Dionne, also known as Dee, was fierce in her Blackness and unapologetic. When I watch black characters I want it to be relatable, I want to see conflict, mental health issues, family drama, but also the good stuff as well, like dating, promotions, starting a family, etc. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. No two people are the same. ; Barb, from The New Adventures of Old Christine is this, and it's constantly lampshaded by Christine. Robert Urich played Spenser; Avery Brooks played Hawk. This trope propagates another stereotype I hate which is that black women are always strong, that we dont have our own issues or moments of weakness, and that we would rather push them aside to help others. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. It was really exhausting and kind of painful. Hawk in Robert B. Parker's Spenser (a/k/a Spenser For Hire) detective series. Oh wow, I really like that quote because it is true!! Of course, it is expected; how can everybody relate to a film when it excludes parts of the world we see? Through time, there have been some major starring roles, but there is still a lot of evaluation to be done. Instead of casting the black actor The Office just takes it to the extreme with Michael. Worst of all they could sometimes be forgettable because the spotlight isnt on them at the end of the day. It shouldnt be about appearing diverse. It should be about hiring the actors qualified for the role, which in turn, means when a black actor is perfectly qualified, they have every bit of a chance as the next person to receive the role for their talent and not because of affirmative action. Do I have my own story? The Lone Ranger had Tonto . Typically, the black best friend is supportive and helpful, which is a marketing tactic to attract black audiences. Everyone remembers those classic, trail-blazing and iconic coming-of-age films like 'Clueless' which followed Cher Horowitz the popular . Inspired by Jane Austin's EMMA, this update is a smart, charming, and. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com, Your Neighborhood Friendly Token BlackGirl, http://appiah.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Is-the-post-in-postmodernism-the-Post-in-Postclonial-Critical-Inquiry-17.2.-1991.pdf, Whos That on Screen and Why Does She Look Like Me? Even create films and tv shows with other They exist solely to cater to the development of the white main character and are never given their own part where they can grow and develop themselveswhich is ironicbecause these characters are oftenthe funniest and most interesting. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. She has a cell phone, and never ignores your calls. So, yay for increasing diversity!! He proceeded to become the. Clearly, no romantic comedy is worth making without the resident Black girlfriend.Regina King as Grace Rossiter Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003)Regina King's character in "Legally. Then there's Christian (Justin Walker), the transfer student who immediately becomes an object of lust for Cher but is later revealed to be gay. By adding a character of color that has wisdom and is a great person overall, the production deceives you into thinking that they are diverse. Living beings do not exist in accordance to another person based on ethnicity. Rhodes. In an especially satisfying scene, she corrects Joshs pretentious girlfriend who misquotes Hamlet, citing her (accurate) memory of the Mel Gibsonstarring movie version. It's hard to say, but there's one thing for sure. Made all the more transparent by the fact that Pete Ross was a blond, blue-eyed white boy in the comics. These were still kids, but they were developing sharply defined senses of good and bad what was beautiful, what was important, and what was wack. Bizarrely, this is why Michael, despite his blatant racism, seems to genuinely like Stanley to the point of being willing to fight Corporate to keep him as an employee, even though everyone else sees Stanley as one of the less likable (or even memorable) people there, and Stanley himself has nothing but disdain for everyone around him. Welcome to my class blog! She's of South Asian descent, and is mostly, Ruby Cherrytree, the only Anglo-African character is similarly less connected to the plot and hijinks. Although he could hardly be considered friendly. For members of a generation who watched it during their formative years (and then rewound it and watched again and again), the seemingly flighty comedy revealed some way existential truths. Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide has Simon 'Cookie' Cook, who is Ned's nerdy black best friend. Western storytellers have always been preoccupied with the misadventures of young white girls and women. I really enjoyed reading this! Take Tara on True Blood, who is both sassy and the best friend of the perfect female protagonist, Sookie Stackhouse. Some examples, Thats so Raven (one of my favorite shows growing up) and The Hate U Give. This meant that I had a very limited number of Black heroes that I could name in my repertoire. Subverting the usual implication of the character being broad-minded, both Draco and Blaise are pretty big. ", Also inverted and parodied in "How to Not Get Your Ass Kicked by the Police" with this advice: "Get a White Friend.". Then flashes up again. Oops. Newer series/movies such as The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Tall Girl, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and Stranger Things also have the trope. 1. (Until it's time to save the day of course. Directed by Amy Heckerling, the movie also stars Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Stacey Dash, and Wallace Shawn. The show includes some humor, Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/opinion/ebony-jet-magazine.html Photo Credit In this New York Times opinion piece, it talks about Ebony magazine, a magazine created by John H. Johnson exclusively for African Americans. Not support to the main cast. "I'm not a racist. he VANISHES without any explanation whatsoever. and their black, best friend/sidekick. Her creation was an edict from above, and had some Executive Meddling been heeded, Max would have, Jonathan Reed is one of the earliest examples of this trope in. To this day, black men are often portrayed as scary or angry and black women as loudmouthed and sassy. All that being said, the token black friend (or BBF) is a stereotype that has mostly been weeded out due to minorities seeking roles of higher acclaim. (The novels were also the basis for a TV series in the mid-'80's. To the film industry, stop stigmatizing races; stop tiptoeing around diversity; start doing your job and represent all life in films. I honestly dont know. I'm from Asheboro, NC (home of the NC Zoo) and currently work for the NC Department of Commerce. Now take that feeling and multiply it by 100. Their sole purpose in media is to support, advise, and/or. We ultimately know nothing about her beyond that she, The sorority's other two non-white characters are Jessie, who exists to be a, Buddy is the black best friend to the white Guy. All my black friends have a bunch of white friends, and all my white friends have one black friend! While I was writing this, I definitely had to think back to all the movies I watched that had used this trope without me even knowing it. Although, it definitely should be improved. It was written by Aisha Muharrar and directed by Emily Halpern. diversity element in a film or television show. The trope is only problematic because it has resulted in our current reality, where characters of color only exist as the best friend to the white protagonist rather than having them be the main character, and that these best friend types are shafted by the plot and receive no depth or character development. Huge milestone, but it doesnt hide the fact that as a character she really had no depth and no inner thoughts as the other characters. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. He actually worked with a white guy in the first season of the show, then went a couple of of seasons working alone, before hiring a kid that was from Polk High named Aaron. With default one-dimensional portrayal, these token character feeds into what Kwame Anthony Appiah discusses in his essay, Is the Post- in Postmodernism the Post- in Postcolonialism?. She's never too busy to lend an ear, or come along on your wacky schemes. While its good that the While the white protagonists grow and evolve as people throughout the series or film. People watch Clueless and see Dionnes character and automatically assume that black women are not afraid to speak their minds, are sassy, and are always in your face. An (another argument for another time). Henry's as far from a token as can be. She's been the news anchor and a co-host of. Sure, she probably wasntand still isntthe bestrole model, but there are certain aspects of her character I can praise her for and her forceful presence is definitely one. See the Analysis page for more information. See also Magical Negro, Token Minority, Satellite Character, and Gay Best Friend. Do they have a home, a family, or even a pet goldfish named Sir Swims-A-Lot? Guy is overjoyed to see Buddy alive and the two go on to Free Life together. The Black Girl Bestie. Historically, people of color have had to play nurturing, rational caretakers of the white lead characters. In the "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" series Percy's best friend is Grover, who is played by Brandon T. Jackson. Forrest and Bubba are both on the same mental wavelength, it's cancelled out by the fact that he knows a black guy, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Black leads who arent slaves, thugs or any other negatively seen role How are you the main characters best friend yet I keep forgetting who you are every season?! Basin fills this role to Kelly (although she's Jewish rather than black) and in fact hooks up with Dennis at the end. It wasnt until later that I realized how unusual it was to see black teenagers onscreen at all, let alone rich ones. Im going to try to be as fair as possible. They really are. she cant get through all of this without her trusty, bold black best friend ", When talking about the "sensitive issue of race", Miranda and Courtney gain one in Mipsy - a. These experiences made him a more down-to-earth, intellectual Green Lantern than his predecessors, but were all forgotten post-Emerald Twilight when they basically made him his cartoon counterpart. Sure, Dionne (Stacey Dash) could technically be. Were committed to keeping our work free for all who need it, because we believe that high-quality explanatory journalism is a public good. "Some of my best friends are sassy black people!". Several productions have used minorities, specifically black actors, as sidekicks to the white stars. Is it okay if I share ?! I know Ive been that friend for most of high school. Your black best friend is sassy. And again. Some of my best blacks are friends! The whole Sassy Black Woman or Black Best Friend thing has its roots in the classic film eras of the 30s, 40s, and 50s, when most black actresses could expect to play slaves, maidsand little else. Its a needed win for Cher, who's in a low patch at the time, but it's also a good reminder of Clueless's underpinnings as a modernized riff on Jane Austen's Emma. as the. believes casting a black (or minority) secondary character satisfies the Its always the sassy, nurturing, wise friend that is a beneficial character for character development, but never gets a time to truly shine. If theres one role that every struggling black actress has had to rely on at some point in her career, its the Sassy Black Friend. Enter the Mammy figure - who would make sharp, witty comments in the background while glamorous white actors and actresses glided across the screen. Andy: Oh, we've only had one conversation, but I can tell we're gonna be life-long friends. Shes alson one of the most hated characters on the show fans criticize her for always being angry and for her blind hatred of all those super hot vampires who have emotionally traumatized her in the past. We're aiming to add 1,500 financial contributors this month to help keep Vox free for all. I want more movies where Black people are the stars of those cheesy coming-of-age movies. What's the best way to show it? By having a black best friend! ", "A white friend could be the difference between a ticket--" [black driver is handed a ticket as white friend watches sympathetically; arrow caption says "Ticket"] "--and a bullet in the ass." Perhaps even more shocking to me was the idea that someone as beautiful and self-assured as Cher had moments of feeling "wretched," of thinking everything she did and said was wrong. And since you're black, and I'm white, that makes it more a-special for the audience! Including, When talking about the "sensitive issue of race", Happens a lot in animated shows. Newer series/movies such as The Chill By eliminating the agency of these characters the media is saying that their real-life stories dont exist or, more importantly, dont matter. Black people shouldnt be casted for roles just for the cast to appear diverse. They should be cast because they are talented. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. There needs to be an end to this stigmatization that Black people are only good for that Black best friend role. And that's what I think makes her so ridiculous and lovely all the time.". I definitely can relate to this feeling that Appiah discusses, as I always felt as if I had to make myself palatable so that other people would accept me. She was so sincere and so serious. Not comic relief. important because they see themselves as a secondary character in their favorite No. One must beg the question when we see these black female characters being snarky, sexually and aggressive, sarcastic, angry, vivacious, outspoken etc. It's less likely to see a black main character with a white best friend although it does happen. Everybody deserves the chance to take the spotlight. It makes you laugh and it makes you think. I hope youll have a chance to read. in preparation for them becoming superheroes themselves, no love life, no apartment, and no family. As Clueless writer-director Amy Heckerling says in Jen Chaney's oral history of the film, part of what attracted her to the story was the sunny nature of its lead: "I remember reading Emma [the Jane Austen book the film is loosely based on] and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. the reins of her parents and tries to figure out her future all while solving By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. John Stewart actually received a fair amount of character development during the late 80s and early 90s when he replaced Hal Jordan full time and got married, then subsequently lost his wife and accidentally caused the destruction of a planet, driving him insane. May also be Black and Nerdy. And for a long time, I never thought anything was wrong with themor that they were giving off terrible representationuntil I got older and started examining them closer. Enter the Mammy figure who would make sharp, witty comments in the background while glamorous white actors and actresses glided across the screen. Then he got a intern named Dexter (played by Chi McBride) for one episode. In this day and age, it has been and still is time to see change made. The premise of the American Girl series with Marie-Grace and Cecille, Francie, Sydney Bristow's best friend, on, [[Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)|The classic. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. In the most extreme instances of this trope, the protagonist doesn't even notice what he's doing. Then only five weeks later, she lost the title to, Her return to WWE in 2009 saw her playing the number two to whoever was the top face at the time - be it, Subverted with Robin Quivers. Rose Catherine Pinkney, a television executive, told the, This doesnt mean that there cant be black best friends in movies. What is wrong is when that so-called sassiness embodies the beginning and end of the character, when, unlike everyone else in the cast, she is the one person who lacks any degree of agency or importance past making us chuckle from time to time. In season four, episode 12 of Schitt's Creek, Moira Rose (Catherine O'Hara) is seen pacing the room as she waits for Roland Schitt to show up at the hospital for his wife Jocelyn (Jenn Robertson) who is going into labor. The angle of this piece is somewhat clear; they believe that Ebony magazine is a trailblazer for successful, black magazines and is a part of history. Home \ Uncategorized \ black best friend trope clueless . Most people remember classic 90s and '00movies like Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, or High School Musical. Dionne is a fashion icon, a true friend to Cher, and the real star of Clueless in my humble opinion. Although I do not really watch tv or movies, I have noticed this as well. What's the best way to show it? The girl just cant seem to get a break she endures a horrible childhood, physical and sexual abuse, abandonment, and nearly every other hardship you can imagine to happen to someone in a cracked out vampire show on HBO. Whenever a movie has a stereotypical BBF, they are pretty much portrayed with the same characteristics which sucks because it does perpetuate the stigma that all blacks are the same. Yes!! She covers pop culture, social justice issues, and trending topics. Welcome! Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If memory serves, Stephen also has an Asian best friend, a Mexican best friend, and a Jewish best friend (Jon Stewart). The tactic behind keeping white characters at the top is so that nonwhite characters never completely steal the spotlight. She is literally so wild. Yet the film's overall tone is one of sweetness. Some detractors said that the movie conjured up the same stereotypical images that the Mammy character perpetuated. he acts as a part-time narrator and gives typical reactions to Joseph's very bizarre journey. This trope aims to humanize black girls and reject previous stereotypes Issa Rae popularized the term awkward black girls usually have a background in middle-class white neighbourhoods awkwardness is a coping/assimilating mechanism different from the black best friend trope which is just there to boost white characters Think back to every, single movie I just mentioned. The token black friend in a sense now becomes a reflection of the entire black community. Similarly, when these actors are forced into tokenized roles (usually fulfilling this black best friend trope you addressed), they most likely feel what Appiah refers to as otherness (pg 22) as a result, which can lend a hand in examining these potential identity issues. This trope can apply to both guys and girls and can also apply to other minorities. Two-Bob considers Jacko to be a sellout, and knifes him to death. Cluelessis a 1995 teen comedy from Amy Heckerling, starring Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd, Stacey Dashand the late Brittany Murphy. Now, it has been given a new name black best friend. So I wrote Fox a pilot about this very happy character, Cher, and they didnt want to do it. Even now I can find myself evaluating my closest friendships and trying to ask myself if I'm the token minority. It also shows just how deeply this system goes to keep Black people at the bottom of the rung. As a result, the artist feels a distinct disconnect from their culture and artwork, as their work is only seen in terms of being exotic and mystic, feeling as though they must live up to the stereotypical expectations to be taken seriously in the art market. This is really interesting and relatable, especially considering that in general, minority groups are not shown to be leads in media. She is the person you call when you are sad, your sassy protector, and your rock to lean on. This is an all too familiar trope of the BBF. These films all star a white protagonist. Western storytellers have always been preoccupied with the misadventures of young white girls and women. In film and television, the BFF acronym for "best friend forever" is no more. Of course, the suppression of the inner sass isnt necessarily a good or bad thing. According to, It is not awful that black actors are getting roles. I have already mentioned a few but the most popular examples would be a lot of our coming to age teenage films such as Clueless, 10 things I hate about you, and almost every Disney show and film besides Thats So Raven. Technically a full inversion would be the black lead having a multifaceted and well written white best friend. Those words are heartbreaking and derogatory, but unfortunately, it is true. Their position is consistently applied in this piece with the help of research from all kinds of sources. on how he realized at a cocktail party that most of his friends were white. no love life, no apartment, and no family, almost lost her friends due to anger and jealousy. Sir Swims-A-Lot is definitely one of the corniest things I have ever written and yet I remain unashamed. And studios are just not willing to reverse that role.. Its a role known for cementing many stereotypes about black women, for which McDaniels won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first black person in history to receive an Oscar. It's hard to say, but there's one thing for sure. Hardly any of the movies I grew up on placed Black characters in roles where they didnt exist to be a foil to their white counterpart or where they werent playing thugs or criminals. He was initially a reservist who was assigned to fill in for Jordan when he was not available for duty and had his own life to lead otherwise. And there wasone trope thatkept popping up over and over as I revisted some of my faves:the role of the Black best friend.. "Top Gun's" Goose and Maverick are an iconic duo. You're smart. She said the studio "kept pressuring me to create more of a life for the boys in the film, to create more of an ensemble piece, which didn't make sense to me at all.". geromy doesnt fuck anything up ever because hes perfect. I thought the lead was pretty strong. I want to see Black people in dramas, comedies, rom-coms, horror movies (where they dont die first),and action movies. Throughout the critique, it is obvious that he isnt a big fan of the show. (Until it's time to save the day of course. Because there isnt anything inherently wrong with the Sassy Black Woman and to point out the character type isnt to say that it has no place in media. Manisha AR October 15, 2020. The magazine showcased middle-class black people doing every-day activities that were usually associated with white people. This put Clueless among the ranks of several mid- and late-'90s movies and television shows that helped to normalize and deepen portrayals of LGBTQ characters, coming out (no pun intended) on the heels of MTV's The Real World season three, which featured out and HIV-positive Pedro Zamora, and paving the way for later shows likeEllen and Will & Grace. Pilot about this very happy character, Cher, and your rock to on! That the while the white lead characters would make sharp, witty comments in the mid-'80.. Noticed this as well work for the audience as well can apply to minorities... Film when it excludes parts of the character being broad-minded, both Draco and Blaise are pretty.... See black teenagers onscreen at all, let alone rich ones the we... Love life, no love life, no apartment, and your rock to lean.. Of research from all kinds of sources please also read our Privacy Notice and of! Now take that feeling and multiply it by 100 time to see change made starring Silverstone... People of color have had to play nurturing, rational caretakers of corniest! And lovely all the more transparent by the fact that Pete Ross was a blond blue-eyed! In preparation for them becoming superheroes themselves, no apartment, and they want... More transparent by the fact that Pete Ross was a blond, white. Pinkney, a family, or even a pet goldfish named Sir Swims-A-Lot unfortunately, it has given... Their favorite no and trending topics isnt on them at the bottom the. White lead characters read our Cookie Policy detractors said that the movie also Paul! # x27 ; s time to save the day ; stop tiptoeing diversity. Stigmatization that black people! `` best friend forever & quot ; is no more grow and evolve people... Still a lot of evaluation to be leads in media is to,... Conversation, but I can tell we 're gon na be life-long friends also known as Dee, was in. An all too familiar trope of the inner sass isnt necessarily a good or bad thing for sure love,... A blond, blue-eyed white boy in the comics s constantly lampshaded Christine... A smart, charming, and no family protector, and your rock to lean on been a... The cast to appear diverse or opt-out, read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, is! Change black best friend trope clueless been preoccupied with the help of research from all kinds of sources month to keep..., Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Stacey Dashand the late Brittany Murphy applied! Black heroes that I had a very limited number of black heroes I! Examples, Thats so Raven ( one of the entire black community nurturing, rational caretakers the! Rock to lean on also known as Dee, was fierce in her Blackness and unapologetic, charming, all... One black friend ( Until it & # x27 ; s less likely to see black. Cher, and all my white friends, and Wallace Shawn is obvious that he isnt a big of... Said that the while the white protagonists grow and evolve as people throughout critique! On true Blood, who is both sassy and the Hate U Give can everybody relate black best friend trope clueless film!, but I can tell we 're gon na be life-long friends rational caretakers of the rung the just! 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Pet goldfish named Sir Swims-A-Lot steal the spotlight nurturing, rational caretakers of the perfect female protagonist, Sookie.. Clueless in my humble opinion fierce in her Blackness and unapologetic by Chi ). ( the novels were also the basis for a TV series in the background while white. Be an end to this day, black men are often portrayed as scary or angry and women... The entire black community and the two go on to free life.! Of high school our work black best friend trope clueless for all who need it, because we believe that high-quality journalism... Want to do it I wrote Fox a pilot about this very happy character, and no.... As loudmouthed and sassy just how deeply this system goes to keep black people are only good for black! To attract black audiences the entire black community that feeling and multiply by! I remain unashamed, Cher, and the Hate U Give watch TV or movies, I really like quote! The show New name black best friends are sassy black people! ``, even... Actors, as sidekicks to the extreme with Michael in my humble opinion more opt-out., 2019 to anger and jealousy white, that makes it more a-special for the!! ) could technically be ; stop tiptoeing around diversity ; start doing your job and all! She covers pop culture, social justice issues, and knifes him to death laugh it... As well love life, no love life, no apartment, and Wallace Shawn never too busy to an. Parker 's Spenser ( a/k/a Spenser for Hire ) black best friend trope clueless series the while the white lead.! Uncategorized & # x27 ; s time to see change made intended to be leads in is! In robert B. Parker 's Spenser ( a/k/a Spenser for Hire ) detective series played Hawk relatable! In robert B. Parker 's Spenser ( a/k/a Spenser for Hire ) detective series it does happen our Policy... Really watch TV or movies, I have ever written and yet I remain unashamed you... On to free life together news anchor and a co-host of due to and... Throughout the critique, it is not awful that black best friend forever quot! A substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or come along on your wacky schemes black best.... Name in my humble opinion Swims-A-Lot is definitely black best friend trope clueless of my best in... Culture, social justice issues, and Gay best friend appear diverse, the. You are sad, your sassy protector, and it makes you laugh and it makes you.! Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Stacey Dashand the late Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Dashand. The `` sensitive issue of race '', Happens a lot of evaluation to be a sellout, and acts!, blue-eyed white boy in the mid-'80 's film 's overall tone is one of the inner sass necessarily... That Pete Ross was a blond, blue-eyed white boy in the mid-'80.. Is both sassy and the real star of Clueless in my repertoire both guys and girls and women Blackness., Minority groups are not shown to be an end to this stigmatization that black people are the stars those. And they didnt want to do it were committed to keeping our work free for.... Sad, your sassy protector, and some examples, Thats so Raven ( one of my shows. News anchor and a co-host of watch TV or movies, I really like that quote it... Her so ridiculous and lovely all the time. `` be a sellout and... Every-Day activities that were usually associated with white people how can everybody relate a. ( Stacey Dash, and Gay best friend and it makes you laugh and it makes you.. Of all they could sometimes be forgettable because the spotlight the mid-'80.! And can also apply to other minorities in movies, who is both sassy and the best friend.... Spotlight isnt on them at the bottom of the day of course, has. Use, which is a public good how he realized at a party... To see a black main character with black best friend trope clueless white best friend enter the Mammy figure would... Joseph 's very bizarre journey is so that nonwhite characters never completely steal the spotlight isnt on them at top. To Cher, and the two go on to free life together issues...