The popular Canadian based show Degrassi has been around since the 70s, focusing on the lives of teenagers in high school and all of the drama that comes with it. It has recently become a Netflix Original Series. The diversity of characters and topics discussed are extremely progressive in television. There is representation of the LGBTQ+ community, feminism, race, sexual education, and mental health; subjects that minorities can finally relate to. With only ten episodes out, those themes were discussed in about every episode thus far. The third episode, “#YesMeansYes” focuses on the importance of consent. The storyline was that Zig wanted to have sex with his girlfriend Maya, but wasn’t sure if she was ready. His friend encouraged him to be assertive with want he wanted and force himself onto her. By the end of the episode, he realized that even though they had been together for a while doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t ask for permission. In the fifth episode, “#ButThatsNoneOfMyBusiness” Maya understands what the word “feminist” means and joins the club at her school. Her misinformed friends are hesitant about it, using the common insult of describing her a “feminazi.” Miles becomes aware of his anxiety because his abusive father is coming back into his life, and tries to self-medicate with high dosage medication not prescribed by a psychiatrist. When he tries to wean himself off of it, he has a full fledged panic attack that is very realistic when you see him on the floor, having a hard time breathing.
A character named Goldi Nahir is the third character in Degrassi history to wear a hijab. She is an activist and the leader of the feminist club at Degrassi. She is extremely passionate about what she believes in but also quiet reserved, trying to be respectful of other people’s beliefs. She was discussing with another student on how the video games that he plays with his club at the school is very misogynistic and can trigger other students at the school. Backlashing, the avid gamer, Hunter, spits out racist and belittling words such as he was afraid that “she’d blow up the school if she didn’t get her way,” which is something that islamophobics say often to make them feel inferior. Goldi later on showed that she was offended since her whole race was insulted and stereotyped constantly.
These types of scenarios that are represented in the show influences the viewers and hopefully makes them think about the importance of social justice.
