Do you guys remember the show “Family Matters?” Sure you do. It was one of the best shows of the 90's. If you remember watching that show like I did, then you remember how Steve Urkel was the best character on that show. That’s right, I said it. The original black nerd on television, Steve Urkel himself, was the best thing that ever happened to "Family Matters." We all loved Urkel for his comedic timing, his passion for science, and the love he had for Laura. With all that being said, you know what the flipside of Urkel was? I kind of hated him at the same time.
Now before I get a bunch of angry comments from “Family Matters’' fans, hear me out first. Even though I liked Urkel on the show, it was more of a love hate relationship with him. While I liked his character (especially since he was like the original black nerd on television), I kind of hated him because he set a stereotype for nerdy black kids that would be damn near impossible to change.
Let me explain. You see, for decades being labeled a “nerd” was seen as a bad thing. In the beginning, being a nerd meant that you were weird, uncool, socially awkward, unattractive, and couldn’t dress. I mean, you know it’s true because we’ve seen this image played throughout media for years now. The only good thing that came out of being a nerd was someone who was smart. Other than that, it was always represented in a negative way.
However, I will say the image of nerd culture has gotten better in mainstream culture over the years. Since the rise of many popular sci-fi shows and super hero movies, being a nerd in main stream (white) culture has evolved into something cool where it’s more acceptable to be one now. The reason being is that someone who is a nerd has more depth in their character now. For example, when we look at nerds in mainstream culture back in the day, we would look at someone like the main character from "Revenge of the Nerds." Glasses, high waist pants, braces, pocket protecters, you get it. But nowadays if you would look at a nerd in white culture, you would see someone like Reid from “Criminal Minds” or someone like Felicity from “Arrow.” You see what I mean? They are both nerds but they also cool, attractive, and can be badasses when need be. Their characters had depth to them.
Even though the image of nerd culture has been steadily moving along in mainstream culture, in black culture it’s been taking baby steps. Don’t get me wrong, it has gotten a little better, but unfortunately the image of nerd culture still hasn’t fully been accepted.
I think the reason being is that in black culture the image of a nerd is still being seen through a narrow perspective of being something negative, where in mainstream culture it can be so much more. I can’t tell you how many times people would get surprised when I play some trap music or go out and party. They would be like “Derrick, I didn’t know you was like this. I thought you was into anime and that stuff.” So what? Just because I watch Naruto means I can’t turn up to Migos? Man, get the hell out of here.
The people I think who are helping it become better are people like Donald Glover and Issa Rae. They are taking the image of being an awkward black nerd and also making it cool by adding more depth to their characters.
Look, I’m not asking for much okay. I’m not asking for every black person to go read a comic book or watch some anime like that. I just need the stereotypical image of a black nerd to go away. It is so played out to me because it's 2017 and times have changed so much. Just because someone likes something different than you doesn’t mean they are not cool and don’t like to have fun. That’s like me saying how much I love chicken and going to Pizza Hut and the cashier saying, “ Oh I can’t serve you. I thought you didn’t like pizza.” What? A person can like more than one thing. Grow up.
But anyway, I’m done talking about this. I’m going to watch some Naruto. Or listen to trap music. Or both. Peace.
