What Did We Just Watch? – Episode 7
Representation, Progress, & Performative Inclusion

Content Considerations: 

This episode includes discussion of films and media narratives that touch on themes some listeners may find emotionally challenging depending on personal experiences and lived realities.

  • Topics discussed include:

    • Race and racism

    • Representation and identity

    • Marginalization and belonging

    • Performative inclusion and tokenization

    • Power and institutional decision-making

    • Cultural appropriation and narrative ownership

    • White savior narratives

    • Colonial narratives and Indigenous representation

    • Capitalism and commodification of identity

  • This episode also references films that include themes of: (however, these topics are discussed analytically rather than depicted directly)

    • Racism

    • Sexual violence

    • Trauma & grief

    • Family conflict

    • Discrimination

    • Class inequality

    • Institutional harm 

  • Listeners are invited to engage with curiosity rather than certainty and to pause, reflect, skip sections, or revisit content in whatever way feels supportive and appropriate.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • Concepts to Explore:

    • Learn More About:  

      • Critical Media Literacy

      • Narrative Analysis

      • DEIPAR Frameworks

      • Harm vs Hope Reflection Tool

      • Hero Narratives and Moral Complexity

      • Historical Memory and Storytelling

      • Colonial Narratives in Film

      • War Narratives and National Identity

      • Vigilantism and Justice Narratives

      • Gender, Power, and Revenge Stories

      • Critical Reflection and Positionality

  • Reflection Questions for movie watching:

    • Who was framed as the hero?

    • Who was framed as the threat?

    • Who held power in the story?

    • Whose perspective shaped the narrative?

    • What felt justified—and why?

    • What histories felt simplified or softened?

    • Who received empathy?

    • Who was asked to sacrifice?

    • What systems stayed invisible?

    • What assumptions about justice felt automatic?

    • What felt hopeful?

    • What felt uncomfortable?

    • What will you do now? 

  • Continue the Conversation:

    • Follow on social media

    • Watch clips on YouTube

    • Submit movie recommendations

    • Share your reflections

    • Visit the website for transcripts and full references