Why Grown-ish Is So Woke
- Oct 14, 2018
- 2 min read
So, let’s talk Grownish. Unlike many who can tolerate watching a series episode-by-episode on a weekly basis, I choose (and am accustomed to) not going through what I consider to be hell. Having a laptop allows for my cravings to be met with swift urgency and I rather have that than wait a whole (entire) week to watch a series that has caught my imagination. I know I’m not acting grown in this one area of my existence, but it shall stay as such.
As a spin-off of hit sitcom Blachish, my expectations for Grownish were high. I anticipated various ground-breaking and socially conscious issues (that main-stream television has chosen to sweep under the rug) to be tackled head-on and that is what I got. My ultimate wish for this folder is that its contents will make for some great conversation starters for ama2000 of Mzansi and, more specifically, for the black girls and boys of the world to finally see university from their perspective.
Grownish is a stellar attempt by series creator, Kenya, to offer, on a silver platter (and screen), a uniquely Black [American] narrative of the college experience we have so eagerly longed for. In retrospect, the high school experience by Disney’s, That’s So Raven, may was ahead of its time when it hit the screens in the early 2003, but Grownish is, quite simply, in a league of its own. Don’t get me wrong, there is comedy here and there - as with its parent series, Blackish - but this series carries with it some nous of actual (grown) maturity. Dealing with controversial yet relatable topics that pleague the black community, Gownish has gone beyond the typical college flicks (that I have come accustomed to) that focus more on mundane subject matter that have a strong history of being fixable and forgettable. Episode by episode, the topics tackled become more contentious in their complexity while retaining relevance connected to the black consciousness.
With its awkward yet thought provoking moments, this series has gained my respect. The season may start off shaky, but as the series progresses and the characters get into their own adulating stride, it really stands out as a reminder to all that we may be magic but we exist and are multifaceted at best.
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