The 2008-2014 HBO popular TV series True Blood has
been revered as one of HBO’s most watched shows during that time period
(although I can barely see why after watching the first season). Despite my
personal opinions of the acting in the show, it does represent a lot of cultural
views such as the vampire laws and their relation to the civil rights laws in
the United States. Following most of the book accurately, the show has a clear
tendency of trying to make it more racially diverse. However, these “good” intentions,
however well they may have been, have come off the wrong way by fitting various
different stereotypes into the three black characters of the show. Tara
Thornton, Sookie’s best friend, is an African American female who basically
encompasses the very idea of a sassy and mad black woman. She not only harbors
strong feminist ideas, but also usually adds on to those ideas with the fact
that she is a black female. In one instance of the show Tara makes a remark
about her name to a customer who had been patiently waiting to be served.
[customer snaps for service]
Tara
Thornton: Do NOT snap at me! I have a name, and that name is Tara. And
innit that funny? A black girl being named after a plantation?
[customer laughs]
Tara
Thornton: No, I don't think it's funny at all! In fact, it really pisses
me off that my momma was either stupid or just plain mean. Which is why you
better be nice if you plan on getting a drink tonight!
Not only is Tara portrayed as a feminist and loud/angry
black woman but she also has no father, and a drunk and abusive mother. Moving
on to Lafayette, the third black character in the series, he is known for not
only being homosexual, but a drug dealer as well. Later in the series he is
even seen as selling his body in order to get his drug supplies and other
profits. Due to this, I have to come to the final question of is it because
they’re black? Is it because they’re black that we never hear any mention of
Tara and Lafayette’s fathers? Is it because they’re black that Lafayette is the
most open homosexual main character in the show? Is it because they’re black
that Lafayette is the drug dealer of the show and Tara is friend who always has
something to say when it comes to not worrying about wearing a filer on her
mouth? As it’s not bad enough that the only black characters in the cast are
strong negative stereotypes in some people’s eyes, Tara later all of a sudden
comes out of the closet and admits to be lesbian.
I don’t believe the show is purposefully attempting to depict
these natural stereotypes about black people; I just find it more than odd that
the only black characters in the show are not regular people but instead follow
different labels. Both characters exist as comic relief and aren’t bad at how
they play their roles either, but it would be pleasing to see them viewed as something
else other than just the drug dealer or angry black lady.
I agree with you that the only African American characters we see throughout the show follow stereotypes. These characters, compensating for the almost lack thereof in the novel, are cringingly clichéd. Whatever writer took it upon themselves to create these characters (hopefully) unknowingly wrote them based on stereotypes, meaning all the African American characters don’t truly express originality in their inception, unlike the careful consideration of Sookie’s fairy mind-reading abilities or Sam as a shape-shifting collie. We don’t get to see any of the black characters of the show be normal people—their scenes are almost always underlined with their stereotypical personalities, and though they do provide some comic relief, those who truly pay attention to what they’re watching know that this fact takes away from the quality of the show.
ReplyDeleteThis show attempts to be progressive with the racial and sexual themes, but then it goes and makes the three black characters extremely racist stereotypes. HBO is known for being progressive and often ahead of its time as far as direction, content and themes go, but sometimes it goes to the opposite extreme and paints what could be good and interesting characters into stereotypes simply because it's common or funny. The racist stereotype is nothing new to TV but one might think that a show like True Blood would rise above that and develop well rounded african american characters that do more than serve as the racial stereotypes that they are depicted as. These characters have so much potential, but sadly the show reserves real character development for the white characters and the African Americans are sadly left out, this is truly heartbreaking because a show centered around a character lafayette could be way more interesting than Sookie.
ReplyDeleteI agree with many points brought up. Also, in regards to Lafayette, I wanted to add how I feel is portrayed as a racist dream. He's just seems to be portrayed very wrong. He is the only black actor on the set making his profile more disturbing. As you mentioned he is a drug dealer. He also produces porn and is nearly a transexual. There does not seem to be many likable traits about him or his morals. But I guess it's all about entertainment and views now. Racism and sexual orientation is used as a viewing effect and attraction kind of like how animals are in a zoo.
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