#Black women in media

[allenwalkersworld]

Am I the only one that finds it odd that Disney canceled the Princess Tiana tv series? I’m honestly annoyed and somehow I knew they were going to cancel it when there weren’t any updates from them about the show. It’s just so frustrating because I think Tiana is one of the princesses that never received as much content compared to the other princesses. She only got one movie meanwhile you have Cinderella, Ariel, Moana, etc getting second or third movies.

I just find it frustrating that one of their black princesses is not able to get more content like the others. It was already annoying enough that Tiana was a frog half the time in her OWN movie.

I don’t know. Some part of me thinks that there’s an racist undertone at play because how do you cancel one of your only Black princesses show? Why doesn’t she get as much content like the others princesses?

I just don’t find it fair especially since I was really looking forward to seeing it.

[stardust948]

Hi hi!

If it's okay to ask.

How do you like seeing Black Woman represented in media? (And fics)

I've been encountering a lot of discussions about common stereotypes and the media that perpetuates them.

And I keep thinking about Annette in Nocturne. Who is a great character.

Hi Gloomybadger!

I enjoy seeing black women in media as complex people who a lot of thought was put into their character opposed to stereotype or a diversity add in. Some characters who come to mind is Allura from Voltron, Mel Medarda from Arcane and of course Annette from Castelevania Nocturne.

Annette is just amazing because she beats every stereotype.

She's one of the main characters. The plot wouldn't have even happened without her.

She's angry but has a good reason and the show never treats it as a flaw.

She's strong but still needs Richter help to return from the spirit world.

She's caring and a good friend but still lashes out when upset and not afraid to call out her friends' wrongdoings.

She's a beautiful monoracial DARK SKIN woman who is never sexualized or put down for being "ugly."

The Mystical Negro troupe is a little fuzzy but I would argue Annette's spiritual journey was about finding her own powers while Richter rediscovered his on his own. (Usually in the troupe, the black character is solely there to help their white counterpart with no insight with their own journey.)

And, she's the main love interest to the main white character. Not a tease or placeholder until someone lighter skin comes along. Richter cares deeply for Annette and risked his life multiple times to protect her. They're partners and warriors in arm. And the show is not shy about displaying the affection between each other.

Media has come a very long way in how black women are depicted and Annette is the shining example. I really hope we get more characters like her in the future.

[gingerylangylang1979]

Black women who ship Carmy x Sydney, please take care of yourselves

This is written from a place of love, not condescension or trying to spank or belittle anybody. 

I guess I’m just growing concerned about many black women in this fandom feeling bad about this ship in a number of ways and some trends I see that aren’t healthy and uplifting. What I say may make some people angry. Some people may feel I’m dismissing legit concerns or lived experiences. I’m sure I’ll get blocked by some. Oh well. I'm gonna speak my truth. All I’m trying to do is give much needed perspective and say the quiet parts out loud.

When I see black women repeatedly literally letting this shit make them upset and enraged at every turn, daily, it’s a bit alarming to me. If one's happiness is so swayed by the whims of perception of a ship it’s a bit unsettling. Why let this shit have so much power over your mood and enjoyment? It’s just a show. But I think for many it’s way deeper than that and that’s not being kind to oneself or fair to the creators and performers. 

I’ll say this, I know there is misogynoir, and both conscious and unconscious bias involved in a lot of the reactions we are seeing about this ship. I’ve spoken to it. But I think a lot of us are failing to see the nuance of the whole picture and are making everything literally black & white and a cause for outrage and panic. Where I see misogynoir is most at play is in how fans view Ayo/Syd and as an extension Carmy x Sydney. Where I don’t see it particularly in play is how the cast and crew speak about the ship. 

Every time an article comes out denying the ship the knee jerk reaction is hating on Storer and Calo like they don’t want the ship to happen because Syd is black. I just don’t see any evidence of that or need to assume bad intentions. If you trust what you are seeing and think it’s endgame that contradicts Storer and Calo not wanting the ship for racist reasons.

I know what has happened with other BW/WM ships but I just don’t see that here. The romantic undercurrents are just too heavy and they greatly respect Syd as a stand alone character and Ayo as an actress and creator in her own right. Are they going to get everything you want right? No. But they are trying. Does that mean we will get everything we want with her/them? Not necessarily. The same can be said for any of these characters. Just trust what you're seeing, the intentionality is there even if it isn’t validated in media about the show. 

But because she is a black woman we are more invested and more focused on her treatment. That’s fine, let’s uplift her, and protect her. But what I see is a somewhat unhealthy attachment to viewing her as somehow being wronged at every turn. I get it. But I also think it’s not beneficial to be almost looking for her to be wronged in places where it isn’t true. If the ship isn’t being validated in the media and Carmy isn’t kissing her and declaring his love next season it's not sidelining, it’s storytelling, and it’s a slow burn. Some of the same people talking about they want a slow burn I guarantee will be up n arms if Carmy x Sydney are further apart next season, which I think will happen. That's what happens in these romances. But the first thing people will jump to is the writers don't want them together because she is black and the first article denying the ship will have people ready to ride at dawn.

I think it’s just difficult for some to come to terms with how this is going to play our over time and what that really means because she is a black woman character and we want the most for her. They will have ups and downs. Yes, Carmy dated someone else. There is pressure to validate her in so many ways that just aren’t necessarily going to be satisfied on all levels and I think some are making it way personal to a degree that isn’t necessarily warranted. 

Whatever happens with Syd isn’t going to correct the history of the black woman's experience in the media or real life. It will be a monumental event if they go canon, for sure, but I think some people are getting way too emotional and angry if every little thing doesn’t go how they want with her and Carmy. I also see a bit of trying to make other elements validate Syd as a black woman and by extension validate oneself. 

The insistence from some that Ayo and Jeremy have something going on or Jeremy’s performance is rooted in feelings for Ayo is so strange to me. Why? I think some people need to feel like Jeremy has feelings for her because he’s the hot white lead to validate her as a black woman. As excellent as Jeremy is as an actor do people really think he has to actually be in love with Ayo to get the performance we are seeing? He’s just extremely good at his job. I don’t think he has to do that with any other emotions he is portraying so why this need to have him be in love to make the performance resonate? 

I’ve also seen people trying to make a connection with the fact that he’s been seen with a biracial black woman as somehow meaning the next step is he should be with a monoracial black woman and connecting that with him and Sydney. Why? I saw a post that was questioning why this woman isn’t dark skinned with kinky hair as if he’s obligated to date someone that looks “black enough” to validate the attractiveness of dark skinned black women. This post also seemed to be super invested in that because that’s what they look like and want to feel Jeremy should be attracted to them. It’s not the first time I’ve seen this and it always makes me cringe and feel deeply sorry for that person.

I think it’s cool he’s dating a WOC but I have no entitlement or expectation that he go darker and nappier to prove anything to me or the public. And it has no bearing on if he would find someone who looks like me attractive in a sexual way or the same for his character. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t. What does it matter? If he is told to kiss Ayo onscreen, he will, because he’s a professional. Why are people making it so personal who he chooses in his real life? It just seems extremely insecure and projecting. If he dates someone else who is white white or another race that’s not black, is that going to hurt feelings? He doesn’t like “belong” to black women now. Jokes about it are funny but internalizing it as validation is dangerous. 

I also see this in an intense desire to have another white character be in the love triangle. If you just want someone else in the picture, fine. But I feel like there is this big desire to have it be another white man when Marcus has been there the whole time. I don’t ship her with Marcus (well, I did for a minute when I was enraged with Carmy) but it’s because I don’t think it’s where her heart is. But I also don’t see Marcus as a non-viable option. But since he’s not the white boy of the month, it’s not as appealing or viewed as big of a win for some if she’s with him or he’s the only suitor. People have mentioned Connor as a potential. Ok, yeah, I can see it based on the evidence presented, but I hope it isn’t viewed as a like let’s boot Marcus so this white boy who sorta superficially looks like Carmy is the rival. Maybe it can be a love square and three men fight for Syd, but I don’t want to discredit Marcus just because another curly haired white boy with blue eyes shows up. 

And lastly, if your emotional well being is so super effected about what happens to Sydney and it’s so entangled with feelings of being marginalized to the point that it’s distressing and your hyperfocused on every detail as a win or lose, I think you need to consider why and understand her being with Carmy isn’t going to heal anything. A lot of fans project personal issues onto characters and it’s just never going to fill an emotional hole or be a substitute for racial justice.

I saw someone post recently that this ship is a coping mechanism. And honestly it shouldn’t be. Just like Claire can’t fix Carmy, shipping Carmy x Sydney and hoping they are canon isn’t going to fix anything. If this is a fun outlet for you and a way to spend free time, great. But I wouldn’t link being in the fandom and shipping with self care. It’s too volatile to be tethering your emotional well being to. That’s like putting your healing in the hands of writers, media, and fandom when you should be in control of your journey. I think it’s cool to relate to the characters and be invested in their story but it can get kind of messy and parasocial if you put too much personal weight on outcomes regarding the show.  

So, I just want us to be more positive and focus on the wins with this character and Ayo. And also focus on the future. That doesn’t mean ignore the shenanigans. But I think so much attention is focused on the negative that not enough credit is being given to the bravery of having a dark skinned black woman as the co-lead, having her be her own person with her own struggles and nuances, having her most likely also be an unconventional romantic lead, having Ayo be the breakout star she is, having her get EP credits and directing next season, how she is a cover star, how she is multi-talented, how she is praised by everyone who works with her, how she is the IT girl. And I think this story will do her justice in the end.

[mercutio-the-velaryon]

*gen v spoilers*

I talk so much about Jordan on here for someone whose favourite character is actually Marie, so let me sing her praises.

Let me just say, it is so nice to have not only a woman but a black woman protagonist with vile violent powers. I know we've had a ton of strong female superheros with superstrength and what not. But Marie's power is viewed as "putrid" and "disgusting" (not to me I think they're cunty), its powerful but not marketable (hence Brink's rejection). There's something about that, it just feels cathartic to see someone so strong and powerful have their foil be that their powers aren't beautiful, flowery or socially acceptable. Like Marie as a person/supe innately rages against the system. It also kind of speaks to the way black women are conditioned to define their worth by the standards of white femininity through white supremacy and then are constantly denied it. Within the patriarchy, women are defined by their fragility, their delicateness, their innocence, their need for protection but when it comes to woc (Black women especially) they are considered to exist outside of those bounds, outside of those needs.

I just think a lot of care and consideration went into crafting such a dynamic layered character like more of this, actually, please, and thanks.

Diverging from the Marie praise:

Another interesting note, is that when the board is deciding what narrative they should use to cover up the Golden Boy incident, its specifically mentioned that Marie is being favoured by the public, for her beauty, mind you she was just standing there in the video, she didn't use her abilities at all. The reason she ended up in the top 10 is in spite of her powers, I wonder if the result would still be the same if she did use them (I honestly don't think so).

Diving into the top ten a little more, I don't think there's a single person on there who placed purely because of merit. I think there's a series of criteria that needs to be met regarding power, status, and popularity. We saw how quickly Andre got bodied by Sam. He's definitely top 10 because of nepotism as well as the fact that he's just attractive. Jordan Li is there because of their close relationship with Brink (albeit probably formed because of how strong Jordan is, but I digress). But their also the acceptable inoffensive kind of queer that can give God U points for diversity without offending its more conservative sponsors or benefactors. Jordan's also attractive, in both forms, so that helps as well. Golden Boy's an all-rounder, an all-American attractive white boy with an ability that's not only strong but makes for entertaining spectacle.

Andre, Golden Boy, and Jordan's powers are all powerful, but just as importantly, they're aesthetically pleasing and aspirational that, among other reasons, is why they're top 10.

Let me get into Cate and Emma another day.

[jazzywazzy89]

Help Me Name My Podcast

[eastsideofthemoon]

Teresa Graves 1974

[hellokatieyoursocrazy]

Yeah, personally I'm all for kick-ass black female leads. But I would also love more black female characters getting loved and cared for. I think we have more than enough "independent black woman that don't need no man" characters lol. Let us be the love interests

white women are always like “more strong kickass female leads!” and when i say i want to see a black female love interest who is allowed to be girly and fall in love they give me weird looks and say that i’m supporting gender stereotypes and heteronormativity but what a lot of white women don’t get is that black women we’ve had hundreds of years of having our femininity ripped from us, of being deemed unworthy of male (especially non-black male) attention. black women in media are never allowed to be the “cute” ones or the love interest, we’ve always been the “strong kickass street smart woman” trope that white women want so badly. so basically if a black girl says she wants to see another black girl fulfill the role of “love interest” there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that and it isn’t a hindrance to feminism

[fyblackwomenart]

Autumn Reflection by Talia Skyles

[graceandopulence]

Kerry Washington for DuJour (Winter 2024)

[dykedvonte]

I think depictions of Anya being cruel to Curly or drawing out his suffering are artful and chilling but completely miss the point of the story and her character.

I'm not saying she doesn't deserve to have that "I told you so" moment with him but not in something callous or cold. Even if that is how it happened, she'd immediately feel guilty cause at that point she's not tormenting her tormenter or even the person truly at fault. She's doing something cathartic, similar to how Jimmy likely hits Curly to release rage he can't against the rest of the crew. She'd see herself as no different when she'd come back from the moment and see Curly cowering at her. She wants someone to take responsibility but how does being cruel to the defenseless help? Why would she want the power Jimmy has over her over Curly?

The idea of her extending someone else's pain is just so against the struggles she already faces and how she can't even bring herself to cause someone pain even to help them. Her very desire is to release herself from her own suffering and I doubt she'd even fine some sort of guilty release in being cruel to another.

[starglossie]

Mel is the textbook example of how black female characters are treated in fandom. This is not to say that there are not people who love her or appreciate her character in all of its facets.

I'm just scratching my head at some of the takes on her character that feels, to me, like a gross misrepresentation of who she is and how she is presented in the show.

It is true that she is a politician. It is true that she knows how to navigate social situations. She was raised by Ambessa! She knows the tricks of the game better than anyone! But then I see people calling her manipulative? And then feel vindicated by Jayce screaming at her (unnecessarily so, btw bc that scene was SO crazy) that she was manipulative (when by the way, we all agree Jayce was not in his right state of mind at the time and then apologized afterwards because he realized he crashed out on her for no reason). When she... never has been manipulative?

So if someone sees your potential, and wants to see it flourish, is that manipulative?

Jayce LITERALLY wanted her to take a chance on his and viktor's project. It was MUTUALL BENEFICIAL for Mel to help Jayce posit himself in a position of power that would get him better access to the resources he needed to get where he wanted to go.

That's not manipulation. That's investment.

Mel is a complex, black female character. It is not to say she is perfect. She's not. She has her flaws but one of those flaws is NOT manipulation and I cast a side eye at people who think Ambessa is a great, well-written character and then think Mel is not. I have to. Because Ambessa is written to be aggressive, and cold, and strong, and tough--even her design emulates this rough edge. And I HAVE to think, why do I see people write essays on how bad Mel is but not Ambessa? Is it because Ambessa carries character traits that are more palatable to a non-black audience?? Character traits that more align with people's subconscious associations with blackness?

ANYWAYS.... I'M YAPPING. I could go on about how Mel is soft, and kind, and strong, and her character arc is about finding out who she is not as a child of Ambessa or an exiled daughter, but who is MEL MEDARDA, and what do you do with this newfound discovery. What do you do in the wake of grieving your mother who died by your hand?

I could go on. But I am so tired of seeing posts dogging Mel and taking scenes out of context and if Mel was a MAN.... I don't think she'd get half this flack. And if Mel was a WHITE MAN......... LMAOOOOO.

Anyways I love Mel she's pookie.

[culthermag]

DOECHII — THE GIRL WONDER KEEPING Y2K RELEVANT !

Doechii is the musical girl wonder rewriting the rules of fluid artistry while setting the stage ablaze with her fearless fashion sense. Embracing the daring spirit of Y2K and early 2000s vibes, she's not just keeping the trends alive but revolutionizing them, proving that true style knows no expiration date.

Critics can raise their thick ass eyebrows all they want, but she's too busy blazing her trail and beating her face with editorial, and experimental makeup looks. Her music, her style, her existence. She simply doesn’t get enough credit for how much of a force she’s become and how far she’s come. [ x ]

[theribbonmarkedroom]

What they did to the Tiana series is beyond nasty I hope yall know that… announcing the series FIVE YEARS AGO, not saying anything about it for FIVE YEARS while announcing 10000 sequels and other tv shows for Disney films (zootopia+, Moana 2, Frozen 4 etc etc) and then canceling it FIVE YEARS LATER when it was reportedly still in production is foul as fuck. The fact that the closest thing we’ll ever get to the Tiana series is a fucking COMMERCIAL…

[cellakershek]

We are not linear, We are Taiji

oil, paper, tin and bismuth on wood panel 2024 cella kershek

[serenityinpinkk]

Intentional Ways to Spend Your Time Offline ✨

in a world that constantly pulls us toward endless scrolling, there is beauty in slowing down and choosing presence over distraction. instead of losing yourself in social media, immerse yourself in activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul.

read a book—expand your mind and escape into a new world.

crochet—create something beautiful with your own hands.

write poetry—express your emotions through artful words.

write a story—bring your imagination to life on paper.

paint or draw—let your creativity flow freely.

meditate—find peace in stillness and connect with yourself.

write a letter—to your future self or a loved one, filled with wisdom and intention.

listen to a podcast—gain insight and inspiration from new perspectives.

dance in your bedroom—move with joy and freedom.

do some yoga—align your body and mind with gentle movement.

write a gratitude list—reflect on the beauty in your life.

color—embrace the simplicity of creativity.

bake—fill your home with warmth and sweetness.

[fyblackwomenart]

Oluwakemi Omowaire