#Black women in media

[sunsis]

Glad we can finally talk about how misogynoir prevails in fandoms because a lot of fandom culture is dominated and dictated by white women who see black women as a threat to the status quo

[violet-moonstone]

Black Women and Girls in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Media in General

Thinking about how much Mel Medarda (and characters like her) means to me and considering making a sideblog with posts about black women in science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction -- because we are often not included, sidelined, or portrayed primarily as struggling.

And I want to focus on Black women who are portrayed as intelligent, kind, wise, graceful, cherished, etc because we are not expected to be these things (I've straight up been told to my face that someone was shocked that I was kind and intelligent because I'm Black...and they meant this as a compliment). I've also had friends make comments about not expecting a guy I liked to be interested in me because they just naturally assumed he's "not into Black girls" because that's the norm in our neighbourhood.

I've also been told that I'm not "really Black" or that I'm "whitewashed" or "an Oreo" because I don't fit the narrow idea of a Black woman many people have about Black women and Black people in general. I'm not loud, sexual, or aggressive enough. The way I speak isn't Black enough, and neither are my hobbies and interests). Seeing Black women and girls portrayed in a variety of ways is so freeing, because it allows all Black women to see themselves in media and art.

I think conversations about how women are portrayed in fiction can be difficult, because no, I don't think all women should be portrayed as traditionally feminine and/or as love interests. Yes, I think there should be women who are portrayed a strong and brave warriors...but as a Black woman, that's pretty much the expectation -- to be a warrior who needs no help. But this expectation does not come out of admiration.

We're expected to be strong and able to shoulder burdens on our own because very often, people don't want to help us so we have to help ourselves. We're not expected to be watched out for and certainly not serious, long-term love interests (unless we're biracial or have light skin) in fiction or even in real life. And then when you get intelligent, dark skinned Black girls/women as love interests who have any personal goals or opinions that don't 100% align with the male protagonist, prepare for her to be hated (See the Castlevania: Nocturne and Invincible fandoms for examples).

I'm not going to get into detail about the history of the "strong Black woman" trope and the effects of slavery on perceptions of Black women, but if you need an example of how this still affects society: Black women in countries like the US, Canada, and England are more likely to die in childbirth. This is partially because of how wealth disparities among racial groups affect access to healthcare, but it's also related to Black women's pain not being taken seriously and Black women not being seen as worth protecting in the same way (This also happens with Indigenous and Hispanic women btw).

There are still people in healthcare programs/people who work in healthcare who were taught that Black people have a higher pain tolerance than people of other races. Being a "strong Black woman" isn't exactly an empowering experience when your suffering is seen as trivial or non-existent.

Let's not forget that when Rue (who was explicitly described has having dark skin in THG) was cast as Black (and played by a very light actress btw) there were people in the fandom talking about how they automatically pictured her as being pale and blonde because that's their mental image of a sweet, innocent girl. (Also because these people were not very bright and couldn't imagine that Katniss thought Rue was similar to Prim in terms of personality, not literal appearance).

When Annabeth Chase was cast as Black, I saw someone talking about how it didn't make sense because as a white blonde in the books, she would have a reason to prove her intelligence and defy stereotypes...as if this isn't something Black girls go through in a much more intense way on a regular basis!

Anyway I wanted to mention all of that because it's important to keep in mind when I'm talking about appreciating characters like Mel. Appreciating femininity or being a primary love interest can be seen as frivolous and limiting because in general it's a box that a lot of female characters (especially White female characters) are put into, but it's important for Black women because we get it so rarely (although I think it's getting less and less rare these days, thankfully).

[ride-thedragon]

The Lack of Nuance with House Velayron.

I want to establish that the strange relationship to blackness in the show is confusing.

The show runners didn't write black characters. The Velaryons are Valyrian.

The cast is filled with black actors who draw parallels in their interviews to their blackness and this house. Without correction.

In a similar vain to how house Targaryen, house Hightower and house Lannister are all played by white people the Velaryons look black but are not written o be perceived as black in the narrative.

It's not inherently colorblind casting because the intent was to differentiate the Velaryons and Targaryens and to show how obvious Rhaenyra’s adultery is. It does, however, act in the same way. Their blackness isn't supposed to impact the narrative past that extent. Unfortunately, that's not how race works in media. Look at Bridgerton. For example, they knew they wanted to include racial elements to justify their alternate history while imploring colorblind casting and building these characters around their actors.

The biggest issue that comes from this understanding is that because they didn't write the script with black people in mind and just wrote it thematically to reach up to the dance, they end up sidelining and putting black characters into a lot of reductive stereotypes and fulfilling harmful tropes that contribute to the oppression of real world black people.

Laena is the second choice bride for Daemon, a white prince. He spends their marriage, making it known that he'd prefer to be with his other niece while not discounting the fact that they are happy enough for their circumstance.

Laena is a black girl who is passed over twice in the narrative for white women for different reasons. Her husband can't truly love her or their black children to the full extent he would her white counterpart.

Laenor is a gay man who can not do his duty to the realm and, as a result, does not sleep with his wife, causing her to look for a man who will essentially making his successor not from his blood.

Laenor is a black gay man explicitly traumatized during a wedding, not being able to fulfill his duty. His wife finds someone willing to do it during this time and he agrees to take the blame. The kid doesn't look like him. This pattern and behaviour continues because it can cost these kids their life. Rhaenyra actively contributes to the erasure of black succession for this house, choosing instead to sleep with and have kids by a white man.

Certain things work with this change. Corlys saying 'history does not remember blood it remembers names' gives 'I'm not black I'm OJ'.

The perception of success defines him more than the inherent loss of blackness he's pandering, too.

That wasn't the show's intention, though. None of my reading was intended to be placed on the story.

They made Laena into a sapphire who ended her life brutally after thinking it would be lost to childbirth.

The statistical and historical relationship to black women and childbirth was a burden the show runners did not consider.

It gets worse when the writers call it a 'dragon riders death' because it's so much more brutal than the death she endures in the book. A black woman chooses a brutal death as opposed to being helpless in childbirth. That's not imagery that was utilized well.

Laenor rededicating his life to his family after his sisters death only to be replaced by a white man and killed off violently (not really though, he just abandoned his family).

They also casually make him and his dad absent fathers.

With Corlys, they unknowingly employ Uncle Tom tropes with him while making him absent from his family, and next season, a cheater with an outside family.

Vaemond is a black man being gaslit all around him, and when he stands up for what is a real concern to have in his shoes, in a moment where he chooses to be unapologetic and angry he's brutally killed by a white protagonist. They punish the black character who didn't want to assimilate.

Again, this wasn't the writers intention because they are not writing black character. With someone like Nettles, this relationship to the narrative will be clearer. The racism and prejudice she faces in the story are different from the Velaryons because she's perceived as other or black in this world. Like Missandei and Grey Worm, she's a black character in the universe.

However, the imagery that these things invoke can not be avoided just because you don't focus on them. That's even more reckless because you get the diversity points, claim there is a reason behind their blackness, and then utilize reductive tropes and stereotypes.

I truly think they should've utilized the Bridgerton method and attributed the difference to dragonriding and the fact that a lesser dragon riding family would still be better than a rich non dragon riding family and that their ability to have dragon riders now should evaluate their status even though, through the show we see it not shifting their dynamic.

Racism and the stereotypes that come from it aren't based on anything tangible. White hair dragon riders through marriage and people with white hair who inherently can claim a dragon by blood alone is the same nonsense racism is based on. It's not really an important distinction but a necessary one to perpetuate and hold power. It could simply be a prejudice that the Velaryons acknowledged is there and are trying to break through.

This is a good show. It was beautifully done with the source material they had, but consciousness when it comes to perception and duality are so important when it comes to media, especially when writing for marginalized groups.

I would've loved to see Laenor and Rhaenyra have a discussion along the lines of her icing him out of their family unit, replacing him during a hard time. Or him actively acknowledging the burden of his position as heir with Luke and relating to his inability to do his duty and Luke's burden of perceived bastardy.

I'd love to see a Corlys and Vaemond Arguemnt of Corlys' assimilation to the politics of Westeros and the identity of house Velayron being lost as a result.

Laena could've acknowledged her worth to their marriage, calling Daemon out on his complacency to their collective happiness and expecting him to be better would've ate, cleared and devoured.

Imagine that last scene coupled with book Laena's death. I would've secured the Emmy for Nanna.

Not only does this add to the world building, but it sets up future (technically past) relationships between the Velaryons and someone like Nettles. Between them and Targaryens.

I need a cold cigarette. I will end this by saying the framework should they decide to establish this better is already there. It's just unfortunate that we lost three cool people before the nuance would hit.

[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

[fyblackwomenart]

Autumn Reflection by Talia Skyles

[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.

[sunsis]

dreaming of a fandom that is not only welcoming to black female actors and characters but cares about them and creates content for them individually outside their relationships with white characters

[graceandopulence]

Kerry Washington for DuJour (Winter 2024)

[ride-thedragon]

When I say the writers had no understanding of the imagery, they would invoke just by casting black actors, I mean it.

Not one multifaceted thought of intersectionality behind their eyes. And the fandom picked up that thought and ran with it.

w/ recent shows like Arcane, Extraordinary Attorney Woo and HOTD, it’s been very interesting to see all the fandom behaviour people complain about on twitter, tumblr and video essays happen in front of me in real time, especially since i’m still new to fandom.

case in point: vaemond, a character played by a black actor, is murdered by daemon, played by a white actor. daemon gets zero consequences in the show, especially awful since what vaemond had been saying, that got him killed, was true (obvs not the slutshaming, but he is right that rhaenyra’s (white actress) kids are bastards). fans (esp daemon/rhaenyra shippers) have been posting gifs of his murder all over the place, and using will smith reaction gifs (from the famous slap), to valorise daemon’s violence as simply defending his wife.

i really shouldn’t have to elaborate on how using a reaction gif of a black man to celebrate the public murder of a black-coded character by a white-coded character is messed up. but what is so obvious to me just doesn’t seem to occur to these fans who post these things to hundreds, if not thousands, of notes. genuinely baffling behaviour.

[sailing-ever-west]

I've broken this down in opla but I wanna talk about it in animanga context too: Zoro and Sanji's ongoing conflict is largely about sexism!! Which is a fascinating thing to do with male shounen protagonist power players, for one, but also just adds so much to the overall team dynamic and treatment of women in the writing.

Zoro and Sanji are both carrying on the legacies of oppressed women they lost in their childhoods, but in wildly different ways.

Kuina's oppression had to do with being seen as a lesser warrior for being female even though she was incredibly capable. Fighting with her was respecting her. To refuse to fight her would have made Zoro complicit in belittling her dream and status. So he treats women just like everyone else, only discriminating based on actual strength and skill, not gender. His concept of the systemic oppression against women is that they're being excluded from things they're capable of participating in.

Sora's oppression, on the other hand, had to do with her body being used as a tool of war against her will, to birth soldiers for Judge's army. It wasn't a case of being treated differently despite being just as capable, it was a case of being exploited directly using her biological differences and social position as a woman. To use more violence against her would be disrespectful and cruel. So Sanji focuses on protecting women from violence and refuses to be an agent of it, based on gender rather than strength and skill. His concept of the systemic oppression against women is that they're being taken advantage of for things inherent to them that they didn't choose and can't change.

Essentially Zoro only sees sexism as an issue of discrimination and Sanji only sees sexism as an issue of exploitation. And they're both too dumb and traumatized to articulate it, so they just hit each other.

[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 ]

[cellakershek]

We are not linear, We are Taiji

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