I have a bone to pick. Why is is that the black character in a movie or show--if they are not the main character--is the quirky, comedic side kick that is not ever taken seriously? Now, of course, this is not always the case, but the examples of this are endless. I personally take some offense. It is like we are either an evil character, the thug, or the character with lack of dynamic that is always making wacky side comments as comedic relief. To list a few, there is Frozone from the Incredibles, Chad from High School Musical, Ivy Wentz from Good Luck Charlie, and Donkey from Shrek (come on, we all know if he were human, he would be Black). Now I understand and appreciate the effort of showing the diversity of friendship in these movies and shows, however, I always feel like the black counterpart to the non-black (usually white) main character is painted the same way: the "funny black friend". They seem to lack substance as a character.
I have begun to realize that I have been subconsciously influenced by these characters' behavior and actions. Growing up, I saw these characters and had the same reaction that most had toward them: wow, they're funny; I like them! Being that I am black, I wanted to be like them, act like them, come off as funny like them, be liked like them. I thought that if I appealed to my peers in the same way that those characters appealed to their audiences, I would be liked, and I would have friends. For a long time, that is the only way I thought I would be accepted by the people around me. Media often paints a very limited amount of dynamics for minority characters. This is incredibly sad. I think it is important that there is not only diversity in movies and shows, but variability in personality, so that kids understand there are more ways to be accepted besides being the loud, funny friend.
