Why Insecure Is Fierce
- Nov 5, 2018
- 3 min read
It's that time again! Cracking open this folder, I find myself very sceptical and unsure of what I will find. As with many things in my life, I have been avoiding (for 6 months now) watching this series because of one reason: I like doing the exact opposite of what has been suggested to me by Pierrette (a really good friend of mine). I don't know what it is about her recommendations, but I tend to put off everything she advices I watch because it feels right!? But after watching this gem, I must give it to her for knowing the great stuff from the mediocre.
The opening scene greets my ears with the iconic words/song, "All my life I had to fight!" Sound familiar? That's the black woman's war cry and it is the perfect opening to the most ground-breaking series (of colour?) I've seen in a while. So, here's the gist of it. Insecure is a modern-day insight of the modern-day black woman. You know, the fierce, fearless and always self-assured person we constantly wish to be but fail to be since we're human. This series shows the under-the -weather moments you (and I) don't want anyone to know exist. But with those moments, comes along that authentic-self people tend to be drawn to like a moth. Introducing (drum roll) Issa (who is in the image above) and Molly. They are the best of friends. They are also very, how do I say, worlds apart yet similar in many aspect (the former is the reason they are friends of course).
This series is terrifyingly relatable -it hit the nail on the head as far as my life is concerned. I identify more with Issa since she's so (impossible?) to understand at times - and that's so me. With all her quirky ways to psyche herself up, the one-of-a-kind (more sarcastic) reactions to situations that happen in her head and gracefully played out in her facial expressions, Issa just exudes weird vibes and authenticity. There are so many instances where she takes a pause and pulls a face (I am guilty of this) saying a thousand words (mainly, "wtf?!"). The entire series touches on a variety of social and racial issues that relate to the contemporary black experience.
One of the many scenes that stand out to me the most is the 'Jesus Saves' (this is what I'm going to call it) scene. This scene is so obviously inspired by The Boondocks (another cool series), that it injects this over-the-top gangsta behaviour that is only appropriate on the screen (Sorry?!). This scene has nothing to do with the ladies, but it so black that you will suffer a proper belly laugh in the best way ever.
Insecure elegantly (albeit truthfully) mirrors how the black girl utilises her real-life flaws and insecurities to cope with an array of uncomfortable everyday experiences. I mean, that's me and you and every girl out there. What better way to watch a series than to see a bit of yourself in the leads? It was best said by complex.com, "Finally, a show in this day and age that portrays black people as, well, black people." And it's all about black girl magic and I'm in love. I hope you fall in deep love with the authenticity, too. Here is the season 1 trailer to get you in the mood to get woke.
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