Friday, December 1, 2023

Unmasking Progress in Popular Culture


 

I crafted this board of devil masks to symbolize the portrayal of queer individuals in popular culture. The devil masks serve as a visual testament to a journey marked by progress and, concurrently, by its own set of limitations. Queer individuals were historically subjected to stereotypical or negative depictions in the mainstream media. However, the evolving attitudes in society instigated a transformation in how media portrayed this community. The emergence of a more diverse range of queer characters across various media forms marked a positive shift. Despite the advancements, contemporary portrayals of queerness find themselves contending with "compulsion for a happy ending." This phenomenon underscores that even with notable progress, there remains a significant journey ahead to achieve truly authentic representations. As I look at the board, I recognize the strides made and the hurdles yet to overcome in the realm of queer representation in popular culture.

-Dahara de Silva-

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