Mean Girls--Why are Black Women So Mean--on TV?

The great thing about "Everybody Hates Chris" getting cancelled is that we no longer have to hear the shrewish screech of Rochelle, the brow-beating, loud-mouth nag who ruled the household with an iron fist and harsh tone, portrayed by Tichina Arnold. But there are plenty of other mean Black women on television to take her place.

Seems like reality shows are one of the best places to find the distorted version of a "strong Black woman", i.e. a Black woman who thinks unnecessary conflict and cattiness is the way to assert one's personal power. BET's "Harlem Heights" showcases a "successful", (booshie) young, Black and classist clique coming up in Harlem. And E!'s "Candy Girls" features the lifestyle of several "video vixens". Both shows highlight the shallow and hard-hearted behavior of supposedly today's successful Black woman. But since when did the constant engagement in self destructive actions like petty gossip and fighting over who gets next in the makeup chair equal success or strength? But it's not just the reality shows that paint a picture of the modern Black woman as a straight up be-yotch.

Though lately we've seen the softer side of Whilemina Slater on "Ugly Betty", done brilliantly by Vanessa Williams, typically this professional Black woman gets her way with insulting, manipulative, and ruthless tactics. And there has been a consistent trend on television in the depiction of the Black woman as unyielding harpies. On “Grey's Anatomy” Chandra Wilson's character, Dr. Bailey is known as "The Nazi", as she frequently slings her sassiness letting everyone within the sound of her voice know she's there to put everyone in check. And in one of the last new episodes of “The Game” recently, Wendy Raquel Robinson’s character, Tasha Mack turns to her friend and says, “I’m mean” –point blank when confronted about her abrasive ways.

Are these characters entertaining? Yes. Do they further the stigmatized image of the coarse uncompromising Black woman? Definitely. Can we get more balance when manufacturing the Black female image? It’s a shame that you have to go back 25 years to Claire Huxtable to find a quintessential example of the strong Black woman who always used intellect and wit to confront ignorance and disrespect without ever raising her voice, using profanity, or getting violent—basically, without getting “i’gnant”. Can writers and reality show producers showcase more Black women who utilize the method of the “Claire Huxtable curse-out” instead of the wielding of curling irons, weave pulling and name calling?

Historically Black women have had to be strong and assertive just to get by, let alone get ahead. But this strength should not be likened to extraneous aggression, unnecessary attitude, and hurtful antics. As the contemporary real life version of Claire Huxtable has been publicly represented in our new first lady, can our television images reflect the diversity of the Black female spirit and offer depictions that counter the typical stereotypes?

The legacy of Black women is one that typifies warmth, love, generosity and dignity. Black women can be strong without being offensive and assertive without being acerbic. And, Black women can also be entertaining without a mean spirited hand on a hip and a neck that swivels.

What do you think about the way Black women are portrayed on television?