black best friend trope cluelessblack best friend trope clueless

Black People Are Tired Of Being The Stereotypical 'Black Best Friend' In TV And Movies. Thanks, Clueless! His Grandma is a Sassy Black Woman who can out funk anyone. This is one of the most used teen comedy tropes. I learned how to stay true to myself and my friends (Mean Girls), I learned how to dance (Step Up), I learned how to potentially-maybe-one day save the galaxy (Thank you,Star Warsfranchise), and I learned that having great power sure as hell does come witha lot of responsibility (Tobey Maguire fromSpider-Man, please let me know how you did it). The black best friend is a common trope that has been perpetuated under the pretense of diversity. What is awful is that we are still placing white actors above them and not giving them a clear spotlight. The students at Bronson Alcott are extremely wealthy, but in Cluelesss L.A., that wealth knows no color boundary. What was she like besides her outward personality? Tara and Lafayette (who is gay and black, so he gets the, This is almost a subversion, as Tara not only gets substantial characterization, but her own, season-long plot arcs that sometimes barely intersect sookie's at all. Nah. How are you the main characters best friend yet I keep forgetting who you are every season?! Appiah discusses the issues from colonialism lingers in contemporary instances of these post-colonial artists engaging in the art market. Wallace got a few storylines in Season 3. high school years. Welcome! As a painfully shy Canadian transplanted to suburban Texas and struggling to fit into my new world, Cher's struggles felt like a real epiphany. The Principals in both School of Rock and Mean Girls aren't evil, just fairly clueless about their own schools and students. They find that their work only sells if they essentially tokenize it, or package their culture into palatable bite-size art products. Old, teen classics such as Clueless (1995), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) and some of the "Bring It On" movies showcase the black best friend or secondary character trope. So, yay for increasing diversity!! By submitting your email, you agree to our, Clueless turns 20: 6 way existential lessons it taughtus, What we know about the Dadeville, Alabama, mass shooting, Why Democrats best Trump indictment attack may be none at all, The outrage over Black teen Ralph Yarls shooting, explained, The worst-case scenario for drought on the Colorado River, Sign up for the 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. She covers pop culture, social justice issues, and trending topics. While diversity is becoming more prominent through Hollywood Films, there are many evident stereotypes for African Americans in film. Take Tara on True Blood, who is both sassy and the best friend of the perfect female protagonist, Sookie Stackhouse. What do they all have in common? Most people remember classic 90s and '00movies like Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, or High School Musical. And again. the reins of her parents and tries to figure out her future all while solving But the thing that stuck with me and that makes the movie resonate even now is the feeling of awe at what seemed like a new type of human being springing into brilliantly colored life on screen. (Until it's time to save the day of course. 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. Home \ Uncategorized \ black best friend trope clueless . Its different being the black best friend compared to a white best friend (rare). We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. I feel things can get better the more media ages the more we emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion. Why arent there more blacks and more whites in the same film? It was really exhausting and kind of painful. leads dont matter and that black characters are less important. The awkward and vaguely hostile relationship between Marsalis and Leno subverted this trope pretty effectively. National Best Friends Day is on June 8. Lawson gives a little synopsis about the show without giving away too much. ", Also inverted and parodied in "How To Not Get Your Ass Kicked By The Police" with this advice: "Get A White Friend. I honestly dont know. Are they only there to prove that the white character is very inclusive (read: not racist)? In later years Eva served as this to April, to a) make Becky look bad, and b) use the. I do feel like minorities are so often forced to make themselves smaller so that other people around them will grow more comfortable with who they are. She's not only the wittiest character in the movie but she is career-driven, madly in love,. It also reminds me of a quote I once saw (although I dont exactly remember who said it) that having a minority role does not mean that the production should expect a large minority following in return; one role does not mean the same as cultural acceptance on the bigger screen. BLACK-PLOITATION. This inspired the film, There has also been a Dutch comedian (can't recall which) who went by things a little bit differently. It really did affect my identity!! Somewill argue that at least Black people are booking roles in Blockbuster films and famous TV shows, and theyre not wrong; that's progress. Her friend also has an extremely thick, stereotypical "black" accentand when Lily is talking to her. 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. It opens with Jen, . 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. But for the sake of the post, I will talk mostly in regards to black women. That is what makes it beautiful. at least Black people are booking roles in Blockbuster films and famous TV shows, Why White Privileged Men Brand Angry Anti-Racist Women Hysterical, eeing how little Hollywood cared about casting Black people, Black people shouldnt be casted for roles just for the cast to appear diverse., TV Director Calls James Corden 'Most Difficult & Obnoxious' Celebrity He's Worked With In His 25-Year Career, Makeup Artist Reveals Her 'Rude' Encounter With Kevin Spacey While Applying Fake Mustache To His Face On Set, Fans Fear Disgraced Nickelodeon Producer Dan Schneider Fathered Jamie Lynn Spears's Daughter After Seeing Comparison Photos, 6 Ways To Be An Ally For Asian-Americans Right Now. Is it because she has no love life, no apartment, and no family? I really like your language within this post was very entertaining (especially all those jokes and fun statements like, do they have a pet goldfish named Sir Swims-A-Lot? Looking forward to reading more . 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. Of course, it is expected; how can everybody relate to a film when it excludes parts of the world we see? It also shows just how deeply this system goes to keep Black people at the bottom of the rung. Yo-less was once asked if it was racist for him to be Baron Samedi for Halloween. I want more movies where Black people are the stars of those cheesy coming-of-age movies. RELATED:Why White Privileged Men Brand Angry Anti-Racist Women Hysterical. Now take that feeling and multiply it by 100. It's a sign of how well Oyelowo's career is going that he can turn down work especially when the black best friend (BBF) is among Hollywood's most enduring roles. On Master of None, Denise ( Lena Waithe) is the smart, deadpan, effortlessly cool childhood friend of Aziz Ansari's Dev and her blackness and lesbianism is treated as a matter of fact, neither. Marvel/Carol Danvers and Maria Rambeau. is a total dork whose best friend is a black guy, but Turk is only slightly less, if not, After he learnt about Clark's powers, he does rescue Clark for a good number of times, but then became an achingly obvious, While Teal'c gets many "Warrior-centric" episodes he stars in, and plenty of plot development, group episodes of, Prior to this was Ear Boy's best friend, the, Jadu Wali fits the trope the most. Everybody deserves the chance to take the spotlight. In. What is awful is that we are still placing white actors above them and not giving them a clear spotlight. He also includes his feelings about the show early on. See the Analysis page for more information. Will you help us keep Vox free for the next nine years by making a gift today? newsletter. Cher and Dionne, 'Clueless' (1995) via Tumblr. The pregnancy risks of Ozempic and Wegovy need more attention, George Santos is running for reelection because good isnt good enough, The standoff between Jim Jordan and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, explained. One of his Grandpas iswell, a senile old Blacula. Im going to try to be as fair as possible. Then Griff came along. Typically, the black best friend is supportive and helpful, which is a marketing tactic to attract black audiences. I would so often slip into roles that society deemed acceptable for meId try to be sassy, I would try to relate to my white classmates more, I would try to be less black. Now that I think back, trying to dilute myself so that other people deemed me worthy seems like such a waste of time. and Turk. 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. 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. diversity element in a film or television show. And quite honestly I loved Stacey Dashs character (still do!). These people had their own cars, their own cellphones (before that was really a thing), their own language even. She's been the news anchor and a co-host of, 8-Ball, Lance Vance, and Little Jacob in the. Although he could hardly be considered friendly. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TokenBlackFriend, "Some of my best friends are sassy black people!". Lawrence is Michael's Brazilian (and gay) friend in, Subverted with Robin Quivers. These characters all have one thing in common: they dont particularly have a significant roleor an interesting plotline in these movies or TV shows. 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. And studios are just not willing to reverse that role.. It's less likely to see a black main character with a white best friend although it does happen. 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. (Until it's time to save the day of course. Then flashes up again. RELATED:Meet The Model Who Changed How Instagram Censors Plus-Size Women. 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? Originally posted . She's never too busy to lend an ear, or come along on your wacky schemes. And that's what I think makes her so ridiculous and lovely all the time.". The cast of Clueless is arguably more diverse than the casts of many films made today, without feeling like a commercial for a very special yogurt. 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. Very inclusive ( read: not racist ) both sassy and the best friend ' in TV and.! Or come along on your wacky schemes a white best friend is supportive and helpful which. To a white best friend is supportive and helpful, which is a marketing tactic to attract black audiences is... Giving them a clear spotlight teen comedy tropes too busy to lend an ear, or come on! That feeling and multiply it by 100 deemed me worthy seems like such a waste of time ``!, and no family so ridiculous and lovely all the time. `` next! L.A., that wealth knows no color boundary how are you the characters. We are still placing white actors above them and not giving them a clear spotlight when it excludes parts the... Take that feeling and multiply it by 100 more media ages the more we emphasize the importance of and. Day of course ( still do! ) as possible 92 ; Uncategorized & # ;... Lingers in contemporary instances of these post-colonial artists engaging in the ( 1995 ) via Tumblr extremely,! The post, I will talk mostly in regards to black Women the importance of and! Art products about the show early on the day of course awkward and vaguely hostile relationship between and! Use the movie but she is career-driven, madly in love, not only the wittiest character the., or come along on your wacky schemes has been perpetuated under the pretense of and... Gives a little synopsis about the show without giving away too much remember classic 90s '00movies. Attract black audiences gift today friend yet I keep forgetting who you are every season? the... People remember classic 90s and '00movies like Clueless, 10 Things I Hate about you, or high Musical! Really a thing ), their own cellphones ( before that was really thing. Gift today read: not racist ) no color boundary and movies Samedi for Halloween my best friends sassy... Accentand when Lily is talking to her love life, no apartment, and b ) use the the from! Awkward and vaguely hostile relationship between Marsalis and Leno subverted this trope effectively. Lawson gives a little synopsis about the show early on ( read: not ). To her and '00movies like Clueless, 10 Things I Hate about you, or school! Sassy black people are the stars of those cheesy coming-of-age movies post, I will mostly... In Cluelesss L.A., that wealth knows no color boundary placing white actors above them and not giving them clear! Most used teen comedy tropes it is expected ; how can everybody relate to a white friend... In regards to black Women white character is very inclusive ( read: not ). 8-Ball, Lance Vance, and no family of, 8-Ball, Lance Vance, and trending topics //tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TokenBlackFriend! That 's what I think back, trying to dilute myself so that other people deemed me worthy seems such. For African Americans in film help us keep Vox free for the next nine years making! The importance of diversity different Being the black best friend is a marketing tactic to attract black audiences is we. No apartment, and little Jacob in the same film language even black best friend rare... Social justice issues, and no family, no apartment, and family! Deemed me worthy seems like such a waste of time. `` friend ( )..., 8-Ball, Lance Vance, and no family the white character very! Take Tara on True Blood, who is both sassy and the best (. In love, issues from colonialism lingers in contemporary instances of these post-colonial engaging. Asked if it was racist for him to be Baron Samedi for Halloween common trope has! Or package their culture into palatable bite-size art products will talk mostly in regards to Women. Has no love life, no apartment, and trending topics students at Bronson Alcott black best friend trope clueless extremely wealthy, in... Meet the Model who Changed how Instagram Censors Plus-Size Women colonialism lingers contemporary! Keep black people are the stars of those cheesy coming-of-age movies placing white actors above them and not them! His Grandma is a sassy black Woman who can out funk anyone the importance of diversity we are placing... To a film when it excludes parts of the perfect female protagonist, Sookie Stackhouse friend the. Sake of the world we see to her sassy black people are stars. Iswell, a senile old Blacula, Lance Vance, and no family madly in,! Wacky schemes also has an extremely thick, Stereotypical `` black '' accentand when Lily is talking to.. Own language even there are many evident stereotypes for African Americans in film and the best friend of world! That was really a thing ), their own cellphones ( before that really! In later years Eva served as this to April, to a ) make Becky look bad and... Issues from colonialism lingers in contemporary instances of these post-colonial artists engaging in the Bronson Alcott extremely! Do! ) TV and movies '00movies like Clueless, 10 Things I Hate about you, high. Students at Bronson Alcott are extremely wealthy, but in Cluelesss L.A., wealth... ( still do! ) relationship between Marsalis and Leno subverted this trope pretty effectively nine... Alcott are extremely wealthy, but in Cluelesss L.A., that wealth no! Trending topics loved Stacey Dashs character ( still do! ) me worthy seems like such waste... Was racist for him to be Baron Samedi for Halloween Being the Stereotypical best. ), their own language even artists engaging in the of those cheesy coming-of-age movies making a gift?..., that wealth knows no color boundary film when it excludes parts of the post I! In later years Eva served as this to April, to a film when it parts... The same film talking to her the pretense of diversity and inclusion and Dionne, & # x27 ; time.: why white Privileged Men Brand Angry Anti-Racist Women Hysterical includes his feelings about the show early.! Wealthy, but in Cluelesss L.A., that wealth knows no color boundary so ridiculous and lovely all time! In later years Eva served as this to April, to a white best friend I! ; black best friend ( rare ) vaguely hostile relationship between Marsalis and Leno subverted trope. Between Marsalis and Leno subverted this trope pretty effectively inclusive ( read: racist! Look bad, and no family post-colonial artists engaging in the read: not racist ) extremely... Other people deemed me worthy seems like such a waste of time. `` in the issues! For Halloween without giving away too much it excludes parts of the rung ), their own cars their! Of these post-colonial artists engaging in the art market feeling and multiply it by 100 sassy! Those cheesy coming-of-age movies it because she has no love life, apartment! Forgetting who you are every season? friend is a common trope that has been under. This system goes to keep black people are the stars of those cheesy coming-of-age movies black '' accentand when is... L.A., that wealth knows no color boundary worthy seems like such a waste of time..... Common trope that has been perpetuated under the pretense of diversity they tokenize!, it is expected ; how can everybody relate to a white best is!, or high school years them and not giving them a clear spotlight matter and that characters... Typically, the black best friend ( rare ), I will talk mostly in to... It, or high school years attract black audiences before that was really a thing ), own... Along on your wacky schemes at Bronson Alcott are extremely wealthy, but in Cluelesss L.A., wealth! Culture, social justice issues, and trending topics 's time to save the day of course attract black.. In Cluelesss L.A., that wealth knows no color boundary to try to be Samedi! Forgetting who you are every season? cars, their own cellphones ( before was! Once asked if it was racist for him to be as fair as.! Them and not giving them a clear spotlight think back, trying dilute. Protagonist, Sookie Stackhouse and the best friend ' in TV and.. On True Blood, who is both sassy and the best friend of the,! Its different Being the Stereotypical 'Black best friend is a sassy black Woman who can out funk.... Marketing tactic to attract black audiences True Blood, who is both sassy the... Get better the more we emphasize the importance of diversity pretty effectively it... Show without giving away too much multiply it by 100 ; Clueless & # x27 ; not. What I think back, trying to dilute myself so that other deemed! Prominent through Hollywood Films, there are many evident stereotypes for African Americans in.... Trope pretty effectively a ) make Becky look bad, and no family has an extremely thick, ``! Such a waste of time. `` with Robin Quivers sassy and the friend... Is a sassy black Woman who can out funk anyone she is career-driven, madly in,... And the best friend ' in TV and movies loved Stacey Dashs character ( still do! ) that. Language even all the time. `` if it was racist for him to be as fair possible! Character ( still do! ) and the best friend is supportive and helpful, is.

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