July 4th 2024.
The latest show to face cancellation is Douglas is Cancelled, and it seems that the culprit behind its downfall is none other than the notorious "woke" Gen Z kids. You know the ones - they speak in political cliches and give off an air of superiority. It's enough to make you groan in despair, especially when 19-year-old Claudia labels her mother's toilet flush as a "microaggression" during an argument. Once again, the socially-forward Gen Zers have been misrepresented on screen.
The show, written by 62-year-old Steven Moffat, follows the story of Claudia and her father, Douglas. But rather than being a well-written and relatable portrayal of a Gen Z student, Claudia's character falls flat. She constantly criticizes adults for their progressive failures and seems to have missed the memo about picking her battles. Her self-righteousness even leads Douglas to accuse her of being part of a "cult". It's a textbook example of how not to write a Gen Z character.
As a member of Gen Z myself, I have no problem standing up for my beliefs and calling out problematic behavior. I've had debates with my family, older relatives, and even strangers about important issues. But I am not a walking, talking machine spewing out rehearsed political quips. And neither are any of my peers. We are complex individuals, not caricatures of "social justice warriors".
In recent years, there has been a trend of including Gen Z characters in TV shows and films, with varying levels of success. Some attempts, like Russell T Davies' Doctor Who specials, have fallen short. Others, like Netflix's Wednesday and the film Prom Pact, have tackled important topics but still missed the mark with cringy dialogue and over-simplified debates. The Netflix series Ginny and Georgia even sparked backlash from young people for its clumsy attempts at representation.
But the problem goes beyond just cringe-worthy lines. These inaccurate portrayals of Gen Z characters perpetuate harmful stereotypes and undermine the important work that young people are doing to raise awareness and fight for social justice. We are more than just our ideology - we are complex individuals with diverse experiences.
Instead of relying on lazy stereotypes, perhaps screenwriters should take a page out of the book of "Inside Out 2", which hired teen advisors to accurately portray the horrors of puberty. The film's success is a testament to the power of authenticity. And it's worth considering hiring Gen Z proofreaders for relevant TV shows and films to help combat these harmful stereotypes.
It's time for a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of Gen Z on screen. We are more than just the "woke" stereotype. Our views are just one aspect of our personalities, and we are human, with all the complexities and flaws that come with it. Let's see more diverse and relatable Gen Z characters on our screens, instead of the same tired cliches.
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