ABSTRACT
This chapter explores three ways—sometimes conflicting—in which ethnic, racial, cultural and sexual diversity is represented in the media.’ It focuses on how diversity is portrayed in American media, and how different cultural groups have attempted to push beyond the mainstream to ensure that every voice be heard, and every face be equally and accurately represented, among all media outlets. Immigrant communities, in particular, have used the media to celebrate and perpetuate their rich heritages, thereby giving new generations the gift of their ethnic roots. The lack of elected representatives in government made African-American media producers, and especially black radio radio disc jockeys and commentators, the most effective representatives of their communities. While the film's cultural roots are well presented, it is left up to audiences to decide if Depp's intriguing and at times humorous interpretation of a traditional Native American holy man trumps the fact that he is not a Native American actor.
