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.
