As you may know "OITNB" Season 4 has made its way to your Netflix Trending Now List. Some have binge watched the new season in one day, while others have taken their sweet time to savor each episode. Underneath the heavy Feminist theme, there lies several subliminal or overt socially conscious themes that educate viewers on key issues effecting society on a grander scale. WARNING, do not continue to read if you do not want the season to be spoiled for you!
Interracial Relationships
Interracial marriages have climbed to 4.8 million in the US alone; love truly knows no bounds, not even race. This is demonstrated between Poussey and Soso. When love is constrained to the limitations of race, it becomes conditional. Once two consenting individuals enter a relationship regardless of background a beautiful connection has potential to grow and inevitably help the individuals evolve into more knowledgable and understanding people.
Intersectional Feminism
Putting aside prejudices in order to ban together for a common cause such as police brutality inside Litchfield, demonstrates the true meaning of Feminism. As well as portrays women of various backgrounds constructing a shared agenda and strategic efforts to take down a common oppressor, the very definition of girl power!
Gender Fluidity
Upon entering her relationship with Poussey, Soso did not adhere to the confines of labelling. Soso did not identify as straight, bisexual, or lesbian; she just knew she fell in love with a human. Refusing to be confined by labels may frustrate and anger some, however an individual has the right to not be harassed for simply not choosing to define their sexuality, which can be a very fluid or mailable concept for some.
Black Lives Matter
One of the most powerful moments of OITNB Season 4 was the death of Poussey Washington; her death mirrored that of Eric Garner's from the method of death to the exact words "I can't breath". This chilling moment not only put a cap on the series it also gave a look at how media desperately scrambles to put misappropriated blame on either party, whether it be the victim who lost their life or the frantic cop who poorly executed his job. The media aims to villainize and victimize in order to sketch a black and white picture with no grey areas for the masses to process and digest.
Mental Illness
Mental Illness is often treated as a highly contagious disease, once sought out it needs to be quarantined, never to be seen again. In OITNB, Lolly was thrown into Psych where she would soon be removed from society and forgotten about. Mental help and evaluation is extremely important, however removing those effected with mental illness is never a true solution but rather placing temporary duck tape on a permanent break; inevitably it will worsen without true treatment.
Religious Tolerance
Judaism and Islam are notoriously pinned as perpetually opposing religions with no chance of reaching tolerance, however Cindy Hayes and Allison Abdullah were able to create a unique friendship despite their religious backgrounds after many run ins and petty altercations. Both fervent about their faith, managed to bond over common interests and mutual friends. Religion does serve to wall us off from each other, but sometimes it does get in the way of truly getting to know a person and what they have to offer.
Overcoming Sexual Assault
According to the National institute of Justice most rape victims know their attacker before the incident, which was also true for Pentsetucky. She overcame the hurt and chose the path of forgiveness because she was tired of carrying the burden of looming grief around with her. Through her forgiveness she rebuilt a friendship with her attacker and was able to verbalize the pain she held onto from the experience. From this newfound communication, love, understanding, and patience with one another was fostered. Pentsetucky's act of forgiveness was fairly gracious, however the message behind it was truly dumbfounding. Hanging onto pain and grief only attracts misery, which in turn brings more pain and griefs, with forgiveness comes growth and true healing.
