OPINION—ISSA RAE’s Show ‘Insecure’ Celebrates the Uniqueness of Black Femininity
credit: Merie Wallace/HBO
Over the last 20 years, our national and international communities have observed and been engrossed by the rapid increase, endorsement and acceptance of the use of social media and mass media platforms.
In this growing technological environment, it is critical to decipher what is being represented on social media and recognize by whom that topic is being represented by. More importantly, when we consume media we must pose the question, what is the objective of this? This conversation encourages a reflection of the combative mechanisms used in today’s media against white supremacy through the lens of an American actress and writer, Issa Rae, and her comedy series “Insecure.”
“Insecure” addressed elements of the African American experience and dismantled many stereotypes held against African American communities. What stood out the most while watching the series was the emphasis on the importance of protective styles on natural hair. On the show, Rae’s character, Issa Dee, breaks down artificial barriers in her first season’s debut, characterizing herself with short, natural 4C hair on national television and embracing this beauty. In fact, she does not have many moments in the script where her textured hair is acknowledged which solidifies the understanding that 4C hair is palatable and beautiful in its authenticity.
Rae continues throughout each episode to present her audience with a different hairstyle, and I was absolutely thrilled to binge this series for this reason alone. Using no added hair, Rae displayed gorgeous braids, Bantu knots, faux hawks, and twists. This was amazing to me as I could draw upon inspiration from Rae and personalize her hairstyles on myself. Rae also portrayed several hairstyles with added hair on the show and depicted the other cast members to have the same diversity in their identity. Rae proudly and indefinitely stated in her artwork that Black women are not monolithic.
Where else are you seeing this immense form of representation on national television?!
Early television shows broadcasted in America represented African Americans in a narrow, prejudiced manner by upholding stereotypes and casting African Americans in minor, peripheral roles. Discriminative television shows can overlap and increase racial biases and stereotypical beliefs which inhibit African Americans from reaching their goals and creating change in their fields and the workplace.
Recently there has been more of a call to action to dismantle the broadcasting of prejudiced shows such as Bravo Network’s “Married to the Medicine,” which was accused of associating Black females in medicine with unprofessionalism and materialism. Medical students at Howard University petitioned for the television show not to air in 2013 one month before the show was set to premiere because they realized the disastrous influence this show could have on their chances to obtain residency positions, according to Black Enterprise Magazine. Although, it is deeply disappointing to know that this show has had 10 seasons on air, this incident is proof that the media we consume and allow to be broadcasted has eminent effects on individuals’ lives.
Placing African Americans in lead roles and adding depth to their character’s narrative is a single step directors can take. However, what is more influential and fundamental to the success of growing equity and inclusion, is to create space for more Black and African American creatives within television and media. Films that aim to highlight and expose a more well-rounded experience of African Americans include: “Get on the Bus,” “School Daze,” “She’s Gotta Have it,” “The Chi,” “Grown-ish,” “Black-ish,” and “Insecure.” Having African American and Black creatives tell African American stories creates better authenticity and sensitivity in the themes they choose to represent and exposes a larger population of American viewers to a more credible representation of African American culture.
“Insecure’s” portrayal of the beauty of Black women and their varied experiences made this television show a dream come true for me and many other African American girls to watch. This show has been influential towards the creativity I express when styling my hair which echoes the sentiment and realization of the impact media has on daily life practices.
Natural hair texture and protective hair styles are not often seen on mainstream television platforms which creates a feeling of an imposter syndrome and depleted self-esteem among young African American women and girls. The broadcast and release of “Insecure” serves as a constituent against the culture of whiteness and Eurocentric ideals of beauty by celebrating the elegance and versatility of natural, textured hair. I hope for a future where Black women continue to hold creative roles in power and to be depicted on screen in multi-faceted, expressive ways that exemplify Black women’s uniqueness, individually and collectively!