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‘Glee’-ful lessons on diversity and acceptance

By Gaveliers, The Gavel Media Team, on December 7, 2009 7:31 PM

By Nick Stratouly, Contributing writer -

Despite lagging ratings on network television, FOX has something to celebrate this year: the network’s new show, Glee, won “Favorite New Television Cast Ensemble” from the Multicultural Motion Picture Association’s (MMPA) annual Diversity Awards. The Diversity Awards celebrate the achievements of those who foster diverse perspectives and unity through film. The awards are meant to promote opportunities for people of all cultures and backgrounds to share their stories.

Historically, most television shows have not been beacons of diversity. In 1999, not one of the 26 fall prime-time shows had a non-white character in a leading role. The NAACP, upon realizing the heavily Caucasian casts and groups of writers, producers, and directors, called for the networks to change and threatened a boycott of the programming. The NAACP, however, said that the solution was not simply to have an African-American or Asian featured in a cast; but rather, that networks must ensure they do not reinforce negative stereotypes.

Since 1999, networks have made great progress. The networks have not only diversified their shows, but also their staffs. Shows like Showtime’s Weeds, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and NBC’s Law and Order: SVU feature at least one African American or Asian as a major character. Because of this change, the ratio of prime-time ethnic casting has risen to one in eight in 2009. Unfortunately, there still remains a long way to go and networks must be careful not to simply fulfill a “minority checklist” but really promote the true goal of diversity: demonstrating togetherness and unity.

In light of all this, FOX’s Glee steps in as a worthy recipient of the 2009 Diversity Award. Glee is the story of a group of quirky Ohio high-schoolers who, spearheaded by their Spanish teacher, Will Schuster, band together in glee club. The characters themselves are the outcasts of this stereotype-driven high school. The storyline focuses on togetherness — all the characters are in glee club by choice — and through their friendships, break down inhibiting barriers of high school despite attempts made by cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester, and Mr. Schuster’s jealous wife, Terri, to disband the club. From overachieving quasi-nerd Rachel Berry, to wheelchair bound Artie Abrams, to Tina Cohen-Chang, an Asian girl with a stutter, the characters display diversity in all its forms.

The tagline of Glee — “a biting comedy for the underdog in all of us” — alludes to the capacity for all viewers to somehow relate to the “underdogs” of the show. It takes this message of unity and features the cast members ganging together and supporting each other through the trials and tribulations of high school and life. The musical ensembles are usually done in a unified format, with the members of all ethnic groups sharing the limelight — a limelight that can only be achieved by all members of the glee club working as a cohesive team.