"Queen Sugar," created and directed by Golden-Globe nominee Ava DuVernay is the latest series to premiere on the Oprah Winfrey Network. It tells the riveting story of the Bordelon family, a distanced clan who is reunited by the untimely death of their father.
Not only do they have to deal with the tribulations associated with their father's significant debt and the low yields of his sugar farm, but they also have to deal with their own respective personal issues. Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner), a well-respected sports manager, has to deal with rape allegations against her basketball star husband. She also has to try to mend her relationship with her estranged siblings who she only saw during summer vacations. Nova (Rutina Wesley), a New Orleans journalist, has to cope with the repercussions of dating a married public figure within the New Orleans community. Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe), fresh out of jail, has to work hard to make ends meet for his young son whose mother is a recovering addict.
The show debuted with critical acclaim. Especially acclaimed was its portrayal of strong black characters who were not victim to stereotypical tropes. Instead, they proved to be multidimensional and complex. A central theme of the show is that of family—a theme that much of mainstream media gets wrong when depicting black families. Shows like "Queen Sugar" will do wonders for the black entertainment industry. Black entertainers have been consistently marginalized and offered predictable, one-note roles. These roles have perpetuated negative stereotypes and have hindered the advancement of black artists.
With more shows of this caliber, the negative connotations associated with black art will be substantially diminished and more diverse roles will be offered to black actors. "Queen Sugar," which airs on Wednesdays at 10 p.m, is a step in the right direction. It is as captivating as it is inspirational.
