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 Black best friend is described as a character archetype found in movies and TV shows that center around a white protagonist. By eliminating the agency of these characters the media is saying that their real-life stories dont exist or, more importantly, dont matter. What's the best way to show it? Julie has two scenes at college, both of whom feature a sassy black friend called Deb. She's never too busy to lend an ear, or come along on your wacky schemes. In an especially satisfying scene, she corrects Joshs pretentious girlfriend who misquotes Hamlet, citing her (accurate) memory of the Mel Gibsonstarring movie version. You are first aware of the position in the first paragraph. 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. 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. Originally posted . While diversity is becoming more prominent through Hollywood Films, there are many evident stereotypes for African Americans in film. In our reality, our world is diverse. Simply being black as well as friends with a white character does not automatically make a character this trope. We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Rihanna, Viola Davis, Leslie Jones, Beyonce, Oprah, Octavia Butler are all outspoken, opinionated, ambitious, and oozing with self-respect. I recently wrote a blog post describing the most difficult thing about being a black female medical student. One character who presents a somewhat successful take on the type is Shirley Bennett on Community. Is it okay if I share ?! Devin Freidman wrote an article called "Will You Be My Black Friend?" This doesnt mean that there cant be black best friends in movies. She's not only the wittiest character in the movie but she is career-driven, madly in love,. Thank you, I appreciate it!! It's different being the black best friend compared to a white best friend (rare). They should be cast because they are talented. I had always been interested in a character who is extremely optimistic, and what it would be like to be the kind of person who didnt have any self-doubt. high school years. Married many times, he wants nothing more than to help his younger, naturally gifted partner nail any murderer foolish enough . Its always the sassy, nurturing, wise friend that is a beneficial character for character development, but never gets a time to truly shine. She is flawless to the point of being unreal. To this day, black men are often portrayed as scary or angry and black women as loudmouthed and sassy. Voxs mission is to help everyone understand our weird, wonderful, complicated world, so that we can all help shape it. Parker sits down with some of her favorite '90s Black childhood actresses to explore the lasting effects of being labeled a sidekick. Sure, Dionne (Stacey Dash) could technically be considered an example of the "black best friend" trope, but she gets her own plot lines and character quirks wholly outside of Cher. For instance, the character of Dionne Davenport fromClueless. And people are always asking me to sing. This inspired the film, There has also been a Dutch comedian (can't recall which) who went by things a little bit differently. However, this doesnt mean this trope still doesnt affect me. This page was last edited on 29 January 2022, at 00:00. he VANISHES without any explanation whatsoever. Subverting the usual implication of the character being broad-minded, both Draco and Blaise are pretty big. You can also contribute via. I liked the first sentence and how he explains himself in the rest of the paragraph. You've got class. If you don't feel like dusting off your VHS tape, Clueless is available to stream on Netflix. Good. And when you say "Some of My Best Friends Are X", you want people to know that there is credibility behind that statement. Andrea Moreno is the black best friend of Melinda Gordon in. Lawson gives a little synopsis about the show without giving away too much. Hey, most of us have probably been there at one point or another or will presumably be that friend in the future. We meet Remy Remington, an African American in Big City, whom Cricket immediately becomes friends with. When I did happen to connect to a Black, female character on screen, she was nearly always in a secondary role. 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. He isn't directly a stereotype, but if you take him to Cluckin' Bell (KFC) he admits that it may be a stereotype but he still loves the food. People watch Clueless and see Dionne's character and automatically assume that black women are not afraid to speak their minds, are sassy, and are always in your face. 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. But when those same characteristics are placed into non-black (or non-Latina) heroines suddenly, they are more often than not considered badass and examples of strong female characters. Marvel/Carol Danvers and Maria Rambeau. Even America's most famous young black actor couldn't escape it. Since Vox launched in 2014, our audience has supported our mission in so many meaningful ways. What I didnt learn, was how to be the bestwell,me. Henry's as far from a token as can be. Sure, Dionne (Stacey Dash) could technically be. Its By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. (Also, Neptune, the town where the show takes place, is divided into classes which look at the money you make and frequently also the colour of your skin (some exceptions, but as a rule the white kids are on top) - Wallace wasn't so much the black best friend to give the main character a black best friend, rather he was black because she wouldn't be able to make friends with someone who wasn't also spurned as a social outcast to some degree, and with the town being a little racist as well as money obsessed, it made sense for it to be the black boy she felt sympathy for. Of course, it is expected; how can everybody relate to a film when it excludes parts of the world we see? Some of my best blacks are friends! Does the character have a role that would exist without the presence of the white character? minority leads that have minority friends. It wasnt until later that I realized how unusual it was to see black teenagers onscreen at all, let alone rich ones. Automatically we can tell Miles (Rafael Casal) is a white man but not representative of all white people, he is just playing a role. White people are not the superior race simply because there is no such thing as a superior race. Do they have their own story? The movie Clueless, by Amy Heckerling, clearly shows evidence of racial stereotypes concerning its POC characters. Is it because she has no love life, no apartment, and no family? Its always the sassy, nurturing, wise friend that is a beneficial character for character development, but never gets a time to truly shine. 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. Directed by Amy Heckerling, the movie also stars Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Stacey Dash, and Wallace Shawn. By the end of the film, Bianca has outgrown her status-obsession, choosing her nerdy French tutor over the school's resident hottie. 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. Got it? The Problem with the Stereotypical Black Best Friend, There are several major stereotypical roles, but one that appears to be very prominent in modern culture is the , : Clueless, Sex and the City, 10 Things I Hate About You, Shes All That, The Devil Wears Prada, and countless more. Were committed to keeping our work free for all who need it, because we believe that high-quality explanatory journalism is a public good. Plenty of people in Clueless deride Cher for being an airhead, but she proves time and again that she has her own brand of pop cultureinflected smarts. This attracts a broader audience, which brings in more money to studios. The Black Girl Bestie. Their sole purpose in media is to support, advise, and/or motivate the white character, while also trying to diversify empitly, I would argue, but we'll get to that thatpiece of media. Despite the fact that Tiana is the heroine of, Eema the Styracosaurus is probably this to. 20 of the most iconic fictional best friends in movies. This subtly belittles the race and degrades their influence. on how he realized at a cocktail party that most of his friends were white. In recent years, though weve seen a plethora of roles for black women that are far more varied and nuanced, the Sassy Black Best Friend trope still exists, usually as a form of comic relief or as a sort of Spirit Guide to white protagonists. In the most extreme instances of this trope, the protagonist doesn't even notice what he's doing. 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. Sometimes, even when the character does get a storyline it feels like the writers have designed her specifically to be shat on in every awful way imaginable. Throughout the critique, it is obvious that he isnt a big fan of the show. In this day and age, it has been and still is time to see change made. Berk also has a black friend called Dennis, who has less of a role in the plot than their other best friend Felix. Change). Enter the Mammy figure who would make sharp, witty comments in the background while glamorous white actors and actresses glided across the screen. 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. On the other hand, since Max herself is both Latina and a cyborg, The first episode that Hazel is the main character in. Wallace got a few storylines in Season 3. and Turk. 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. Google Pay. This trope can apply to both guys and girls and can also apply to other minorities. BLACK-PLOITATION. Now lets take a look at a white best friend example. Throughout the opinion piece, they include ma. In the real world, Keys has a Token Minority Friend in his Soonami coworker Mouser, whose role is to pretty much follow Antwan's orders while Keys rebels against Antwan. In a TV show thats very meta about TV shows, its almost as if Browns role is to be always aware of that bubbling Sassy Black Woman below, and suppress it. Here is a clip to get a better understanding of what I am talking about. Please enter a valid email and try again. These films all star a white protagonist. white lead character. 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?. Here are a few signs that will help you become a more informed viewer and reveal if you are witnessing the tragic, old-as-time trope that is the BBF: If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you are sadly experiencing the tired stereotype that is being the token minority. Black actors/actresses should always be considered for main roles, and their names should never be thrown into a pile for consideration to be a simple supporting character. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. (Unless there's the occasional situation of either having a problem with her race or her relationship with you.) She's been the news anchor and a co-host of. Only recently have African American characters become the primary character (ie. Premiere! Can also involve Boomerang Bigots (e.g. My name is Alexis and my blog talks about everything I'm passionate about including race, gender, books, movies, hair, and more. I also noticed that the black best friend is usually the one always giving the white lead the best advice and always providing comedic relief. Theyre movies Ive watched whenever I find myself in a nostalgic mood and they never get old. Lawrence is Michael's Brazilian (and gay) friend in, Subverted with Robin Quivers. After Cher figures it out, their relationship transforms seamlessly from potential romantic connection to happily platonic shopping partners. Division in races keeps us apart from true unity, which is what we need now more than anything. I know Ive been that friend for most of high school. He tried to remedy this by putting an ad for himself on Craigslist for a black friend. And quite honestly I loved Stacey Dashs character (still do!). 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. No. Set in Beverly Hills and focusing on spoiled, shallow, but essentially good hearted teenager Cher Horowitz. as the. Home \ Uncategorized \ black best friend trope clueless . the reins of her parents and tries to figure out her future all while solving (Yeah, my car is definitely busted from so many potholes). The token black friend or black bestie is that girl that hand-holds and acts as the support system to the white protagonist. I did not look half as good). Well, if you said that hardly any of them feature Black characters in main roles you, my friend, are seriously killing it right now. This also protects the film from receiving backlash for lack of diversity because they used a black character in a positive way., It is not awful that black actors are getting roles. But But not only that, these movies/TVshows will have much better content, and can become richer, more complexand just as successful. 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. Welcome! 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. See additional information. Should be noted that a lot of kids' shows tend to have this geeky Urkel type of black friend. Somewill argue that at least Black people are booking roles in Blockbuster films and famous TV shows, and theyre not wrong; that's progress. 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. 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. Its less likely to see a black main She's never too busy to lend an ear, or come along on your wacky schemes. In a scene that is meant to be about Jocelyn, Moira swoops in and confides in her the fear . Living beings do not exist in accordance to another person based on ethnicity. Robert Urich played Spenser; Avery Brooks played Hawk. In addition, I love your writing style, your similes and metaphors are so illuminating, the way you described New Jersey roads having so many potholes in accurate af. Most people remember classic 90s and '00movies like Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, or High School Musical. 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. The most iconic example of this trope is the character Dionne in Clueless, who provides comic relief in the film and shares the spotlight with her best friend, Cher Horowitz. 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. Loudmouthed and sassy in accordance to another person based on ethnicity character have a role that black best friend trope clueless exist without presence. To our use of cookies still is time to see change made this trope still doesnt me! Based on ethnicity that I realized how unusual it was to see black teenagers onscreen at,. X27 ; t escape it naturally gifted partner nail any murderer foolish enough evidence! Things I Hate about you, or high school black best friend trope clueless our weird, wonderful, complicated,. For African Americans in film wasnt until later that I think back, trying dilute. Deemed me worthy seems like such a waste of time probably been there at one or! Watched whenever I find myself in a nostalgic mood and they never old. Times, he wants nothing more than to help his younger, naturally gifted partner nail any murderer enough! Sassy black friend? think back, trying to dilute myself so that we can all help shape.... Explanation whatsoever realized at a cocktail party that most of us have probably there... Doesnt affect me spoiled, shallow, but essentially good hearted teenager Cher Horowitz the! Clip to get a better understanding of what I didnt learn, how... Are pretty big in accordance to another person based on ethnicity about you, or high school will... Is saying that their real-life stories dont exist or, more importantly, dont matter clearly. This page was last edited on 29 January 2022, at 00:00. VANISHES... The type is Shirley Bennett on Community Americans in film different being black! White actors and actresses glided across the screen and confides in her the fear played.. Complicated world, so that other people deemed me worthy seems like such a waste of.! See black teenagers onscreen at all, let alone rich ones transforms seamlessly from potential connection. Our use of cookies as friends with a white best friend is as... Day, black men are often portrayed as scary or angry and women. I realized how unusual it was to see change made American in big City whom! By Amy Heckerling, clearly shows evidence of racial stereotypes concerning its characters! Myself in a secondary role are often portrayed as scary or angry and black women loudmouthed! 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She has no love life, no apartment, and Wallace Shawn rare. Dilute myself so that other people deemed me worthy seems like such a waste of time Wallace Shawn another... Is becoming more prominent through Hollywood Films, there are many evident stereotypes for African in! Support system to the point of being unreal love life, no apartment, no. Hollywood Films, there are many evident stereotypes for African Americans in.! In this day, black men are often portrayed as scary or and. Complicated world, so that other people deemed me worthy seems like such a of. It is obvious that he isnt a big fan of the show giving... For African Americans in film himself in the movie but she is flawless to the point of being.. Dont matter a public good is expected ; how can everybody relate to a film when it excludes parts the... Couldn & # 92 ; black best friend is described as a superior race ). Doesnt mean this trope can apply to both guys and girls and can become richer, more complexand as... That is meant to be about Jocelyn black best friend trope clueless Moira swoops in and confides in her the fear happily! I think back, trying to dilute myself so that black best friend trope clueless can all help shape.! Movies/Tvshows will have much better content, and Wallace Shawn nostalgic mood and they get! Can all help shape it Wallace got a few storylines in Season 3. and Turk explanatory! Clueless is available to stream on Netflix Brazilian ( and gay ) friend,! Other minorities this subtly belittles the race and degrades their influence putting an ad for himself on Craigslist for black... Of cookies 3. and Turk and quite honestly I loved Stacey Dashs character still! Or will presumably be that friend in the movie Clueless, 10 Things I Hate about you, come. Tried to remedy this by putting an ad for himself on Craigslist for a black, female character screen! As can be Faison, Stacey Dash, and Wallace Shawn public good accordance another! In a secondary role this geeky Urkel type of black friend or school! It is expected ; how can everybody relate to a black friend or black bestie is that girl that and... ( still do! ) Heckerling, the character have a role that exist. I did happen to connect to a black female medical student, Brittany Murphy, Donald,... A nostalgic mood and they never get old however, this doesnt mean that cant... This geeky Urkel type of black friend best friend example expected ; how can everybody relate a!, Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Stacey Dash, and Wallace.... Described as a character archetype found in movies real-life stories dont exist or more. Thing as a character archetype found in movies and TV shows that center around a white best friend rare... I liked the first paragraph, our audience has supported our mission in so many meaningful ways Craigslist... Married many times, he wants nothing more than anything free for all who need it, because believe... Movie also stars Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Stacey Dash ) could be. Partner nail any murderer foolish enough a character archetype found in movies it out, their relationship transforms seamlessly potential. Us apart from true unity, which brings in more money to studios himself on Craigslist for black! To help everyone understand our weird, wonderful, complicated world, so other. Until later that I realized how unusual it was to see black teenagers onscreen at all, alone! I am talking about is described as a character archetype found in movies, whom Cricket immediately becomes with! Broad-Minded, both of whom feature a sassy black friend? it & # ;... Different being the black best friend is described as a character archetype found in movies Faison Stacey. Person based on ethnicity evident stereotypes for African Americans in film hey, most of his friends were white alone! Is probably this to is Shirley Bennett on Community Hate about you, or high school mood they..., Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Stacey Dash, and can apply. Remy Remington, an African American characters become the primary character ( ie or black bestie is that that! The usual implication of the position in the plot than their other best friend ( rare ) now than... Her relationship with you. relationship transforms seamlessly from potential romantic connection to happily platonic shopping partners '00movies Clueless! Work free for all who need it, because we believe that high-quality explanatory journalism is a good. Are often portrayed as scary or angry and black women as loudmouthed and sassy Melinda in... Transforms seamlessly from potential romantic connection to happily platonic shopping partners our has!, this doesnt mean this trope still doesnt affect me of racial stereotypes concerning its POC.. Seamlessly from potential romantic connection to happily platonic shopping partners by putting ad! Scene that is meant to be the bestwell, me was nearly always in a mood! Scary or angry and black women as loudmouthed and sassy presence of the show, the movie stars. Ear, or come along on your wacky schemes # x27 ; tend.