Black Joy & Whimsy: ”Abbot Elementary”

https://youtu.be/cvRIhfHOTIQ?si=tAR0QX7DryjynJw0

Inspired by the video essay by Lani’s Lens, she discusses the 2021 critically acclaimed sitcom, mockumentary show, Abbot Elementary which features a predominantly black ensemble of characters within the setting of an all black elementary/middle school in Philadelphia. Abbot elementary is a section of black media that deserves to be celebrated for its completely human characters, but also how her black characters are fully-fleshed out and human without dragging out old-dated stereotypes. It’s the kind of black representation that should be uplifted and celebrated in the media. There’s an expectation when we see black women not only in the medias we consume, but also through our daily lives. Usually when those expectations aren’t met, ridicule happens. Even with Janine’s character, creator and lead actress of the show, Emmy winner Quinta Brunson defended Janine’s character a multitude of times saying, “I think it’s important for us to have characters who are more realistic than they are the absolute best representation of us.” Janine gives way for black female characters to be imperfect and not conform to society’s expectation on what’s expected of a black woman. Janine as a character is slightly awkward, whimsy, optimistic, little clumsy, and goes through the joys and despairs of a job in education. She’s human — she messes up, she learns, she tries again, she’s passionate, she has dreams and goals. Even with all the black characters in the show, at their core, they’re human beings not confined to the stereotypes or expectations society puts on them as black women or men. Even throughout the seasons of Abbot, we’re able to see these characters grow as human beings. Janine allows black women to not be perfect and it is those imperfections that help demonstrate that its core, black characters (especially black female characters) that are written just need to be human.