Late to the Party with Black Lightning

Hello friends,

I blame Black Panther.

That's how, after trundling along for decades as a happy sci-fi fan (LLAP), I started paying attention to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The fact that my daughter was a fan also helped.

We started watching Marvel stuff together, which is only fair, since I got her into Star Trek. But then I branched out on my own, and that was when I realised I'd been missing out. Because I found Black LIghtning on Netflix, and soon got hooked on it.

It’s about a Black superhero who protects his community and fights crime, and about the struggles both he and his daytime persona have to maintain their family life.

Why I Like the Show

There are a bunch of reasons why I like it. First of all, a whole bunch of Black characters representing different Black experiences. Many of them are complex, too, not simply falling into well worn stereotypes. 

The show subtly - and sometimes not so subtly - deals with the history of racial politics in the USA, because many of the situations in this supposedly fictional universe actually happened. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen it but whew, chile!

It also tackles the complexities of advocacy and allyship - when does it cross over into savourism? And shows characters, Black and white, who are not simply good or bad, but run the gamut of human feelings and experiences.

As someone who didn’t grow up in the USA, there are scenes that I imagine will feel all too real to those who did - police brutality, racism, systemic changes and the like. I personally found that the storyline where the change in personnel at the high school resulted in the expulsion of a Black teen hit close to home - and that’s just one example. 

Yes, We Do Need Black Heroes

The show was created by Salim Akil. Here’s what he said: “Up until now, there were very few heroic black men on television. The man that I wanted to introduce on-screen was one who was focused on saving Black youth, Black people, and saving his Black self.”

Is it the best show in the world? No, it isn't. But does it soothe something in my soul to see all these Black characters on screen? Yes, it certainly does.

I grew up at a time where it was rare to see complex Black and Global Majority characters on-screen, so there's still something in me that is thrilled when it happens, whatever the quality of the programme. And I'm delighted that we can now see more work like Akil's - entertainment created unapologetically by a Black creator for a Black audience.

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Take Action

Black and Global Majority friends, have you seen Black Lightning? If you have, what did you think?

Would-advocates and accomplices, watching this show will give you a different insight into the issues Black communities face, albeit with a lightly fictionalised lens. Why not check it out?

Thanks for reading,

Sharon

Note: poll feedback is private - if you’re happy to share your thoughts in public, then please also leave a comment.

I am an anti-racism educator and activist, the author of “I’m Tired of Racism”, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast.

© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2024. All Rights Reserved. This newsletter is published on beehiiv (affiliate link).