The End of an Era

The End of an Era

Welcome back to the last blog entry of Unapologetic on Screen. This week will be about the future of black women in television and film.

So, where is this going?

After spending eight weeks talking about the good and bad representation of black women, where is it going?

I’d say there’s progress coming slowly, but surely. The political climate definitely determines what we see on television. We wanted more black television shows, so they gave us Blackish, Dear White People, and Black Lightning.

In the process of creating those shows, which is progress, they still feed into negative stereotypes or a not so well-rounded view of black women, which is not progress. One step forward, three steps back is still one step forward.

Deadline explains that there is a more positive representation of black women in television and movies. Research shows black women are more likely than white women to be seen as leaders.

The downside to that is that the black women leading often fit eurocentric beauty standards. Meaning, the black women leading are more likely to have lighter skin, straighter hair, and thinner noses among other traits.

Again, I’d call this slow progression. Great concept, great character, but poor execution on choice in actress. People are beginning to notice the pattern.

I found this tweet that goes into the typical black family having a light skin mother & daughter and dark skin father & son.

Are we happy to have black family shows? Yes. Are we happy they only show one type of black family? No.

Black Directors, Writers, and Producers

In Jordan Peele’s “Us,” he shows a different look for black families. The entire family was dark skin. With the increase of black directors, writers, and producers, we will probably see a more diverse representation of black families.

According to this article, black people working behind the scenes are responsible for creating more opportunities for black people both on and behind the screen.

Just this year, Nia DaCosta directed Candyman and became the first black female director to be number one at the box office.

With more people like Jordan and Nia, the representation of black women in television and movies will only improve.

Before I end this blog, I’d like to thank all of you for following me on this journey of understanding the representation of black women and how it impacts society.

It’s been a long eight weeks, and I appreciate all my followers for taking time out of their lives to read this blog.

I hope I ruined TV and movies for you. This is not to say you shouldn’t or can’t enjoy what you’re watching. What I’m saying is that I hope the next time you see a black woman on screen, you think about what you’re watching.

Would they have a woman of a different complexion playing that character? Is she suffering for no reason? Are they making her too sexual?

I want you to think about those questions next time you watch a black woman in a television show or film.

I’d like to end this blog with a quote.

“We’ve been cut off from storytelling because it is the most powerful tool for change” -Erika Alexander, 2021