Netflix and Representation
​
Discussion Group
Facilitator: DAmiana Pyles
Reich College of Education
Curriculum and Instruction, Media Studies
Netflix has approximately 150 million subscribers worldwide, and it has fundamentally changed how we consume streaming media. Recently, as well, Netflix has created its own content, much of it dealing with race, gender, and sexualities in increasingly complex ways. This means that people are watching how identities are portrayed, (re)forming their own identities, and thinking through the representations of others in ways that are unprecedented and, at times, surprising. The way that race, gender, and sexualities are being represented in this public space matters, and in this series of conversations, we will look at different ways that this representation is happening in this medium that is becoming increasingly ubiquitous.
On the first Thursday of each month, join me as we will explore a range of Netflix's original series together in the spirit of mutual learning and understanding. These will not be lectures, but rather, we will come together to share our insights and understandings of these shows as we grow our own knowledge about different identities and lived experiences. Please note that some of these shows have difficult themes and/or are rated MA (sometimes simply because it's discussing difficult topics of racism, sexism, etc), which is why watching and discussing these shows together is so vital.
All are welcome to the conversation. Other than watching the shows, if you can, no other preparation is necessary. Drop in to all or any of these discussions.
​
If you have any issues logging in, please feel free to email me at pylesdg@appstate.edu. I'll have my email open during the discussion, and I can send an invite to your email.
​
All discussions are from 6:00-7:00 pm (U.S. Eastern Standard Time) on the dates below. The Zoom link for all discussions: https://appstate.zoom.us/j/3322504800.
Oct 8, 2020
Never Have I Ever (2020)
Netflix link: https://www.netflix.com/title/80179190
​
After a traumatic year, an Indian-American teen just wants to spruce up her social status — but friends, family and feelings won’t make it easy on her.
​
Netflix link: https://www.netflix.com/title/81303906
Celebrity readers share children's books by Black authors to spark kid-friendly conversations about empathy, equality, self-love, and antiracism.
​
December 3, 2020
Dear White People (2017)
Netflix link: https://www.netflix.com/title/80095698
​
Students of color navigate the daily slights and slippery politics of life at an Ivy League college that's not nearly as "post-racial" as it thinks.
​
February 4, 2021
One Day at a Time (2017-2020)
Netflix link: https://www.netflix.com/title/80095532
​
In a reimagining of the TV classic, a newly single Latina mother raises her teen daughter and tween son with the "help" of her old-school mom.
​
​