‘First Wives Club’: A step in the right direction for Black female representation in media
Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
Julianna Brown, Contributing writer
Positive representation of African Americans in the media has always been little to none, and more specifically, Black women are highly misrepresented in the media.
Oftentimes we are put in boxes such as the sassy best friend trope in which Black female characters are the “side-kick” of the white main character. In cases where Black women are the main characters, they are usually battling with hardships in which they are trying their very best to survive.
When I was a young girl, I remember reading the “American Girl” novels. For the white main characters, these books followed them going on fun adventures and being care-free preteens whose biggest problems were annoying boys, but for the only Black female character, her biggest problem is that she is a 9-year-old slave who must escape her plantation so she and her family will not be separated.
I remember not even wanting to read the only book with a female main character who looked like me because it was too heavy to indulge in. This example is the case for many Black women who grew up with American media. Stories like mine are the exact reason the portrayal of dimensional Black female leads is needed in society.
Like stated before, Black women are usually portrayed as struggling members of society, which leads to the theme of poverty being present in the majority of shows with Black female protagonists. For example, the 2005 comedy series “Everybody Hates Chris” presents a dysfunctional Black family trying to make ends meet in Brooklyn, New York.
The Black female character Rochelle is portrayed as a mother who stresses about her kids’ safety and involvement with gang-related activities. Rochelle is often seen to be switching jobs and trying her best to save money. Though she does not have to work because her husband has two jobs, she is still painted as an unsuccessful person and her family’s financial struggle is used for comedic purposes.
Black television series can be funny without having to display poor Black female characters. Movements within the media like the “quirky” Black girl trope are highly beneficial because of this. This character trope describes Black female leads who are in control of their own lives and no longer have to minimize their personalities for white main characters. As the “quirky” main character, Black women are finally allowed to think freely and have their own special interests.
They are no longer confined to what white society wants them to be and usually live in suburban or “white” neighborhoods rather than low-income housing. Though this may seem to be the bare minimum, new positive cliches for Black women on the big screen will eventually heal the false stereotypes existing in real life.
Black women are now able to fall in love, be successful or go on adventures without worrying about external stressors caused by finances or family drama. In the show “First Wives Club,” the four Black female lead characters do just that.
“First Wives Club” is a comedy series released in 2019 inspired by the 1996 film with the same title. Unlike the original show, the remake is made up of an entirely Black cast and features many Black female actresses.
The show revolves around a group of middle-aged friends who met in college and ended up with successful careers as a lawyer, singer and doctor, respectively. The main characters Ari, Hazel and Bree are all hard-working Black women who spend time together while drinking wine and talking about their marriages.
They go on many adventures without having to worry extensively about their ability to survive, giving other Black women positive views of the future while also providing comedic relief. Thanks to shows like these, Black girls do not have to minimize their potential due to false or negative stereotypes.
Shows like “First Wives Club” are essential for young Black women because of their positive portrayal of Black femininity. The women in this show are portrayed as dimensional and simply just exist without being trapped in the depths of oppression.
This was inspiring to me as a Black woman because it showed me that I do not have to fit negative stereotypes and that despite false representation, I can still reach success. Instead of having to base our dreams on white women in the media, Black girls are now able to create aspirations based on women from our own community.
As more shows with positive Black female representation are popularized, Black girls will know that all of their greatest dreams are possible — breaking the confines of the box that society has tried to trap us in.
