One contemporary phenomenon that narrates blackness is the portrayal of the character of Kerry Washington plays in the hit television series called Scandal. This show, produced by Shonda Rhimes is unique because the protagonist of the show is a black woman. Not only is the character of Olivia Pope a black woman, she is also an educated, elegant, witty and incredibly intelligent black woman. Her character has a very good reputation and respected. People say her name in reverent tones. This is significant to a contemporary narration of blackness because black women are often portrayed on mainstream television in certain types of roles that do not allow black women to be viewed as dignified or educated. However, the character of Olivia Pope also has an affair with the President of the United States and has relations with him on the desk in the Oval Office. In that scene, some of the dignity that Kerry Washington’s character possessed was lost. Furthermore, it also portrays black women as hyper sexualized, having sex in inappropriate places with inappropriate men. While one could argue that this is a plot twist that is typical of Shonda Rhimes’s style, it also undoes some of the positive progress that was done for the portrayal of black women in the media. It is a perfect metaphor to illustrate the stage that the media is in currently in in terms of its portrayal of black women. While they are starting to understand that there is a need and market for strong intelligent black women roles on television, they are still not quite fully committed to portraying black women as such and regressing. The fact that media thinks that this is what viewers want to see is backwards and shameful. It is 2013, almost 2014, and everyone needs to get with the program—literally.
I completely agree with the statement listed above. Though Kerry Washington plays the role of a smart witty and intelligent young woman I am often intrigued by why many don’t go as far to ask why couldn’t she be the President’s wife instead of his mistress. The show exploits the affections of black women and in this case it enforces the past thought that white men can have black women whenever where ever. I think if this writer really wanted to contribute to black women in a positive light she would have kept her morality in tact. This show implies that black women will always be second to the white woman, and even though the president says that he wants to run away with Olivia that never happens. This show is very seductive but in all the wrong ways. It draws your eye from what the real problem is which is why can’t black women be portrayed as the 1st lady which is the highest moral positions to have in the U.S. and one of the noblest. Black women can be first ladies just ask Ms. Obama.