The power of unity and representation

By Jenna Munswami

By now, it has been over two weeks since the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. Watching it was a feeling like no other, seeing  all of the cultural references, and getting excited when I could recognize parts from my own childhood or family stories. With all of the North and South American flags waving high at the end of Bad Bunny’s performance, and the joy of finding my own country’s flag in the mix, I realized that this is what representation is all about.

My family immigrated from the small country of Guyana. Not many people know it even exists. Seeing its name get called out on national television, along with many other well-known South American countries, was a welcomed surprise for me. 

What made the experience even better was the community that was formed from it. Sitting next to my Puerto Rican friend, laughing and pointing at everything we recognized was a highlight in and of itself. The following week, social media was filled with people talking about how they felt represented, whether they were from South America or not. Sharing culture is what brings people together in the end.

As a society, we have come a long way in terms of diversity. I remember growing up and clinging onto any character whose skin had a slight tan to it. It is a joy to pick up any piece of media and find someone who looks like you now. 

This is one of the few reasons why representation matters. Identifying with something or someone is part of it, but accuracy is also vital.

This is why the halftime show was so good. All of the references were genuine to Bad Bunny’s life and made people feel seen. There were no stereotypes, just real experiences. 

 Diversity is important now more than ever. With an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and changes to immigration policies, we must show that everyone is welcome. There is no society in which a person is deserving of discrimination because of their race or ethnic background. Seeing statements of unity, such as the halftime show, is imperative to our future.

Unity is one aspect that feels almost forgotten at times. Everybody from different backgrounds has their own fight. However, no one can do everything alone. We must be able to uplift one another and stand together. We risk more division otherwise.

Creating unity can also include the small parts of life, too. Celebrate your friends’ different traditions with them, keep an open mind and congratulate each other on any wins. Learning about different cultures has always been one of my favorite parts of education. If we continue to make space for each other and are welcome to learn, then we will be able to maintain unity as a society. 

Representation matters in everything that we do. Sometimes, we do not even realize it and take it for granted. Thanks to people who have fought for equal rights and made their existence known, we have received so much in recent years. This is why we are able to find a wide variety of shades in makeup, see so many different kinds of love stories in the media and find various holiday decor in stores. While everything is not perfect, it is important to recognize how far we have come as a society and continue to push for a better future. We must always have a sense of belonging and carry it with us wherever we go.

For anyone out there who is struggling, you are heard and you are loved.

Jenna Munswami is a junior communication studies major