As we’re nearing the end of 2024, there has been a shift in fiction. But has the world shifted with it?
Many popular shows have become more diverse in plots, worlds and characters. Black characters are a huge part of this, yet the representation isn’t always on par. In TV series, black female characters have a history of taking a backseat to the overall narrative of shows while simultaneously propping up the male lead. This character typically follows the archetype of a “strong black woman” which includes characteristics such as ambitious, brassiness, and unyielding strength. This archetype didn’t begin with TV as it goes all the way back to the mammy-fying of black women during slavery and the Jim Crow era. That early caricature was used to politically and socially sway the masses against black women and lay roots for exploitation.
Through extensive programming of the SBW (strong black woman) trope, women of today experience the mental gymnastics of keeping together a household, climb academically, and make bounds in the corporate world. This acclimation is often times at the cost of sacrificing themselves and their own needs.
“Everything is go-go-go, be-be-be, keep going, keep going, never stopping,”~ Tricia Hersey
This attitude does beget the progress when it comes to accurate representation of black women in media. These two popular TV series, The Bear and Percy Jackson & The Olympians, are proof that striving for change, no matter what, will get the change you seek.
We need to talk about Sydney
In The Bear, Sydney Adamu is the new culinary trained addition to Carmen Berzatto’s failing sandwich shop, The Beef. Sydney is not only a Chicago native but also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America like Carmen.
The Bear is a TV series that alchemized the SBW into a poetically down to earth character that represents someone you could meet on the street today. Sydney comes with baggage and nuance. Although, she is intelligent and phenomenal at her craft there is also the times she messes up. These hangups didn’t stop her from becoming Carmen’s right hand and ultimately bringing success to the shop.
The rise of The Bear’s popularity has sparked controversy around fan character ships. Canonically, Carmen and Sydney are platonic but a number of fans believe this will change with coming seasons. The tension comes in with the discourse around this idea. People believe the two characters should remain friends. After countless TikTok edits and other videos, it is evident that no matter where the show goes, people are still not ready for a black female character to get a good ending.
In The Bear, Sydney was instantly more of a partner than a coworker to Carmen. There are countless moments of their intimacy that showcase Sydney has access to Carmen’s inner world like no other character on the show. My favorite scene of this display was the infamous table scene.
This scene alone doesn’t have to equate to full on romance but it is evidence that swayed many fans to believe this ship could sail. Love aside, it is clear that Sydney holds a pivotal role in keeping The Beef afloat such as scoring one of the shop’s first major review. The series’ attention to her character arcs allows her to remain human and not become a stepping stone. Sydney has not only stolen the hearts of her coworkers but also the country after the actress, Ayo Edebiri, won over 7 awards for The Bear.
It’s interesting how with fans, Sydney is respected as long as she backs Carmen up but doesn’t overstep the friendzone boundary. This brings me to Annabeth in Percy Jackson & The Olympians.
When the author says Annie is indeed okay
Percy Jackson & The Olympians is a new Disney+ series based off the critically acclaimed book series by the same title written by Rick Riordan. As with all new things, come new faces. Leah Jeffries was casted as Annabeth Chase and the world was not ready. The announcement of her casting resulted in a racist online backlash that even the writer felt called to condemn.
Annabeth Chase is not the first character to be race swapped in recent times but as Rick Riordan says, “You refuse to believe me, the guy who wrote the books and created these characters, when I say that these actors are perfect for the roles because of the talent they bring and the way they used their auditions to expand, improve and electrify the lines they were given.”
Fans of the Greek mythology-based books weren’t only not open to a new version of Annabeth but even harassed the young actress. Now that the show has done immensely well, the damage still cannot be undone. If fans are willing to engage in online antics with racial undertones around both black female leads, what does this say about current times?
Still not ready for the good ending
The world has changed a lot in the realms of media and technology, giving a stage to innovation like no other. You would expect this to mean attitudes towards diversity and inclusion were included in this movement. Nevertheless, there is still an uphill battle for multifaceted black women to be accepted fictionally and in reality.
Many white fans still hold racial bias and prejudice in their belief systems and are triggered when these new TV shows come out with a black woman on the cover. These people shouldn’t be casted away as there is always room for growth. Stories like The Grey are proof that we shouldn’t be afraid to start from the bottom and work our way up when it comes to challenging systemic racism. Although, the world isn’t prepared, the good ending is still on the way.
Midnight is coming.
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