The 'Quirky Black Character' - How Black Creators Challenge Stereotypes

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The Quirky Black Character dares to be dorky, imperfect, and most of all, themselves. Their nerdy obsessions and screwball antics are deliberate rejections of the one-dimensional, often offensive Black caricatures that long dominated film and TV. But the history of the Quirky Black Character’s rise is one of having to constantly fend off criticisms of whether or not they’re perceived by audiences as “Black enough.”

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“Being black isn’t what I’m trying to be, it’s what what I am.”

- Carlton Banks

deadshot
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As a nerdy black woman (and retired emo) who’s been called an “Oreo” all her life, the rise of the quirky black girl makes me feel seen. Wish there’d been more of it when I was younger but I’m glad it’s here now

RoseEyed
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Yes! Sometimes black people just want a show/film about...nothing. Not everything and every black person wants the struggle story. We are not a monolith. Proud awkward black girl here!

ErikaxHumphriess
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It's refreshing to see black characters exist without being a political statement. That's why shows like insecure and Atlanta stand out. We need more shows about Regular black people

Dm
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Biggest stereotypes being that people of colour cannot be alternative/goth/emo/metal head people, when a literal black woman Rosetta Tharpe invented rock music (before Elvis) !

golupous
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This is long overdue. I'm glad more screenwriters are people of color, now. The existence of black characters should be significantly more than just "the thug, " "the step & fetch it comic relief, " "sassy black friend" or "magical negro, " giving advice to the white protagonist. The African-American experience should be a spectrum, not two or three options.

cqtaylor
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Also, as far as the "black enough" question, those kinds of questions kill creativity. Because one is never allowed to be more than just a short list of options.

cqtaylor
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Been waiting for a video like this. Black people don't want a reminder of the struggles of being black in TV shows or movies. We want escapism where we can see ourselves be the hero, villian, or whatever we want in different genres. Hopefully we'll get more black fantasy and sci-fi shows or movies.

millsgurl
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“Real black experience” not all black people have the same experiences. Can’t stand that people try to fit all black people into a box.

sgtigereye
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People also tend to forget that the black experience is not confined to the African American situation. For black people like me who are from Africa, we navigate the world differently. The "nerd" is glorified because that means you are smart and will do well in school, and possibly in life.

swatkasham
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Raven Baxter from That’s So Raven was a cool quirky Black girl with powers. Goo from Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends was the first ANIMATED quirky Black girl I ever saw in media, and I loved her despite how annoying she could be at times. I also will forever love Issa Rae and Michaela Coel for bringing Black girls into the forefront as fun and unique characters.

I would also love a take on the “bougie Black girl” that’s spoiled, upper class and living in luxury like Dionne from Clueless and Toni from Girlfriends, 90% of the characters Gabrielle Union plays, Miranda from as told by Ginger, Sherry from You and etc.

witchplease
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Why do black characters only seem to exist to be the best friend of the white protagonist, and we rarely get an insight into their hopes and dreams? In "Sierra Burgess" and Tall Girl", the best friends were far more interesting than the respective main leads!

trinaq
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This character is almost always the best but they keep being cast as the sidekick. That’s why I love Insecure. She’s the focus

indiadobeyking
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Taking the work of a white supremacist and making a story against white supremacy is badassery on a whole new level

Spicie
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I hated hearing that I talk like a white girl growing up so toxic

ssaliormoon
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Being black is whatever I want it to be.
Enough said.

Vivalarosa
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There was an episode of The Cleveland Show where Cleveland had an existential crisis about whether he was “black enough”, and Donna said something that’s really stuck with me since: “Being black isn’t about this stereotypical nonsense, it’s about being comfortable in your own skin.”

Hallows
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I remember how happy I was when I first discovered ISSA Rae on YouTube. It was the first time I saw a dark skin black girl like me who was awkward and quirky. Before Issa came out, I only saw black women being portrayed as angry black women. I also am a nerd, I always been a comic fan, I still watch cartoons as an adult, I like listening to different genres of music not just one genre, and I’m socially awkward. I use to be bullied for not fitting a stereotype but now black people like me are finally being accepted.

TheLeah
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I've always felt like I'm forcing myself to be more black (just to make my toxic father happy), but watching this video made me realize that I'm also a quirky black woman. From doing art, playing video games, and even exploring my true sexuality.

I'm gonna keep exploring myself, and I'm not going to let anyone tell me that I'm "not" black enough!👑🧚🏿‍♀️

shonnaa
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I'm glad this video addressed the complexities of class on this trope. Largely it's middle class or wealthy black people who are afforded the freedom to be "weird" or "quirky". Its often framed as if proximity to whiteness causes or allows these quirks and as more black folks tell our own stories it'll be nice to see more varied depictions across class lines.

kristalcampbell