Promise in The Hate U Give?

I read an article from The Grio last week that mentioned the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference in regard to the promise and the state of diversity in the media industry. One line that stood out that pertains to the root of many topics we discuss was, “It is important because whoever owns the story controls our reality. And, whoever controls our reality determines who wins and who loses.” The article even mentioned the Kerner Report, and how although people of color comprise about 40 percent of the population, there is no significant ownership in an industry that represents over 20 percent of the economy.

Relating to lived experience and representation, the article discussed The Hate U Give and the positive economic, social and political benefits it gives creators and entrepreneurs of color. The author also commended Fox for giving Audry Wells and George Tillman the support they needed in order to take on this task. Not only this, but the article also mentioned that while this is prominent in the media, no real change can happen until the politics reach Washington. This reminded me of Reel Bad Arabs and the correlation between the two. It begs the question, can media content alone be enough to change systems of oppression? Can film and television offer beneficial outlets for social change, solely within its content?