Frustrated by Frogs
It's frustrating when I make suggestions that could make the various projects I work on more inclusive, only to have those ideas shut down either because "We weren't given a note on that, so why should we change it?" or "Profits would be less if we did that." or "Girls don't watch these types of shows." or "This type of story doesn't sell." or "Boys won't read the book if the main character is a girl."
And guess what? All these stereotypes are true if we always do things the same way they've always been done. Rehash the same stories. Make everything look like everything else! I understand that these things need to make money. After all, it's a business, but it only takes one new and different idea to catch fire and become a massive success for that stereotype or the previously believed perception to change. Then every company will be copying that! But that can never happen if companies aren't willing to take even a tiny amount of risk or make any changes.
Of course, companies could also make small changes over a long period of time. But this requires giving the projects time to find their audience and to grow. Which these days rarely happens. If a project isn't an instant success, it's labeled a failure, and they move on to the next one waiting in the wings. Of course, it would be nice if they promoted the project and gave it enough support to have a chance at success. After all, sometimes, something new takes a little while to catch on. But the companies have to actually want things to change.
But maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps I should take other people's advice, not say anything, take the money, and let things go. Just do the work. But I don't like that advice. If I'm going to work on a project, then I'm going to give it 100%. I want everything I work on to be the best that it can possibly be. I can't stomach taking something on just for the money. I do the work I do because I love doing it.
While it's challenging to be told "no" when I feel small changes can go a long way to make a project more inclusive, I'll keep speaking up and trying. Because even though it's been done that way in the past doesn't mean it's the only way.
-James