This past year has been groundbreaking for Black people in television. That's right. You turn on your television on a Tuesday Night, and you will for sure be able to count at least three Black people. Turn to ABC Wednesdays at 9:30 and you'll see a whole family. It makes me extremely happy that people of color have been given some shine. After all, we are extremely talented. However, as I am starting to be able to count at least three Black people at a time on mainstream television, I've started to take notice of shows where the count is below three. The following three shows listed below have made me raise my eyebrow the most. Where are all the Black people?
1. Fuller House
There are Black people in San Francisco right? If you watch "Fuller House" you wouldn't think so. In the 90s when the original show Full House was running on air the casting directors at least had to audacity to cast two Black reoccurring characters, which was surprising, considering "Full House" is one of the whitest, American dream shows in history. So in my quest to escape studying for midterms I logged into my Netflix account to binge watch the newest version of the show. In the midst of all the Mary-Kate and Ashley shade I discovered that the casting directors forgot that more than one Black person lived in San Francisco. The "sassy" staff member in DJ's vet center doesn't count. She was only there for comedic relief. That's another story though.
2. Friends (The Living Single Knock Off)
I used to watch "Friends" reruns on Nick At Nite as I was trying to fall asleep. In my opinion it was cute, I guess. The relationship thing between Rachel and Ross was tiring after awhile and I never understood what Courtney Cox's character's purpose was, but it was amusing. I've only ever been to New York City once. In my time there however, all I saw was people of color. I know gentrification is a huge issue affecting the area, but it hasn't wiped all my people out yet. However, if you watched this show you'd think so. This show aired in 1994. You cannot tell me that '94 New York was whitewashed. Not to say that Rudy Giuliani wasn't trying his best to make that happen though.
3. Girls
I mean, I can't say I'm surprised. The show's creator is Lena Dunham. Yes *cue annoyed sigh* that Lena Dunham, the white feminist who has obviously never heard of the word intersectionality. However this isn't about her, it's about her show which is a direct reflection of her. This knock-off "Sex in the City," takes place in New York - Brooklyn, New York. Apparently a very whitewashed Brooklyn, New York. A hipster coffee house hangout on every corner type of Brooklyn, New York. An "I don't see color even though I'm moving into an area built up by people of color" type of Brooklyn, New York. "Sex In The City" was groundbreaking. That type of openness, sexuality, and honesty was unseen on television. I appreciate it because whenever a black show tried to emulate that it was cancelled. If you're going to have a show that is obvious in showing white women's entitlement at its best, make sure it's at least realistic in this day. You can't get away with being able to count the amount of black people you see on one hand, especially in Brooklyn.
I know, I know, black people had "Living Single," "Martin," "The Cosby Show," and "A Different World." However, when I am able to binge watch all those shows like people are able to binge watch "Fuller House" and "Friends" then maybe I'll provide some type of critique. Yes, that was a shot at Netflix, as well as Xfinity on Demand. I've been asking for way too long. I should have the right to watch "Living Single" when I want. It's in the Constitution.
