Television loves to call its characters powerful. As a result, a new stereotype of progressive clothing was born.
If you watch recent dramas, the pattern repeats itself. We are therapists to our friends, emotional support to our partners, and the moral center of our stories. Confusion is rare, anxiety is rare, and hopeless failure is rarely tolerated.
Actor Welsh Opiah said in an interview last year: “Sometimes you want to play someone who’s not serious. They’re not inspirational, they’re just people.”
Viewers are aware. Shows where Black women are awkward, romantic, or ridiculous generate stronger engagement because recognition is stronger than admiration.
The strength is great, but the forced strength has plateaued. It gets rid of softness, stupidity, selfishness, all essential human characteristics.
We didn’t compete for representation just to be motivational posters.
Progress is not always positive. In some cases, there is freedom to be wrong without representing the entire community.
Let’s get dirty on the screen. Everyone else will.
Source: Pride Magazine – www.pridemagazine.com
