What’s The Big Deal About The Lack Of Black ‘Girls?’

April 25th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

Source: Jillstanek.com

The media and tons of critics have taken HBO and Lena Dunham to task for its new series “Girls” which is essentially a younger, broker 2012 “Sex and the City,” for its lack of diversity, or as Slate contributor and cultural critic Debra Dickerson put it, having “an abundance of chicks with normal bodies, but somehow no negroes.” The issue is that the plot centers on four white main characters who are surrounded by white people in the midst of the melting pot mecca of New York City. I get the absurdity of women being in NYC (and in their residence of Brooklyn) and not ever coming into contact with any people of color—or the three that one writer counted in one episode—but I also think we’re grasping for straws by making a big deal out of the so-called whitewashing of this show.

We live in the world of niche media and though the broad use of the term girls would suggest you could turn the show on and see the girl you are on-screen, that’s not the case as far as skin tone, although interestingly everything else seems to be there. Rebecca Carroll, wrote on The Daily Beast:

“As relatable as I find ‘Girls,’ I can’t also help feeling, well, left out. There are no black girls in ‘Girls.’ I feel somewhat cheated. While I have decided that the show is for me, it has decided that I am not for the show.”

I wouldn’t take the omission of black characters quite so personally, although having seen the backlash the series has created, I wouldn’t be surprised if the show did try to ignore race altogether to avoid the inevitable criticism it would still receive. If this show were to throw in the token black girlfriend we’d still be having a fit about her skin tone, her hair texture, the lack of a developed storyline, etc., and I actually respect the fact that the network didn’t even go there if they weren’t going to execute it well. Furthermore, I find the mention of the women in the series having “normal” bodies as evidence that this show aimed to be sort of the anti-thesis to the “Gossip Girl” type of NYC shows we see on-air and everyone knows there’s just as much work to be done on the representation of healthy bodies as there is black women, this just isn’t the show that will break down the latter barrier and that’s OK. We can’t expect every show to be all things to all people.

Furthermore, it’s not our job to say what’s real to some people and not to others. I’m pretty sure the white circle of acquaintances shown in “Girls” is the reality for the creator Lena Dunham. If these girls were black, the immediate people around them would be black as well, despite whatever multiculturalism is in their backdrop. Yes, diverse cultures are all around you in NYC but that doesn’t mean everyone lives them. That’s not the focus of this show and I would venture to say that that’s not inherently problematic.

Others have argued that a simple change in the name could have made all the difference; that had the show been named “Some girls” or even “White girls” then there would be nothing to argue with. By the very appearance of four white women and the obvious realization that all girls are not a monolith, we know this depiction is only some girls. And calling the show white girls would place unnecessary emphasis on the women’s race much like the criticism against it has.

I’m fully in agreement with Ta-Nehisi Coates of The Atlantic  when he suggests we shouldn’t be asking for inclusion on this show but to be represented on our own version of ‘Girls’” because after all, the response from the series’ writer, Lesley Arfin, to the criticism on Twitter was “What really bothered me most about Precious was that there was no representation of ME.” As he states:

“I think it’s only right to ask whether you really want black characters rendered by the same hands that rendered that tweet. Invisibility is problematic. Caricature is worse.”

Maybe HBO missed an opportunity with “Girls” and maybe it didn’t. Diversity isn’t on everyone’s agenda and that’s because white people simply don’t have to think about it. I’m sure if we were coming up with a series we wouldn’t think to throw in a token white character; the same is true for the other side. And while I know the history of exclusion is far deeper for us, I don’t think it runs that deep for this show. Debating “Girls” is a lost cause and a battle that really doesn’t need to be fought. The bigger picture is to create our own narratives and find a place for them on television not be threaded into a white one.

Do you take issue with the lack of black characters on “Girls?”

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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  • Leelee

    @IllyPhilly:disqus 
    I guess it depends on where you live.  I do have friends of other races.  Lots of them, actually.  I wouldn’t consider them my token friends, they’re just my friends.  I guess that’s why I’m surprised when it comes to the diversity of some of these shows. My town is pretty much equal in the proportion of races, and I live in the Midwest.  We all live in the same neighborhoods, poor or rich.  Which isn’t to say that there isn’t racism, there is.  But everyone has to deal with living among each other.  I guess the main thing is not expecting everyone else to be living the same reality as I do.  Simply put, those girls just don’t live in my reality.

  • Editor

     I found the first two episodes of this show to be boring and silly
    because I could not relate to the “problems” of these particular people;
    probably because of their ages (maturity level).

    While I prefer to see diversity in diverse places (as one would expect
    with NYC as the backdrop of this show), I understand that this show is
    about these particular young, annoying, “privileged,” White girls. Not
    every story has to be about me (and not all Black stories are about me
    either, for the record. We are diverse as African-Americans and Black people in general). 

    We Black people have to stop looking for validation in other people, and
    respect and showcase ourselves. I know that’s not easy to do
    (especially in the entertainment industry), but it can done, and it is
    being done. When you love yourself, you don’t need the validation or
    approval of everyone else, and being slighted by them (or flat-out
    disrespected by them) doesn’t have to hurt as much because you know who
    you are and you know your worth. People of other “racial” (I put that
    word in quotes because race is a social construct), ethnic, religious,
    and geographic groups are not so vocal (if at all) about their lack of
    representation in television and film because they aren’t trying to get
    “mainstream White people” to highlight them, showcase them, or accept
    them. Other people go out and do it on their own, and damn it, we can,
    too.

    Bottom line: this show just isn’t about “us.”  And I’m cool with that.

  • Am3lya_tandi

    Black people stop with the beggar mentality already! Do your own thing, support your businesses don’t let other people dictate you… Honestly if there was a black character in this show she would probably be the sassy token black friend with no storyline of her own which we don’t need anymore.

    • Am3lya_tandi

      P.S: It always cracks me up when you guys say New York is a melting pot and yet everybody just lives in their corner and they don’t really associate with one another. That’s not what melting means to me… Just saying.

      • Candacey Doris

         Not everyone lives in their own corner, but i know what you’re saying. Like i said, there are places you can go without even seeing a white person in NYC. But if you work or go anywhere at all there you’re going to see each other. It would be weird to see a NY where there’s  no one but one race.

  • Black is Beautiful

    Please they will be quick to put in a Black guy in though or a mixed looking girl. And what’s up with the new thing of putting Black guys with white wgirls now…no more Black couples. Speak up Black women. Now that”s disturbing.

  • Jessicacurry84

    Black people need to stop this. Leave white shows alone! Nothing good can come out of forcing your way into white media. F*ck that. Blacks in America are around 55million. We have the numbers to create what we want. Stop expecting white /Jewish media to put us in their sh*t. Why would you even want to be in their shows? They SUCK. There are few American shows I can really watch, mainly the Game. I watch Nigerian, Korean, and Japanese stuff mostly. Quality characters with quality story lines. Why waste my time on American racist crap.

    Black people, we need to focus on making our own sh*t, we don’t need Hollywood to tell our stories. You saw what happened with ‘Precious,’ ‘The Help,’ and ‘Avitar’. After those movies, I was done with black movies produced by white producers. I am sick of the Aunt Jemima BS.

    We need to encourage and focus on black producers and writers and support them. And not waste our time watching white/jewish produced shows that tell the world they are the best and blacks and everyone else are subpar.

  • Candacey Doris

    I don’t care if there are no black women in their show. But no one but white people at all? In NYC? There are some parts of NYC you can go to and never see a white person at all! Not even a Chinese or Indian person? Really? That’s just weird to me.

    • Jessicacurry84

      Honestly who cares whether they embrace diversity or not. Black people in general should just leave it alone and focus on us. I am tired of seeing white faced ethnocentrism. I am only interested in black shows in America. I don’t trust any black character written by a white person. After Precious I learnt my lesson.

      • Editor

         ”After Precious I learnt my lesson.”
        What???
        Do you know who wrote the book?
        *SMDH*

        • Jessicacurry84

          Yeah I know exactly who wrote it. It was Saphire. I was not surprised because at the end of the day, there are still black people who hate their race. And whites will glady fund it (to prove: ‘See we did black people a favor by slavery, because they are innately savages’).
          Did you not notice in that sh*tastic film that all the dark skin people were monsters? While the lighter skinned people were the good ones? NEVER again will I watch such trash in my life. Just because a black person wrote that sh*t does not mean that it is worth watching. White people get movies like ‘The Notebook’ and ‘Good Will Hunting’ (American persepctive, love, redemption, etc) while black people get ‘Precious’ and ‘For Colored Girls’ (rape, beatings, incest). I am good with that crap.
          Never again will I subject myself to those soul killing dramatic tragedies. For those of you who like that crap and being inspired by watching people who get raped, molested and abused (as if it is second nature to black society); then go with it. I am looking towards greener pastures.

      • guest121

        The author of Precious is black, the filmmaker and the script writer was also black. Do your research.

        • Jessicacurry84

          Who funded it? I did my research. That crap is what white people like seeing of black epople. They can give Monique an Academy award goe acting liking a wild beast but they cannot give Angela Bassest on Oscar for the many outstanding roles she has played. I don’t care if Saphire is black, it is a crying shame that white media only gives credit to black people when they show an animalistic side. Maybe YOU should do some research. I am tired of housen*ggers and coons that are so uneducated that they think that, anything produced by black people trying to get a check is good for our community. You need to look further my friend. Have YOU ever wondered why they can give precious and the Help AWARDS? Basically when black people know their place and don’t try to ‘act’ or do better than white people, then everything is fine and dandy. Get you head out of your *ss.

  • Dove

    i think u r way off in your assessment. We need to let the decision makers know what the public thinks. I am personally tired of the white washing of shows. And given I pay for HBO they have an obligation to give its audiences what they want and deserve.

    • Jaye

      Personally, I don’t want to watch a show that just throws in a black character to avoid this kind of controversy.  That type of situation lends itself to the creation of 2 dimensional, stereotypical depictions of ethnic characters, something that is much more distasteful to me than not being represented in a white show at all. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kimberly-Reese/1133593574 Kimberly Reese

    We need more black actors so we can have green money

  • Treaclesis

    This show is so awkward, I’m on the fence as to whether I enjoy it or not

  • A.J.

    I think that people wouldn’t be as annoyed if there were a greater variety of Black representation on television.  I don’t look to the media, in any form, to validate me as a Black woman.  But it is frustrating when you can’t turn to another or channel to find something that does represent you.

    • Jessicacurry84

      If you are frustrated then STOP WATCHING. Seriously why give a flying f*ck what white/jewish producers put out there? they are just promoting themselves and serving their community. Why should they want to produce black characters or shows? Why? They are not black. Why expect them to give you that?

      We blacks need to support our own. We don’t have the funding they have to produce grand shows but we can tell our stories modestly and in time and with momentum we will get fancy. But I don’t look for fancy. I look for great acting and good storylines. I can handle a bad camera if the story is well told.

      Therefore I mostly watch Nigerian, Korean, and Japanese television and movies. They are just better than American tv on so many levels. In Nigerian films you get full representation of the different colors of black and their stories are fun and entertaining. I am over American drivel. But I do support American black media and shows where I can.

      Forget these white shows. Black people need to stop looking toawrd them for diveristy. Guess what? Hollywood don’t want you there, and they don’t give a damn because their market is the majority.

      African Americans can create their own Hollywood. It is time to really break away and do our own thing. Like the Nigerian film industry is doing. Go Nollywood!

  • imahrtbrkbeat

    I just feel like there’s not enough representation, period. I’m one of the many people, female of color, trying to break in and do a show like this, particularly for girls of this age set. How To Make It In America did it, what’s the excuse for this show? 

    I was also a bit bothered by Dunham’s comments, which she essentially said “We’ll get to that if there is a second season” — don’t patronize us if you never fully intended on including minorities period. It’s not just about Black Americans to me — it’s everyone. In my opinion, I feel that this could have been a bit more valuable and a bit more groundbreaking if they did focus on the fact that all “Girls” go through this phase…but as my professors always told me, write what you know…and I guess Dunham doesn’t really know anyone outside of her white privileged life. 

    • Wilforde

      I totally understand your comment, but i agree with the author of this article. You have to understand the excuse for this show is that the producers wanted an all white living in an all white world. We all know that’s almost impossible in NYC and that’s why the show will be a failure. I grew up in NYC, been here since i was 8, i’m 34 now, and honestly i didn’t have friends of other races until i was about 27, 28. NYC is a melting pot but racism and discrimination still exist. I feel like we have enough black shows on TV where we don’t have to complain about not seeing black characters on other shows. I’ve never seen that show nor do i plan to. Instead of compaining about a little cable TV show, why don’t we focus on the discrimination within the black race??? let’s try to improve our own relationship with one another…

  • BLACKNUBIAN

    Aware about the show and concept but never watched or cared b/c I knew the cast would be all white. Diversity is important! @@b667dd29bc70ad6504bc6580aa3aef34:disqus A lot of black ppl aren’t complaining, we are hindered by racist producers and the entertainment industry period. As a Black person you should ask why aren’t we in more commercials or sitcoms? For years I’ve noticed young White kids getting the opportunity to act on great shows that a Black young kid probably wanted, was qualified but b/c society has a certain perception towards Black people they choose White. So it’s not about complaining, it’s about being tired of the BS and having a valued opinion and treated equal. If we as Black ppl start talking and feeling the way you feel the next generation (ME) should give up and embrace the error of 1959. “I DON’T THINK SO!” Thanks to Tyler Perry our talent is being put out there!!!!!!#ProBlack #Just sayin

  • IllyPhilly

    How many of us really has a token friend of another race?  Personally I think having that one Black person does more harm than help. That’s why The Wire is and will always be the BEST TV work ever!!!

  • http://twitter.com/decembersugar meh

    i dont take issue with it but i am disappointed in the actual show tho. its boring
    but i still wanna hold on 

  • Stippia

    I dont want to seeva black girl behaving like these snowhos..

  • Tiff

    I saw an interview the actresses had on The View, and I honestly thought the same thing…”wait, where am I at?” After listening to the creator, director, and actress of the series, I kind of understood more. She is of the white privilege and so are her co-stars. She merely chose her friends…and if given the same opportunity, I dont think “sistas” would do any different.

  • Vanillaruis

    Not the first show, not the last.

  • Kimwripatt99

    You know what ?As a black person I’m getting tired of Black people complaining about the absence of us in certain shows.Look we have all black shows where their is not a white person in the bunch.Honestly, some people hang out with people that look like them and sometimes shows just reflect that.Sometimes the absence of a certain race does’nt always have to be looked at as a deliberate act.STOP IT PLEASE!

    • mochaaa

      Exactly!! this is exactly how it is in ny. there’s lots of segregation but people are so hung up on this diverse melting pot crap that we don’t even see it. honestly even if there were black girls in this show i wouldn’t watch it and i doubt other blacks would. how come asians and hispanics don’t complain about not being in shows. 

    • SuZQ

      Maybe not always a white main character on some black shows, but the vast majority of the 90s black shows had white, latino, and asian characters. Shows based on upper middle class white people are the only shows I have seen where practically the entire world is only white. 

    • Smacks_hoes

      Finally somebody spoke the words I’ve been saying for years!! My brother is black but he has all white friends because white boys accepted his personality before black boys did. People hang out with who makes them comfortable. My thing is that we as a race are becoming way to racially sensative it seems as if black people look
      for things to be Offended by
      even though they may not be racially motivated. Please CUT
      IT OUT!!!! It’s getting out if hand. As soon as people stop being so freaking obsessed with people’s race and ethnicity things would be so much better!!

      • No Disrespect

        Yeah, but the WORLD your brother lives in HAS black people. You miss the point. It’s fine to have all white main characters, the problem is when the characters are walking down the street or they attend an event or enter a store, they should encounter more black people than 3 especially because they are in Brooklyn. Lol, keep in mind that if there was a show about your brother and his friends, there would be a black character – your brother. So even your brothers all white friends have a black friend. That is the world we live in. White people know black people, but HBO ignores that fact. The world is not whitewashed.  

  • Just Sayin’

    Thank God for “The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl”. To me it’s much better than this show, #noracism

    • Rhonda Newman

      Yess I agree w/ you 200%!! Do u have any idea when the new season starts?

    • MIssK

       Oooh! I always forget to check back for new episodes…thank you for reminding me!

  • Just Sayin’

    Thank God for “The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl”. To me it’s much better than this show, #noracism

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