Posts tagged Issa Rae.

strugglingtobeheard:

amantesuntamentes:

one of the comments from a member of the CFC really puts things into perspective:

“It seems to me that there is no tolerance for criticism even if it is done in love by long time supporters of ABG. Many of the previous comments here and on the CFC Facebook page reflect the fact that black folks have no tolerance for criticism regarding the rampant homophobia and transphobia in our community. The criticism of the open letter is not about supporting the comedic speech of ABG, this is about folks taking an opportunity to say I don’t support transfolk anyway so black folks, especially someone we like, have creative license to use the term “tranny” in a derogatory manner because transfolk simply don’t count. I’m sorry but equating the widely circulated terms nigga and bitch to “tranny bitch” simply are not the same thing in this political moment and many of the negative commenters know it. So if you want to condemn the CFC for using our voices to fiercely support transwomen as valuable members of our community while also showing fierce support for ABG, then go right ahead. But please remember that when the CFC challenged the racist sign held by white women at a slutwalk and the sexist and violent language of a black male academic on his FB page folks were ready to join in. As fans, we all lose if we cannot challenge the people we admire most in popular culture to be mindful of their power. So here we are dealing with an awkward moment, let’s see if there is some wisdom that can come from it.”

This has definitely given me some things to think about because I am willing to admit that as a ciswoman it is difficult for me to fully understand the sentiments of those who were offended. And those last two lines are the truth.

What they said is worded quite well to me. It’s truth. Seeing the ABG facebook page was really making me upset because so many black women were saying fuck CFC say whatever you want, you don’t need to be politically correct, who gives a fuck type shit. That was disappointing as all fuck because the large majority saying it was black women. CFC was coming from a place of total love so people need to understand that, ABG as well as the mofos talking all that nonsense. 

wocsurvivalkit:

crunkfeministcollective:

Dear Awkward Black Girl,
 
We love the show! We also love your continuous engagement with fans and your commitment to staying on the Web to maintain your vision. What we don’t love is the transmisogyny and misogyny in episode 11.
 
In episode 11, CeCe calls Angelina Jolie/White Jay’s ex a “tra**y bitch in heels.” The word tra**y perpetuates violence and divisiveness amongst women by relying on the idea that trans women are not “real” women; it suggests that White Jay’s ex is somehow less than the main character J.  
 
The word “tra**y” has a very real history of violence and discrimination, often targeting trans women. It has been used as a slur, as a way to objectify women, and as a way of denying the personhood of trans women on the basis of appearance.
 
We have seen your responsiveness to the fans of ABG and we hope that by raising this concern you will respond accordingly by not using such language in future episodes. There are so many awkward queer, trans, and disabled folks who love the show and it hurts to see and hear our lives used as punchlines. For those of us, the awkward black, queer folks who have lived at the intersections of our awkwardness, our blackness, and our transness, words like “tra**y” erase our lives, and our humanity. Phrases like “No lesbo” and the use of affected speech to imitate hard of hearing people detract from the vision of creating representations for the rest of us who are all too often maligned in mainstream media.
 
We look forward to many more episodes of The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl that are hilarious without the use of marginalized groups as a punchline. We have confidence that you have the creativity to continue to push comedic boundaries in new ways and educate your audience in the process.
 
With fierce love,
alicia sanchez gill
Claire Nemorin
Moya Bailey
Kimberley Shults
Anonymous Awkward Others

This response was posted by @issarae and the ABG team:

Some of our viewers may have been offended by some of the language in our recent episode. We take this matter especially to heart, considering the CFC and members of the LGBT community were among the first to embrace ‘The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.’

Since our first episode debuted in February this year, ‘Awkward Black Girl’ has received an incredible outpouring of support from hundreds of thousands of fans. We love and appreciate each and every one of our fans! In return, we strive to provide a show that uses irreverent comedy and humor to address the oftentimes uncomfortable situations that many people have experienced at some point or another in their lives.

In creating a series of this nature, we are willing to accept the praise when the jokes work and the feedback when they may not.

Sincerely, Issa & Tracy

Follow the discussion at crunkfeministcollective.tumblr.com