By Jaylynn Donaldson ’25
The “awkward Black girl trope” is a refreshing perspective of Black women that we see more of in the media. The media has often portrayed Black women as the “sassy Black friend, ”the “angry Black woman,” the “strong Black woman,” and other stereotypes that limit and negatively shape the way Black women are perceived. The awkward Black girl trope, however, reminds us of the complexity and individuality of Black women.
The “awkward Black girl” is a term used to define the quirky and socially awkward black girl who challenges the societal pressures and stereotypes of what black women should be. Issa Raes’s “Mis—Adventure of Awkward Black Girl” and “Insecure,” Quinta Brunson’s Janine on “Abbott Elementary,” and the character Synclaire Jones from “Living Single” brought this perspective of black women to the screen. Each one expands the portrayal of Black women and offers a relatable and diverse depiction of Black womanhood on screen.
Issa Rae: The Awkward Black Girl Navigating Adulthood
Issa Rae’s career started due to her low-budget production YouTube series “The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl,” where she played J, a young Black woman navigating through her love life and social situations. As the series gained popularity, it caught the eye of HBO, leading to the creation of “Insecure.” “Insecure” follows the same theme of J being a young Black woman navigating love and social situations but adds more depth to her character, Issa. Issa deals with her insecurity and awkwardness as she makes humor to cope with uncomfortable everyday experiences and avoid conflicts. The most iconic and funny scene from “Insecure” is where Issa is shown talking to herself in the mirror, creating raps to cope with life and express how she truly feels. Even though Issa’s life can be a mess, it shows an honest depiction of a young Black woman dealing with relationships and career struggles while being in her awkward 20s. As Issa grows not only in the show but in real life, we see how her ideas turn into dreams as she stays true and connected to herself throughout the process. Issa shows awkward Black women that even though their journey in womanhood can be rough, they are not alone, and there is humor and beauty in the journey.
Janine Teagues: The Awkward Black Girl in the Workplace
As Issa represents the awkward black girl’s journey through womanhood, Quinta Brunson’s character, Janine Teagues, in her show “Abbott Elementary,” represents what it is like to be the awkward Black girl in the workspace. Janine is a teacher at the underfunded Philadelphia public school Abbott Elementary. With the school not having much funding, Janine is always determined to help her students and staff by fixing issues in the school, causing her to stand out by being overly passionate and more idealistic than the rest. She is usually the butt of the joke, due to the way she dresses, her optimism, and her awkwardness, especially by the principal Ava Coleman. Besides all the jokes, Janine is a problem solver who brings a lot of improvement to the school. Janine represents the awkward Black girl in the workplace and shows that your quirks and social awkwardness do not limit you, but that you can still be successful and make a difference.
Synclaire James: The Awkward Black Girl in the Friend Group
In “Living Single,” a show about a group of young Black people navigating through their lives in New York, it captures the diversity of black women by showcasing different personalities in each character. Among the distinct personalities, Synclaire stands out as a quirky, optimistic, and loveable character. While her friends sometimes look down on her or dismiss her for being naive in her positivity and even ditsy in her quirkiness, she constantly stays true to herself from the way she dresses to the way she acts. She is unapologetically herself and stands up for herself when others underestimate her. Synclaire’s relationship with Overton, the equally quirky and awkward tool man, challenges the idea that Black women have to behave and look a certain way to be loved and accepted. Their relationship does not show the “struggle love” that the media often equates to Black love, but a soft, supportive and genuine version that many love and prefer to see. Syncalire shows what it is like to be the awkward Black girl in the friend group, the one who stands out for their quirks and sometimes does not fit in. Synclaire empowers quirky and positive Black women to stay true to themselves as their authenticity will create meaningful relationships and a deep form of self-love.
Whether navigating personal growth like Issa, facing work challenges like Janine, or standing out in a friend group like Synclaire, these characters show that awkward Black girls are not alone. The awkward Black girl trope is essential as it gives diversity to how Black women are represented and empowers those who identify with it. Their journeys remind those to embrace their uniqueness and journeys of personal growth. Expanding the portrayal of Black women in the media can not only break stereotypes but also present authentic, relatable, and humorous depictions of Black womanhood.
The Raider Press 