Diversity Is Needed In Advertising & Creative Spaces

A conversation about diversity and inclusion is the need of the hour. We are already too late in having this conversation which affects millions of people all over the country and the world. In Los Angeles alone there are so many agencies and companies operating on only white employees. The data shows most creatives are white, few are Asians and almost zero are black or brown people. Out of the whites appointed, very few leaders are women. And the women who are in leadership positions are most definitely whites.

This is nothing but systematic oppression that has been taking place since decades. It is not only in in criminal justice, education, financial institutions, etc. where ‘others’ are looked down upon but it has always existed in our work and workplace. It is only now, we are having this conversation. But there have always been signs for racial oppression or any other kind of oppression. One look at the faces leaving the workplace or the company’s roster and you can spot your co-workers’ races, genders and roles.

None of it is balanced. Only a few workplaces are diverse. So what is it that is standing at the door as the gatekeeper and not allowing a workspace to be diverse? The hiring process is definitely faulty as it is not based on qualifications and skills rather on the gender and race of a person. People are looking to hire individuals from prestigious universities but unfortunately the gatekeepers stand there too and make sure the candidates are from a certain background and race.

Thus if there is no diversity in educational spaces there is bound to be none in the workplace too. This is the reflection of overall oppression taking place in our society where it is being made sure that women and minorities do not get quality education and if they do they never rise in ranks at their workplace.

When a team at the workplace is free of prejudices, accepts diversity, presses against stereotypes and moves out of their comfort zones, one will see how the space will develop to be more empathetic, compassionate, accepting and overall human. Creativity has no gender, color or race. With representation from every community and gender the space will be able to create more creative work than ever before.

As the table at the workplace is not balanced, the progress and ideas turn to become limited. With diversity comes the understanding of cultures. If one remains aloof, one will always mirror their own culture and gender preferences. This in turn makes their content unrelatable and unimportant. It can be easily spotted in advertisements where the narrative is by default about white people and their lives and upheld as the ideal American Dream.

Change is the need of the hour as this dead horse is being beaten for decades. New stories need to be explored, new dreams need to be seen. The dreams cannot be white anymore. Inclusion and diversity is needed to find a balance in the society. No token representation will do anymore. As advertisers we need to create new stories and vision to impact our viewers and consumers.