Hollywood stars have always been predominantly white. From Marylin Monroe to Blake Lively, the bombshell image has mostly drawn the adoration of those who can relate physically. As time has gone on, there has been more of a demand for people of color in the media. In 2009, Disney released their first movie with a black princess and movies starring non-white leads have been spread out along the way.
The trending hashtag #TheFirstTimeISawMe compiles the way women of color, and really anyone who is considered "different" at least by media standards, felt when they first saw someone who looked like them in the media. Here are some striking examples:
Punky Brewster 1984
Gotta be Cherry on Punky Brewster. Her friendship with Punky was like the one I had with my white best friend. #FirstTimeISawMe pic.twitter.com/E2JpkejrBK
— Nikki Trufant-Wade (@NTDubb) August 1, 2017
The Spice Girls' Mel B 1990s
Or was it Mel B? Either way, these two are my first memories of seeing a girl with brown skin... #FirstTimeISawMe pic.twitter.com/PrftnYFOPf
— Dara Adeeyo (@DAdeeyo) August 1, 2017
Aladdin 1992
#FirstTimeISawMe was w Princess Jasmine. A pseudo Arabic cartoon character despite me being South Asian. pic.twitter.com/E7EfYA0dBX
— speaking belgish (@aviviavai) August 1, 2017
Power Rangers 1993
#FirstTimeISawMe: Trini from the Power Rangers. There weren't/aren't many Asian women on TV, and she kicked ass. Plus she got me into vests. pic.twitter.com/NbFD3jTPkq
— JC Lau (@drjclau) August 1, 2017
The Birdcage 1996
Mine was The Birdcage, seeing another kid with gay parents navigating life for the 1st time on film was pretty incredible 💛 #FirstTimeISawMe pic.twitter.com/JGAJtcQO1N
— Jess (@jjjjjjjjjaa) August 1, 2017
Bend It Like Beckham 2002
#FirstTimeISawMe Parminder Nagra in Bend It Like Beckham: an Indian girl whose dreams were outside the norm of what's expected. pic.twitter.com/5com3c3Og1
— Rukhmani K. Desai (@RukhDesai) August 1, 2017
Ugly Betty 2006
An awkward Mexican American finally made her way into our living rooms. 'Like looking in a mirror. #FirstTimeISawMe pic.twitter.com/w56K43IcDD
— Gina Ownby (@ownby_gina) August 1, 2017
Jane The Virgin 2014
#FirstTimeISawMe When Jane's grandmother spoke in Spanish and she answered in English. I cried! pic.twitter.com/jyPQO63RPz
— Latinx Nerds (@comosedicenerd) August 1, 2017
Moana 2016
#FirstTimeISawMe Moana, warrior chief, aka the only Hawaiian character I know who doesn't merely serve as sexy hula girl (or Emma Stone) pic.twitter.com/KVpN9xp5Sk
— T Kira Madden (@TKMadden) August 1, 2017
67% of American women are size 14 or over, and only 2% of media features plus-sized women
Judge away: Girls was the first time I saw a body that looked like mine where weight wasn't the character's main concern #FirstTimeISawMe https://t.co/ekmZr5vcfH
— Emily Hughes 🌙 (@emilyhughes) August 1, 2017
Progress has been made...
but we still have a ways to go
As long as Hollywood uses non-disabled actors in disabled roles & whitewash POC characters, it'll be a while b4 I can say #FirstTimeISawMe
— alice wong (@SFdirewolf) August 1, 2017