THE LIBRARY

Why is it important to critique the media you consume?

Most of us who read and watch TV shows do it because they enjoy it. Entertainment is there for consumers to be entertained. While I think consuming media for pure enjoyment is genuine and valid, I also believe critiquing the media you enjoy is vital for your growth as a person and the development of society.

Media reflects real life.

People, in general, tend to forget that all media is based on reality with genuine relationships, emotions, and themes. It doesn’t matter if the characters are zooming across the galaxy or struggling through high school. Authors tend to pull ideas and feelings from their personal experiences, so every piece of media produced is a culmination of someone’s unique past.

So why is it essential that we realize this? I think it’s best to answer this question with another question: How will you recognize the toxic, racist, homophobic, and misogynistic behaviors in your life if you can’t point them out in fantasy?

I feel the best example of this is glamourizing toxic behaviors in romance media. Acts of possessiveness and…