By: Sebastien “@TheGayBestie” Gaudin
For over a decade the world has been graced with the groundbreaking work of Shonda Rhimes on network television, which has made a tremendous stamp for black women in Hollywood. Being that this woman has embodied so much power and opened doors for women of color it seems as though she’s left black men behind. No, not as characters in her shows, but pointing to absent portrayal of black love in her programming. What is this really saying to white America?
Taking a looking at her hit television series, Scandal the lead character Olivia Pope has been carrying on an affair with the president for 4 seasons who happens to be white. As the series has progressed we’ve only seen Pope interact with one other character her race romantically. Now this is not to shoot down the work of Rhimes, but it does question if she is subconsciously vilifying black men on her shows. We’ve just recently found out in How To Get Away With Murder that the black male student is the one who murdered Sam, the main character’s husband. The cause of the murder was due to his attempt to save his white girlfriend.
It’s understood that Isaiah Washington and Columbus Short brought negative attention to her projects in the past, but does this mean that there isn’t a yearn for healthy black love on television?
Within the African American society the term “sell out” is often used to describe someone who veers off to other races once reaching success. We see this happen time and time again with entertainers. We’re all familiar wit the tale. The young guy who has the ride or die girlfriend until he gets the check that changes his life. There isn’t anything wrong with interracial relationships, but in Shondaland Productions its near extinction.
The fact that two of her leading characters are African American and only associate themselves with white men romantically gives a mix message to viewers. A representation of at least one black couple would bring something different and refreshing to her audience. Although she did introduce a young black couple in #HTGAWM; lets not forget the fiancé happened to be on the “down low” for a period in his life. Really Shonda?
They do say, “Art imitates life and life imitates art”, but truth is what is Rhimes saying to black love, black men, and Black America?
###
As a New Jersey native it came as no surprise when Sebastien, birthed a knack for talking and writing. During his college days the young blogger gained experience through international talkers such as The Maury Show and The Mo’nique Show. After years of interning and assisting the aspiring journalist threw caution to the wind and launched The Gay Bestie, LLC.
The lifestyle and culture company provides a different spin on love, sex, relationships, and fashion. #TGB focuses on the 21st Century woman and her loyal companion, other known as the gay bestie. Readers will find discussions that are usually held behind closed doors placed in the forefront to totally meet the needs of all. No, topic is ever off limits.
So ladies brace yourselves because Sebastien is taking you places where you’ll be sure to blush and share a laugh! He’s giving exactly what’s been missing. Grab you’re favorite beverage (i.e. red wine), sit back, and prepare to gab about this with your girlfriends the minute you see them.
