We Need More Carefree Black Girl Leads in the Media
In the modern age, as progressive as the media seems to be, this is not the case when it comes to the portrayal of carefree Black girls in entertainment. When Black girls are shown in movies and television shows, we are usually portrayed as the “sassy” best friend, such as Dionne in Clueless. When we do have the opportunity to be portrayed as leads, it often tends to fall within the stereotypes that are attached to Black girls- the “angry, loud Black woman.” If not that, then the Black girl or woman has to be struggling in some part of her life- she is never happy nor carefree.
It is unfortunate that when Black women and girls are portrayed in the media, it is mainly focused on a sort of trauma. Oftentimes, it’s showing Black female leads as slaves. And if it does not take place in historical times of slavery, it, of course, has to portray a Black girl trying to survive in a poverty-stricken neighborhood. Essentially, something always has to be wrong in a Black girl lead’s life for her to be able to have her life displayed in entertainment. Black women and girls are too often portrayed as “struggling” in some way instead of living life as comfortably as other races. The media does not make it possible for Black women and girls to diversify their image and identity as we rarely get the chance to be portrayed in multiple facets of life. This is unfortunate as Black girls and women come in all different styles and ways. Some of us are nerdy and shy- not all of us are "strong, angry, or loud."
Even during the peak of the "Amplify Black Voices" movement when multiple streaming platforms dedicated a portion of their platform to displaying and promoting Black shows and movies, the majority of the shows and movies were about the traumatic things that Black people have experienced. This includes slavery, living in poverty, and more. Such a great movement turned tone-deaf because many ignorant people believe that Black people and specifically Black women and girls cannot be multifaceted.
Black women and girls, in particular, have a more difficult time attaining representation in media than Black boys and men because of misogynoir. Most films that aim to add a sprinkle of diversity within their films and shows choose Black boys and men to represent Black people, instead of including both Black male and female characters. Noticeably, many all-white films and shows will always have the inclusion of a Black boy or man with the exclusion of Black girls and women. Although the inclusion of Black male characters is a product of tokenism, the inclusion of Black female characters is an afterthought, as seen in our lack of diverse presence in the media.
When Black women and girls tune in to watch movies and shows about them, we are constantly reminded of our race and the trials and tribulations that come with it. Most of the time, when we are portrayed in movies and shows, it is because the storyline has something to do with our race. Rarely are we portrayed for reasons other than the fact that we are Black. Yes, we are Black- however, that should not be the only reason why our stories are heard. All of our stories should be heard and portrayed, including the romantic, carefree ones. The “not-so-serious” topics in our lives deserve to be represented just as much as the “serious” topics such as slavery or other racial issues. The difficulty that I had conducting the following -very short- list says plenty about Black girl representation in the media.
It seems that according to the media, Black girls can never be carefree, soft characters, or love interests who happen to be the lead character. In these movies, however, Black girls are portrayed as carefree and lighthearted, and they are the leads. Granted, not all of these movies are about these Black girls having fun all day long. Still, they offer different perspectives of Black girls’ lives that are not all based on and rooted in trauma, slavery, or living in poverty and impoverished neighborhoods.
Deidra & Laney Rob a Train
The LoveBirds
Some Girls
Chewing Gum
Selah and the Spades
Insecure
Rags
The Incredible Jessica James
Been So Long
Atlantics
Blood and Water
Fig Tree
