From our computer screens, to our bookshelves and now, to our television screens, Issa Rae is here to stay.
Whether you have been following her five-year trip to HBO or if you are just now hopping on board the Issa train with “Insecure,” she gives an exclusive look on what it is like to be a woman, black and getting older.
Making her debut in February 2011, with “The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl” as a character named J, Rae made sure that she and other awkward black girls alike would not have to navigate any lane that they did not fit in. Instead, she encouraged them to create their own lane with a show that she curated via YouTube, which is now an award winning web series.
However, Issa’s new show is seen as a comedic satire to real life situations that many women in her shoes encounter. From the childish boyfriend, to that ex that you are stuck on, to a best friend that won’t quit and to an office that views you as the token black girl, Issa’s got you covered all within the first episode. Though this show may serve as comedic relief, Issa describes Insecure as “not the quintessential Black-woman experience,” as she told Time magazine.
In this new series Issa is portraying herself and has managed to bring a slew of other characters portrayed by Jay Ellis, Yvonne Orji and many other faces that may be familiar to us.
Insecure begins with Issa meeting a class of middle school aged children tackling who unexpectedly “come for her life” without the slightest bit of hesitation. One student asks, “what’s wrong with your hair? My cousin can put some tracks in it,” as she points out Issa’s TWA (teeny weeny afro) as if she had forgotten to style it appropriately. The biggest mouth dropper for Issa is when she is compelled to give a mini-spill on her life, where she mentions with angst that she has been in the same relationship for five years.
For most women in their twenties, that may have not been such of a big deal. However, for Issa it is an internal ticking time bomb considering that in this moment it is also her 29th birthday.
The show follows with Issa comparing herself to her best friend Molly, who is this super-successful corporate woman who Issa describes as, “being loved by all of the white people, and all of the black people.”
Insecure is not only hilarious (I literally could not stop laughing), but Issa as herself is so relatable of a character. Rae has hit the mark with this show because the representation of that awkward and insecure black girl trying to find her way into womanhood is there.
The traditional narrative of having all of your life together by a certain time is also thrown out of the window (finally) as Issa is not ashamed to hit an old hangout spot and live a little. I appreciate this moment especially because Rae is giving a realistic view on what it is like to be somewhat successful, but also somewhat all over the place, and that is totally okay. This is particularly important because it is so easy to put so much pressure on yourself and still feel as though everything that you are doing is not enough.
Though the season has just begun, I can appreciate the work that Issa is doing with her two shows. They are not only timeless, but a good example on representation for the up-and-coming black woman. It is not easy attempting to navigate any transitional stage, but she sure does make it look like fun!
Aside from that, she is honest, brilliant, emotional and a big sister in your head if you did not have one. This show will definitely make you want to grab your girlfriends and laugh at the relatable scenarios together. But make no mistake, even though her experiences are significant to some black women, it is very clear that this show is made for everyone to watch and learn from.
Insecure is on Sunday’s over on HBO at 10:30 p.m. eastern standard time. I hope that you will be watching!