In its overt bluntness, the American series, Insecure, offered a new introspective lens to Black female identity. We have not seen a Black female ensemble cast dominate mainstream US media since the end of the sitcom Girlfriends in 2008, which was cancelled after eight seasons, say less of a popular Black female-produced series. The gap between Girlfriends and Insecure, which first aired in 2016, speaks to the opportunities given to Black women in the entertainment industry. Thus, Insecure's inception presents a pivotal point in pop culture history, one that centres Black women's voices in both optics and behind the scenes.
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About the Protagonists
The show focuses on the lives of protagonists Issa Dee, played by the show's creator Issa Rae, and Molly Carter, played by Yvonne Orji.
These women were not built to be the epitome of a Black woman, nor do they fall into tropes like that of the overused "strong Black" woman or the stereotypical "ratchet" archetype. Both characters learn to navigate as one of few minorities at work. Through Molly, we follow the challenges faced by successful Black women in the corporate world, and Issa's path walks the tightrope of wanting to do community-focused work while still earning well. Both also struggle with job fulfilment. The show also explores the difficulties of dating as a Black woman, covering millennial themes such as bisexuality in men, colourism, online dating and the ingrained societal pressure of settling down in your thirties.
Although a comedy, the show is not afraid to get down and dirty, touching on serious storylines that showcase the raw and sometimes ugly side of life. In the pilot, we find both women at different places in their romantic lives. Issa is in a dissatisfying, yet committed, long-term relationship with her boyfriend, Lawrence. Molly, on the other hand, struggles to find a man who checks all her boxes and is willing to settle down - playing into the anxieties experienced by many successful Black career women like Molly, as seen in the likes of Being Mary Jane and Girlfriends. As the series progresses, we see both of them behaving differently with the men in their lives. We explore the nuances of infidelity, power dynamics and race. We see a lot more of this with Molly's character, who is in a relentless pursuit to find "the one". In this hunt, we see her, as well as the other women in their group, evaluate their own prejudices and biases.
The Black Female Gaze
We are introduced to two other women who are part of Issa and Molly's group. The four women met at Stanford University who went on to lead very different lives, conveying the diversity in Black female outcomes: Issa is the messy friend, Molly is the career-driven woman, Kelli is outspoken and grounded, and Tiffany is all about her marriage and motherhood. The friendship between the four of them at times seems questionable. It is quite apparent early on that the group is made up of pairs: Molly and Issa, Kelli and Tiffany. All three women constantly badger Issa, and she is labelled as the troubled one, but when needed, all are willing to lend a shoulder. This serves as a reflection of real adult friendships that are born and remain out of convenience but can still be genuine.
Insecure, like many HBO shows, takes a more mature tone, catering to a more progressive audience by taking on a deeper critical take on systematic racism, gender norms and sexuality. Beyond offering comedic relief, Issa Rae's conception taps into the diversity of the Black female psyche through parasocial relationships with the Black ensemble cast. Half the time, we're yelling at our devices, wondering how these characters just continuously make bad decisions. The audience find themselves as judge and jury, which makes us reflect on how we would handle these situations.
Beauty Comes In All Shades
The sitcom challenges the idea of what a Black woman should be and, more importantly, dismantles the monolithic image of Black beauty. What makes Insecure standout is that it moves away from the colourism we've seen on so many other popular shows like Black-ish, Dear White People and even Girlfriends by centring the lives and experiences of dark-skinned Black women, who are portrayed as attractive, intelligent - and above all - multifaceted.
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We've seen dark-skinned women and girls replaced with lighter counterparts in the likes of My Wife and Kids and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The reasons for both replacements were never officially confirmed, but one wonders, why not replace them with actors who had similar traits? Beyond seeing a physical change in actors, we saw changes in character behaviour, such as with Aunt Viv from the latter show. The first one was presented as strong, assertive and independent, while the lighter-skinned replacement took on a more demure, submissive demeanour.
Thus, the consistently authentic and diverse portrayal of Black female life in Insecure is a testament to the Black women writers and producers behind the show, namely Issa Rae, the show's creator and screenwriter, along with co-writer Natasha Rothwell (who also plays Kelli), co-writer Amy Aniobi and co-writer Regina Y. Hicks.
Is There Room in Hollywood for Stories About African Women?
One major criticism of the show that is lacking in mainstream discourse is Issa Rae's omission of her African identity in her character Issa Dee. With Rae being half Senegalese via her father and Orji being Nigerian, one is curious as to why this was never addressed, and questions arise as to whether this act was intentional. Regardless, this was a missed opportunity to represent the stories of African women from an authentic source, given the countless misrepresentation, this group has had in Hollywood, thanks to ignorant creators - Coming to America springs to mind.
It is also important to consider whether mainstream media was ready at that time for such stories. Some could say that Insecure took a leap so that shows like I May Destroy, Blood & Water, and JIVA! could rise.
As a daughter of an African immigrant, a woman, and a Black woman educated in the arts, Issa Rae offers a multilayered view of the world. Her failure to pivot these unique selling points more presents a missed opportunity. However, she is not obliged to represent all intersections, nor must she face the burden of bearing the brunt alone.
Legacy
The success of Insecure is defined by its relatability, with an ensemble of flawed yet charming characters. It takes the time to let awkward moments simmer, making its viewers introspect on their own uncomfortable truths. The show leaves lessons for an emerging group of Gen Z women navigating life in a post #MeToo world, ruled by digital activism and identity politics. Black womanhood is not politicised, it's not mythologised, nor is it glorified - it just is. There is beauty in that simplicity.