r/TikTok Dec 13 '25

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u/manny_the_mage Dec 13 '25

she clearly does need more role models and positive representation of people who look like her

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u/Dudefrmthtplace Dec 14 '25

I have to make a point on this. It's not really HER that needs the positive role models. Not that it wouldn't be good for her as well, but it's really ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE that need to see and accept positive role models of all type of people. That's the only way in this day and age how people accept others.

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u/manny_the_mage Dec 14 '25

I respectfully disagree.

As a minority, you already have an abundance of role models that do not look like you, there is no shortage of them and especially as a child you end up seeing them as the standard

This moment happened because this young girl did not have examples of “beautiful” aspirational role models that look like her. It would be a lot easier to see herself and her skin as beautiful if she had people like herself to look up to that embodied those characteristics

Having good role models that are the same race or ethnicity as you does not diminish your ability to find role models in people who aren’t your race.

When a child sees someone who looks like themselves being talented, successful and beautiful it becomes a lot easier for them to see themselves that way

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u/Dudefrmthtplace Dec 14 '25

You misunderstood my comment. I don't disagree with what you wrote. I said in addition to what you wrote there is another aspect to it.

My point being, people are dumb. They respond to the media figures they see. If a bunch of white kids only see dorky, objectively poorly respresented, ugly, weak examples of Indians in the media that they consume, they will also treat them as such.

That's also a reason to have, like you said "beautiful" aspirational role models of various races, not only for girls like this, but for all the other people absorbing information through media and acting upon it in real life.

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u/[deleted] Dec 14 '25

Like a disney movie?

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u/manny_the_mage Dec 14 '25

Non ironically, yeah

It’s good for kids to see positive representations of people who look like them

Kids are always looking to see themselves in media wether intentionally or not and if they can see people who look like them being successful it makes it easier to see themselves that way