Quotes / Watched It for the Representation

Films — Animation

"When I was little, I hated that I was Chinese until Mulan came around. I admired her as a person, she is so beautiful and so inspiring. I manage to love myself a little more as a child and I embraced myself for who I am because of her"

— A person's confession when speaking about Mulan

Films — Live-Action

Movies like Black Panther where black characters are depicted as complex, intelligent and beautiful are so important because it helps fighting negative stereotypes about black people.

— This post about Black Panther (2018)

I need everyone to thank Simu Liu for bringing Shang-Chi to life. This is a celebration and sharing of culture, language, and an impactful story. Today an Asian superhero exists and he leads his own story. This movie is not only beautiful, but Marvel would not have had its success without the stellar cast that took part in this film.

— This post about Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

A gay Italian character who is not stereotyped. A gay Arab character who is also not stereotyped. Neither of them fetishized. Both of them bad ass as fuck. And they’re in one of the healthiest relationships, queer or not, I’ve ever seen in an action movie. Two female leads, one of them Black, neither of them sexualized. Not even ONCE. Both of them bad ass as fuck. And they both have space to be their own characters, with their own arcs.

— This post about The Old Guard

I remember I was having trouble at school because I used to get bullied for being asian which made me insecure about my race and heritage. But when my dad showed me this movie and I learned about Bruce Lee, I became proud about my culture and background. Bruce really put on for the asians in this country and he also broke every negative stereotype against asian men. Thank you, Bruce.

— elchino8959 about Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Theatre

"How often do we get to see people like us being happy? People like us just being?"

—Shuck 'N' Jive

Western Animation

"Watching the show is a way for my Native friends and I to bond," said 18-year-old Ropati, who's Yup'ik. She had just moved to New York City from Anchorage and was feeling homesick when the pilot aired. "PBS did such a good job. It is like my siblings, Native youth and myself can see ourselves in it."

—This article about Molly of Denali

Multimedia

Wonder Woman made women everywhere feel so strong so brave so powerful.

Coco made latino/mexican people feel the elation of their visually stunning arts being shown, feel extra proud of their traditions, feel cherished

Black Panther made black people from every culture every continent feel such pride such happiness such warmth.

Love, Simon has made lgbt+ people from the youngest to the old feel understood feel overjoyed feel magic.

It’s more than just a movie.

— This post about Wonder Woman (2017), Coco, Black Panther (2018), and Love, Simon