Hey YouTubers, India is More Than Just Slums and Crowded Markets
YouTubers need to realise that their depiction of India contributes to stereotypes.
A video by YouTuber Jacob Laukaitis – in which he records his five-day stay in Mumbai’s Dharavi slum and calls it a “life changing experience” – has been making the rounds on the Internet.
At several instances, Laukaitis highlights the extremely difficult living conditions in the world’s largest slum, and commends the residents for their “extraordinarily compassionate and positive attitude towards life.”
Although he has a positive outlook, the video content inevitably portrays India in a stereotypical manner. Instances such as the YouTuber bathing in the open and visiting an area inundated with garbage give an impression that India is limited to its portrayal in the video.
India seems to be one of the most popular destination for YouTubers. However, the country is often depicted as an exotic, underdeveloped land.
By specifically choosing locations that highlight the age-old image of India being backward, YouTubers contribute to the stereotypes that have plagued the country’s global image.
Still a Land of Snake Charmers
Despite being one of the strongest and fastest growing economy in the world, India still struggles to shed its image of being a land of snake charmers, mostly because of how it is portrayed in films, pop culture and on social media.
Although poverty is a real problem in India, YouTubers need to ensure that they not only are aware of the diverse Indian society but also use their platform in a manner that offers more than just one perspective of this multifaceted country.
Views = Opinions
The weird fixation of content creators on India’s poverty has influenced the way millions of people view India. Several YouTube vlogs about India, including ones from extremely popular YouTubers like Shay Mitchell, often show how roads in India filed with cows and unhygienic markets.
An Unseen Side
The side of India that most of us witness every day is left unseen. YouTubers and other content creators need to realise the magnitude of their influence on society and just how much can they alter a person’s perception.
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