Around this time of year, people often complain about how unrealistic #Hallmark movies are with their lack of diversity. But, the fact is, they *are* realistic in a sense. Studies show that most Whites in this country interact only or mainly with other Whites on a daily basis.
As an example, PRRI had a study back in 2014 that showed this data starkly: washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2…
Hallmark movies are actually being realistic about our society. They're portraying a White world with White structures, systems, institutions, and preferences, where people of color are tokenized or made to be background or at best support characters.
Most Whites live in a nearly hermetically sealed bubble from the cares, concerns, as well as triumphs and celebrations of communities of color. Family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, churches, neighborhoods, and other interpersonal relationships are overwhelmingly White.
The stories of people of color are only important insofar as they perpetuate whiteness as rightness and normalcy. Every once in a blue moon, they'll get a chance to tell their own stories on their own terms rather than in the backdrop of White norms and expectations.
If you're going to partake, then watch Hallmark movies as an educational endeavor. After parsing the (expectedly cheesy) romance, at the end of the day, you'll get a good glimpse of the America we live in today.
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