Growing up, I watched all kinds of TV shows: ones with all White families, all Black families, and movies inspired by Latin culture. I never thought anything about it. I was entertained. I didn’t see color or race. I saw a show, a story, and the people telling it.
Today, things feel different. Many people are voicing frustration and anger about the lack of diversity in entertainment, and as a result, we’re seeing major shifts in how casting decisions are made.
I’m all for fairness and representation. I believe every culture deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated. But at the same time, I also believe that some roles were naturally written for specific cultures. Not everything has to be rewritten or reimagined to fit modern expectations. Sometimes we can appreciate the story for what it was meant to be.
Growing Up on Stories of Every Color
I remember watching Hawaii Five-O with my grandfather and feeling proud to see a show filmed in Hawaiʻi that showcased a diverse cast. I remember sitting with my family to watch The Cosby Show, Family Matters, and In Living Color, shows that celebrated Black culture. I also watched Family Ties, Who’s the Boss, MacGyver, and Beverly Hills 90210, which featured mostly White casts. And then there were shows like Webster and Diff’rent Strokes that blended both.
I loved them all.
For me, TV, film, and music were never about ethnicity. They were about the art, the stories being told, the emotions they created, and the lessons they shared.
Talent doesn’t belong to one race or another. It lives in everyone. We all have a story to tell, a voice to share, and a gift to offer to one another. That’s how we were born!
Diversity and the New Wave of Representation
I know diversity has existed in entertainment for years, but today it’s more front and center. And while I’m grateful for that growth, I also see the tension it’s creating. Some people feel underrepresented, others feel their stories are being changed, and what was once a celebration of creativity has turned into conflict.
Take Disney, for example. In recent years, they’ve reimagined some of their classic characters and princesses with more diverse representation. I understand and respect the intention because inclusivity matters. But for many longtime fans, it’s caused confusion and debate.
And that’s the “mess” I’m talking about.
Just Let It Be
I’m proud to see more ethnicities on screen today than ever before. But for me, someone of mixed race, I still believe that if a story was written years ago with a certain person or culture in mind, just let it be.
Our time on earth is short. We should be spending it finding joy, not division. We can support the growth and exposure of all cultures without rewriting every story or arguing over who belongs where.
Let’s enjoy entertainment for what it is: art. Let’s celebrate creativity, storytelling, and the gift of human expression without constantly checking who’s behind it.
If we do that, we’ll be happier. We’ll be more unified and united. And we’ll spend more time celebrating one another rather than competing for attention.
Because in the end, life isn’t a race or about race. It’s about grace.
Let’s just stop the mess, support one another, and live in peace.
