Bland AF: The Importance of Representation in Appreciating Mediocre Black Art

<p>It’s impossible to be all things to all people but where is the demarcation line between ignoring the culture and doing things your own way? Folks like Tyler Perry, Oprah (no last name, you know the one!) and more recently Lena Waithe and Kenya Barris have come under fire for not representing the totality of Black culture. But did anyone ever ask them to? </p><p> </p><p>But before we get started…</p><p><strong>DIS/Honorable Mentions </strong></p><p>This week, Tre’vell has an honorable mention to <a href="https://www.accessonline.com/articles/dwyane-wades-neon-red-hair-gets-the-best-reaction-from-wife-gabrielle-union">Dwyane and Zaya Wade</a> who debuted matching fuschia hair this week—much to the delight of wife Gabby Union. </p><p>An honorable mention also goes out to the always-delighful Tracee Ellis Ross of <i>Black-ish </i>fame who stars in her first leading movie role with <a href="https://www.focusfeatures.com/the-high-note"><i>The High Note</i></a>. You can go <a href="https://twitter.com/i/events/1262751030824939522">here</a> to join the Twitter watch part this Friday at 5PM PT / 8PM ET. </p><p>Lastly, an honorable mention to <a href="https://twitter.com/thatonequeen">Bob the Drag Queen</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/itsSHANGELA">Shangela</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/eurekaohara">Eureka O’Hara</a> who star in the new HBO show <i>We are Here</i>. You can <a href="https://play.hbonow.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GXl2YzQCV8J4_wwEAABwH?camp=Search&play=true">stream it now</a>.  </p><p> </p><p>Over on Team Side-Eye, Jarrett has a DIShonorable mention for <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/26/us/central-park-video-dog-video-african-american-trnd/index.html">Amy Cooper</a> for weaponizing <a href="https://verysmartbrothas.theroot.com/thoughts-on-forgiving-amy-cooper-aka-darth-karen-who-1843701476">White Woman Tearz™</a> and calling the cops on a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/nyregion/amy-cooper-christian-central-park-video.html">hot nerdy black bird watcher</a> for having the audacity