly painting his face in order to portray the person of color was a disgraceful sight to me and I didn't even render upon the thought to even watch any episodes of the show.

Where I see Joyland by Saim Sadiq on a global platform of Cannes a representation of inclusivity of gender and normalizing the gender norms and talking about issues that are hushed in our society was amazingly applaud able. Ms. Marvel taking the universe by storm that has been written by immigrant Pakistani writers is brilliant that explains talent is in bulk what lacks is the perception and education that today we see and accept such shameful acts on our screens and perceive as "normal".

But what hurts to see is we are still way behind in revolutionizing the beauty standards and not being respectful towards cultures that summarizes the beauty of our diversified nation. The "Gora" complexed mindset still prevails in our society, where we do not give equal opportunity to people and prefer to show this incivility on our screens and corrupt the minds of our younger audiences. The most commonly witnessed images that are recently being advertised on posters of these famous channels is harassment forced love, forced marriages, are the stories that are on loop and are being consistently shown on every other channel in the name of entertainment.

Where we represent our minorities by casting out roles to people from different culture instead of giving an opportunity to the minorities that would not only bring out the realness but genuineness in the character and the culture. When there is a need to play the role of transgender we actually falsify a person into becoming one instead of casting people and setting an example of gender inclusivity and equal opportunity for all.

The only progressive industry so far is the music industry of Pakistan Kudos to the evolution that has immensely been seen in the past few years.

But it's bizarre to see Pakistani movies and television serials getting more and more cringe worthy every year. Any hopes of changing this toxic culture of obsessing over skin color goes in vain when people who can bring about a change are delightfully indulging and promoting this behavior.

wake up and educate be respectful. - Sana