Over the past decade, it’s become clear that diverse representation is necessary in mainstream media.

Unfortunately, oftentimes these attempts at inclusion can do more harm than good. From Disney’s “Aladdin” to “The Big Bang Theory,” South Asian culture is continually misrepresented in character stereotypes and gross generalization. 

Seeing characters you can relate to changes the game more than most realize. “Representation is critical. It can serve as a means of support and validation, it illustrates what is possible, and it helps to break down stereotypes,” Former deputy director for the National Institute of Health, Tara Schwetz stated. 

In media aimed at younger target audiences, it’s more important than ever to get this right. Yet, we perpetually miss the mark. 

The beloved 1992 animated film “Aladdin” is based on the Middle Eastern folk tale “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp.” While the movie gave us Disney’s first princess and prince of color, the fictional setting as well as parts of the original soundtrack incited racial controversy. 

“Aladdin is not an entertaining Arabian Nights fantasy as film critics would have us believe, but rather a painful reminder to three million Americans of Arab heritage, as well as 300 million Arabs and others, that the abhorrent Arab stereotype is as ubiquitous as Aladdin’s lamp,” wrote Jack Shaheen, a writer known for his work against Arab stereotyping. 

“Aladdin” generalizes several countries in the Middle East as well as South Asia into a kingdom they call Agrabah, with the main inspirations being Agra, India and Baghdad, Iraq. The movie portrays these vast diverse cultures as interchangeable, eliminating the individuality and uniqueness of each country. 

The track “Arabian Nights” features the lyrics “they cut off your ear if they don’t like your face/it’s barbaric, but hey, it’s home.” A film that could easily be plenty of children around the world’s introduction to Middle Eastern and South Asian culture highlighting the “savageness” and “violent nature” of Arabs is undeniably detrimental. 

The effects of this can be seen from studies such as Public Policy Polling’s 2015 poll that resulted in 30% of Republican primary voters and 19% of Democratic primary voters speaking in support of bombing Agrabah. A fictional country. 

Don’t worry, I get it. I grew up with Aladdin and find my family quoting and rewatching frequently. However, viewer enjoyment isn’t the concern. 

When deciding to make their characters diverse, film makers adopt a responsibility to portray these cultures carefully and authentically. Not only will this give audiences a newfound understanding and respect for these ethnic identities, but it will add further depth and credibility to the creator. 

Throughout Western media, there is a tendency to stereotype South Asian side characters. This list includes Apu from “The Simpsons,” Baljeet from “Phineas and Ferb,” Ravi from “Jessie” and Raj Koothrappali from “The Big Bang Theory.” These characters are portrayed as weak and nerdy, with thick, exaggerated accents. 

Side characters tend to consume little to no development and characterization on screen. Because of this, it’s easy to slap an ethnic name and darker skin tone to them without taking accountability for the misconceptions you’re influencing. 

These stereotypes dehumanize South Asian people and enforce discrimination. Kids who may look, sound or have similar names to these characters can grow ashamed of their identity and feel misplaced in their own culture. 

By no means do I intend to diminish the admirable representation of shows like Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever,” which portrays a young Indian-American woman navigating through high school while learning more about her culture and herself.

With producers like Mindy Kaling, and young upcoming actors like Aryan Simhadri, who plays Grover in the Disney+ series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” I hold high hopes for the future of South Asian representation.

Nonetheless, audiences must continue to hold creators liable for their work and demand proper representation to ensure all viewers alike get the chance to feel seen and understood.