51 Comments
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Sita's avatar

This was a great post. Perhaps you are the writer you’re looking for 💜

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chandra's avatar

Thank youuuu for reading 🥹

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Myania Sade Rankins's avatar

I LOVED this post. it said everything i was thinking about for a while. to dive even deeper, i wonder why we don't have memorabilia and merch for our shows like STIC, Friends, etc... there's accounts dedicated to what Carrie wore from every episode and season (don't get me started on quotes.). for Insecure i can't even find a IG account for Issa Dee's sweaters or fits let alone a fan account for Molly or the rest of the crew. I've ranted about this on IG for years so thank you for your words.

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chandra's avatar

Thank you for reading and raising more thoughts/Qs on this topic!

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Myania Sade Rankins's avatar

no no, thank you! this is a topic we really need to talk about. it’s especially more fun that what we’re all dealing with at the moment.

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Briana Gabrielle's avatar

Don’t forget about Khadijah from Living Single. She owned her own magazine and yes she complained about finances a lot but other than that she was living her best life. I think she counts lol

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Tiana de Haseth's avatar

I’ve been using the characters of girlfriends as inspiration. I truly got overwhelmed by this “Carrie Bradshaw” praise on this app.

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myris o.'s avatar

it's SOOO tired... she's so uninteresting and whiney.

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myris o.'s avatar

It's so true.. I just want to see Black people being Black. I'm almost as tired of seeing the *too* affluent Blacks (like we get it... you're rich... you're a doctor), as I am tired of seeing the "we're so broke" Black people on TV. I do think that's of course coming around, as you mentioned Insecure, which was the first time I've ever watched TV and been like scared that someone was listening in on my conversations with my buddies, because it was just WAY too on point lol!

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Carolle-Anne TL's avatar

Loved Nola Darling in the new edition of Spike Lee’s She gotta have it! She’s a painter not a writer though! We definitely need more. Great read and analysis of SATC ❤️ love your writing.

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Warren sS's avatar

I don’t think we talk enough about Nola Darling! That show was so good and also thought provoking. That episode when she was scared while walking home from her friend’s house was crazy! She ate that role up from episode one and throughout the whole season!

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chandra's avatar

I need to give it another shot honestly because I didn’t love the show initially.

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Carolle-Anne TL's avatar

She did! I really enjoyed it.

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Kathleen's avatar

This was awesome and yes yes yes to less Carrie on the substack pipeline as THAT girl, when there are SO many other possibilities. I love watching SATC every now and then, despite realizing how much of a fool Carrie was all these years later LOL. Quinta Brunson, creator, writer, actor of/in Abbott Elementary has actively been changing the game and I also pray that Issa has something cooking up because I miss the feeling that a new episode of Insecure brought me.

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Carla Diogo's avatar

This is such a great observation, I've thought similar on certain films and TV shows, why must the majority of prodamenantly black shows feature, guns, drugs, violence, racism and slavery, awards going to 12 Years a Slave, Django unchained and so on, it's almost as if they only get funded if it falls in that gap. Can we just have people who go about their lives where good things happen and they just happen to be black? Xx

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chandra's avatar

🎯🎯🎯

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Dr. RL's avatar

Your article is a compelling and essential read. It invites us to reconsider how digital platforms can foster genuine inclusivity and equity. I appreciate the thoughtfulness and clarity. I highly recommend for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the nuances of this and many platform dynamics.

Your article does an excellent job of advocating for a broader, more inclusive narrative that acknowledges the diverse experiences of all women. Thank you for addressing how the platform tends to prioritize certain perspectives over others. Thank you for encouraging the platform orchestrators to reflect on whose voices are amplified and whose remain muted…..it is a crucial conversation, especially in the context of today's media landscape……

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chandra's avatar

Thank you for reading and your thoughtful response!

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rojeen rahman's avatar

i didn't watch sitc or friends until i was an adult, but i watch in living color, a different world, and moesha growing up. my mom knew what was up lol so we would watch together. great post. we needed this!!

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Crystal Stone's avatar

This is a beautiful post, and read! I loved that you said my thoughts out loud (in print)! I want to let Carrie rest, too. As you mentioned, we need more shows where the characters happen to be black and where our successes personally and professionally feel more relatable with origins that aren’t stepped in struggle. Some of us grew up in the upper middle class, with exposure, well-traveled, and still a first-generation American. I want to see our stories come alive in ways that transcend gritty and urban dramas. I would say Quinta Brunson is doing that with Abbott, which gives off a The Office vibe. But where’s our SATC, Seinfeld, etc., in the mainstream?

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chandra's avatar

Thissss! And thank you for reading!

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Maya's avatar

Amazing post! I enjoyed both series, but I heavily agree with the very last sentence. As a writer myself, this is much needed in the industry overall.

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Warren sS's avatar

Such a great read! I loved (most) of SATC and everything you said was on point! Thank you for the little nugget about Aretha Franklin and the A Different World theme song! I def played the YouTube embedded in the story and jammed out for a hot second while reading. lol

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chandra's avatar

Yesssssss it’s so good. Ty for reading!

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Erin's avatar

and I just want to add before going into college I think Zoey from Black-ish into Grown-ish (Yara Shahidi) definitely could have filled that empty space. Especially if she got a spin off from Grown-ish. Money wasn't the main focus, her life with friends and relationships were the only thing is, it wasn't from grown woman perspective. It was still from a teen - to young adult perspective. With Yara being 24 now, I think maybe we could have that type of show with her as our "Carrie".

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Erin's avatar

I think YOU are exactly who Issa Rae needs to sit down and create this concept with. Like Sita said, you're the writer. You already have the blog now we just need to build around it. And Since Issa technically has done this before (Insecure and Awkward Black Girl) this type of concept I feel is in her expertise. If you haven't already maybe share this blog link with her. you never know what could happen. :)

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chandra's avatar

Thank you for reading and your kind words! Maybe I should share this with her, never even crossed my mind to try and connected with her in that way.

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Erin's avatar

I just made another comment because I had another thought lol but hey do it! it's worth a shot and Issa already stated that she LOVES working with black creators and is actively doing so. Heck I'll send casting ideas if you need it lol give her a full layout!

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chandra's avatar

I welcome it all! And love a little quick brainstorm sesh. Send me anything you’re thinking and will def respond because this idea needs to come to life. X

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Erin's avatar

So far I decided to switch the lead from Yara to Keke Palmer. I think would definitely deliver a more Carrie-like feel but also more relatable for black women. Yara being one of her friends maybe the Charlotte-type because she can be relatable but also still give us the rich girl vibe, think Hillary Banks of fresh prince. I can see Cynthia Erivo giving us that Miranda vibe or Jerrie Johnson from Harlem. I really like Shoniqua Shandai be the 'Samantha' because she already gave us that glimpse in Harlem but maybe instead of her being a struggling actress, sis is actually paid.

Honestly mixing up the cast from Harlem and letting none of them have money issues. I feel like that's what the show was trying to do but since the it's being cancelled and season 3 will be it's last season, we definitely need something to replace it and stay.

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Ki's avatar

I feel an inspired post coming on, cause I bet Carrie of the present wouldn’t idolize Carrie of the past as much as these folks do.

✨ There are a few “4 girlfriend-groups” shows that I’ve loved lately. Harlem, First Wives Club, Run The World. Harlem was my favorite & FWC was wonderful for over 40s.

They all gave me more of what I loved: the ups & downs of different types of women who happen to be Black, with fashion a plenty & some great writing. They didn’t get the push or attention deserved, so they’ve gone under the radar, but I’d love to see more like them too.

*Diarra From Detroit is about another great Black woman character, seen in a new light.

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