Have you purchased a greeting card lately? These days you can find a card for just about anything you can think of, except ethnically or racially relatable ones. I remember when Hallmark’s Mahogany collection debuted years ago. I was so thrilled because I could FINALLY give and/or receive a card with someone/something on it that represents me. I mean, it was a BIG deal for me because I love giving cards to make someone feel special and thought of.
There’s nothing better than getting a card right on time. Whether you’re sad and you receive some kind, loving words in a card. Or, you’ve just graduated and feel on top of the world. The feeling of being thought of is always right on time.
Fast forward a little. I’m not sure if it’s the mixed-up supply chain or a simple demotion of importance, but I can’t seem to find a diverse card anywhere. Not even the aforementioned Mahogany collection! It’s as if all of these types of cards disappeared with all of the normalcy we once had, pre-COVID. It’s not just Black cards, I haven’t seen anything that represents any of the underrepresented races:
- African Americans,
- American Indians and Alaska Natives,
- Hispanics (or Latinos), and
- Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders
After doing a little research, I did find that there are a few Black-owned card companies around. They’re mostly on Etsy or are just a small portion of another business. I’m not downplaying it, more so emphasizing the underrepresentation in the industry. But why?
There’s been Acts, rules and laws in place for decades to demand that media represent the population truly, but it’s a slow-moving act, I guess. For example, In 1968, the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to foster more diverse programming, and in 1978, the American Society of News Editors set a goal to have their sector mirror the diversity of the American population in general.
Even these have been in place for more than 40 years, yet African Americans have never made it off of the underrepresented list. However, I think we are getting close! With a huge and recent spark in diversity and inclusion, I’d like to say we won’t be on there much longer. The days of walking into a store, or logging onto Amazon, and not finding the perfect card to speak to how you truly feel are over.
You Go Girl was born as a means to help push African Americans closer to the edge of the underrepresented list. These cards come in all types is categories:
- Blank cards
- Birthday
- Sympathy
- Anniversary
- Holiday
- Congratulations
- Hobbies
- Just because
- Bride
- New Mom
So the next time you’re debating walking into a store to purchase a memorable greeting card, go to www.shopyougogirl.com instead to truly be represented in a real and satisfying way.
One reply on “Under represented races and cultures in greeting cards”
You GO Girl!