I’m super impressed by some of the new shows coming out in the last year or two. And two of those shows to emerge are doing amazing things representing the black woman!

Chewing Gum and Insecure are two shows that are saying things that matter!

Alisha Acquaye wrote for Daily Progressive:

The Power of Telling Our Own Stories

I am impressed by how both of these shows tackle race and Western culture. In Chewing Gum, issues of race are addressed as backhanded jokes. Tracey is pleasantly delighted that Connor is a good kisser because she once feared that white boys wouldn’t be able to handle her full lips. In Insecure, racism, homophobia and so many other “isms” are addressed in short scenarios or in the storyline: Issa’s white coworkers constantly have to check their biases about the children of color their organization supports, and Molly is conflicted about dating a man who once had a sexual encounter with another man.

These shows illustrate how “isms” are a natural part of Black people’s lives, but they aren’t always a painful conflict or altercation. They are simply things we navigate daily (unfortunately), and when we’re able to narrate our own stories, we can make these issues comical.

Speaking of narrating our own stories: Issa Rae and Michaela Coel are the writers, creators and leading women of these shows. Recognizing that they are the masters of their work makes it even more meaningful to watch. These are the inspiring women and stories I needed as a child, but having them as an adult inspires me to be an awesome, dope sista. Seeing yourself in TV is powerful, but seeing yourself as the creator of art is motivating.

Read more here.