Dear Readers, it’s been a while since I last posted a blog. I think I can explain why. Despite my having retired from teaching years ago, I still react to June’s arrival just as I used to react. I begin to breathe more easily, and I realize I have more than eighteen minutes to eat lunch, check my mail, and use the loo. Generally speaking, I slow my roll. During the past month I may have returned to those habits of yesteryear. I’ve given myself permission to avoid feeling any self-imposed pressure to engage in any projects, written or otherwise… until this morning that is.
The unrelenting news stories about you-know-who and his band of deluded/delusional followers, (excluding his wife and youngest son who have packed their bags and taken off for parts unknown instead of celebrating his birthday with him,) inspired me to research the history of Germany during the 1920’s and 30’s. Comparing the events of that time to what is transpiring now in the U.S. has made me anxious about our nation’s future as well as that of my loved ones and myself. Believe me, I’d much rather read about those horrible years than experience the horror and atrocities in real time.
In looking for opportunities to distract myself from my existential fears, I decided to look for evidence of positive trends, practices, and changes that surround us. Maybe I’ve failed to notice the changes that tilt toward tolerance and inclusion.
Because representation of all types helps people feel validated, and because ruminating about a second trump presidency, (or worse, DeSantis as POTUS,) I’ve vowed to pay attention to examples of representation I see in TV and print-media ads. I’ll create a chart listing ads that feature people of color, multi-racial couples/families, LGBTQ friends/families, disabled persons, older adults, and for good measure, people performing acts of kindness for others. I’ll note the network, the product in the advert, the type of representation in the ad, and the time of day when I’ve seen the ad.
If the advertised product is something I can/do use, I’ll buy it. If it isn’t, I’ll write to the company that produces it and thank them for upholding the tenants of equality promised but not yet delivered to “we the people.”
Please let me know if you do a similar project, especially if you live in a region other than the Northeast. I’ll be interested to learn your results and conclusions.
Renée Bess ©2023
AS far removed as possible from the world of statisticians, Renée writes novels, short fiction, poetry, and opinion pieces/blogs. She is a recipient of the 2019 Alice B. Readers Award, and along with her co-editor, Lee Lynch, the 2018 winner of the Golden Crown Literary Society’s Best Anthology Award. Her work is published by Flashpoint Publications. Renée tries to express her gratitude for life each day. For info. regarding her books, please visit her website: http://www.reneebess.com
The Wide Window 
I commend you for doing this, Renee. I believe in the art of the boycott (a certain chicken sandwich will never pass my lips, for example), but I like your idea as well. Withholding our business is one thing, but a purchase and/or a letter to companies thanking them for reflecting shared values (or even just making us visible) in their advertisements is just as important. Please share what responses you get, would you? I hope you don’t mind, but I may try it myself!
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Karen, thanks for responding to my essay. I encourage you to do this project. So far, I’ve recorded my observations from only one network during a limited time of day. It’s been suggested (okay…Viv suggested,) that I stay with the same network, but select a different span of time. After that, I’ll migrate to another network, but watch during the same time slots. Having written her doctoral dissertation which involved doing statistical analyses, Viv is comfortable working with statistics. I will be comfortable with her interpretation of my observations. Whew!!
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George Takei puts out a weekly newsletter entitled “Wins of the Week” that you might like. I’ll find one in my email box and forward it to you.
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Agree with you, and Karen. A letter, email, tweet, note to companies & organizations lifting up tolerance, empathy, community, unity, kindness will go on my “to do” list. Thanks, Renée.
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THANK YOU, Cheryl! I trust your opinion because it’s based on your years of experience in the television industry.
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