History and culture: Whitewashing in historical narratives and cultural depictions often involves presenting history from a predominantly white perspective, neglecting the contributions and perspectives of other groups. For example, in films or documentaries about historical events, the focus may primarily be on white individuals, downplaying the roles of minority groups or misrepresenting their experiences.
Representation: Whitewashing is evident when minority characters are underrepresented or portrayed in stereotypical, one-dimensional, or tokenistic ways. This can happen in movies, TV shows, advertisements, and other media, where non-white characters may be relegated to supporting roles or depicted in a manner that perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
Erasure: Whitewashing can also occur when minority voices, cultures, and perspectives are erased or disregarded in media coverage. For example, in news reporting, important issues affecting minority communities may receive less attention or be framed in a way that centers the experiences of white individuals or the majority population.
Colorism: In some cases, whitewashing involves the casting of lighter-skinned actors to play non-white characters or giving preferential treatment to lighter-skinned individuals within minority communities. This perpetuates colorist attitudes that favor lighter skin tones and reinforces existing racial hierarchies.
Lack of diversity: The absence of diverse representation both on-screen and behind-the-scenes in media production and decision-making processes can contribute to whitewashing. This lack of diversity limits the perspectives and experiences that are reflected in the media, leading to a narrow and skewed representation of society.
Whitewashing in the media has harmful effects, as it distorts the true diversity of society, reinforces power dynamics that privilege white individuals, and undermines the visibility, understanding, and respect for minority groups and their experiences.