Something special happens when you’re a kid and you find someone in media—be it on TV or in the movies—who you feel truly represents you. It’s comforting at the least, and empowering at the greatest, to watch someone who you feel you could grow up to be some day, even if it’s a cartoon character in a middle school sitcom.
But for those of us who don’t fall into the categories of populations most often depicted in media (straight, white, able-bodied cismen, and less often, ciswomen), the lack of representation can do the complete opposite—make you feel isolated and lonely, left to navigate your own reality without the assistance of a fictional character.
Yes, that’s a pretty dramatic depiction of how underrepresentation can affect young girls, but I know that to be my own reality in looking for mixed families on TV, and I’m not alone.
In a collaboration with Netflix, Black Girl Nerds, an online community for “nerdy” black women, had a chance to recount some of their own memories of media representation. Using the hashtag #FirstTimeISawMe, they encouraged other women to share the first time they recall seeing themselves in media.
BGN had an amazing chance to collaborate with @netflix for #FirstTimeISawMe, where we chat about the first time we saw ourselves in media. pic.twitter.com/Y0nAApQ6tO
— Black Girl Nerds (@BlackGirlNerds) August 1, 2017
Let us know about the first time your felt you saw yourself represented in media, use the hashtag #FirstTimeISawMe! pic.twitter.com/dSdFcFsMvX
— Black Girl Nerds (@BlackGirlNerds) August 1, 2017
While Joi, Connie, and Kay-B, women from Black Girl Nerds, saw themselves in black female characters from the Marvel universe and Dear White People, Twitter users threw it back to their own childhoods in which Brandy brought Cinderella to life, and Susie Carmichael from Rugrats showed how important leadership was in the face of scheming Angelica Pickles.
https://twitter.com/freeblackgirl/status/892425492418134018
#FirstTimeISawMe was @4everBrandy as Cinderella. Had such a positive impact on my childhood and still to this day tbh. pic.twitter.com/rpve7sAa78
— Saf (@Saaafxo) August 1, 2017
#FirstTimeISawMe – Susie Carmichael from Rugrats. Black girl from a two-parent household that always had Angelica SHOOK! An icon. pic.twitter.com/4oK9jpTNTP
— Mel (@TheBaddestMitch) August 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/ShinyBlackGirl1/status/892419662243397632
https://twitter.com/28savagedays/status/892379313953263616
https://twitter.com/MelaninMomma88/status/892426160176549889
I was only a baby when the movie came out but it was all I watched as a kid. Troy set a high bar for my expectations. #FirstTimeISawMe pic.twitter.com/Aq8QaYQ0Ya
— Adrienne (@agmarie92) August 1, 2017
#FirstTimeISawMe was Aisha on Power Rangers pic.twitter.com/hwcEO3UGMz
— Danielle is now on Bluesky (@PantherNGA) August 1, 2017
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
— Chief White House Ice Cream Correspondent (@NTDubb) August 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/TheNYCFilmChick/status/892378347602407424
https://twitter.com/Honey_Ryder77/status/892387195763425285
https://twitter.com/WhenGeeksTravel/status/892405841239977985
#FirstTimeISawMe was Raven Baxter from That’s So Raven. A plus size, Black girl who was represented the fashion icon I wanted to be at 10!! pic.twitter.com/wYDY5yTVoe
— jalen brunson’s bangs ✨ (@JamillahWitt) August 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/coleinyosoul/status/892487769339113472
Fresh Prince of Bel Air was relatable to me and my sisters experience hence our Twitter name @TheModernBanks #FirstTimeISawMe pic.twitter.com/UIOawdN9SW
— Modern Banks 🇹🇹 (@TheModernBanks) August 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/aksala13/status/892487434327470080
#FirstTimeISawMe was in middle school, when the show Daria introduced Jodie Landon. pic.twitter.com/JAcaOJ4TWf
— TJ (@SithLordTJ) August 1, 2017
In addition to black women, other women of color and women of underrepresented religions joined the conversation, showcasing just who else media has underserved over the years.
https://twitter.com/hanlikesolo/status/892482905787772930
My girl Wanda Li from The Magic School Bus. Loud, opinionated, and literally trying to escape earth via rocket. #FirstTimeISawMe pic.twitter.com/eS7HM1aV4F
— Paula (@ptang_) August 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/cupcakesbrownie/status/892486494866329600
https://twitter.com/MalaysiaThao/status/892486550474244096
#FirstTimeISawMe an openly bisexual woman that wasn’t “confused” or “didn’t like labels” @SaraRamirez pic.twitter.com/GDXb6B1FD7
— kitty (@catrutig) August 1, 2017
Might be cliche but Disney’s Mulan was the first time I saw and heard myself represented. I was about 5/6 years old #FirstTimeISawMe https://t.co/6NfuAcYc1G
— Erika Chung 鍾嘉穎 (@erikachung182) August 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/seIinaivy/status/892488146973282304
#FirstTimeISawMe was in middle school watching Glee and seeing Santana Lopez pic.twitter.com/tuO91PWlZu
— gabe xcx (@lol_gabe) August 1, 2017
Of course, some women pointed to the reality that they still have yet to see one character that represents them at all.
https://twitter.com/lauren_manalo/status/892420807481204736
https://twitter.com/dmichellebz/status/892461423187685376
https://twitter.com/gabbinks/status/892488384651952128
https://twitter.com/orionskiss/status/892482887366320128
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 王美華 (@SFdirewolf) August 1, 2017
At least Black Girl Nerds is continuing the conversation—one that can’t afford to lose steam anytime soon.
