With the recent announcement that Andi Mack would not be getting a fourth season, the fans of the show have gotten it trending on twitter and tumblr, remembering why the show is so important to them while they continue to ask for the fourth season.
As Disney Channel progressed, they aired questionable shows that got way too much air time and episodes. But Andi Mack proved that it would not be like the other shows from the very first episode. Presenting the issue of teen pregnancy, Andi Mack immediately broke borders no other children’s show had done.
(Photo courtesy of Hollywood Reporter)
But teen pregnancy isn’t the only issue they’ve addressed. They’ve gone through the topics of having parents deployed, school dress code strictness, money struggles, the discrimination against Black girls for their hair, coming out to your friends, death in the family, gun control, and many more in just two and a half seasons. The characters have been put in many difficult situations where they don’t always get what they want, but they always have each other to lean on.
The main cast also includes diverse characters who get to discuss their backgrounds such as their Chinese heritage or Jewish traditions. Cyrus (Joshua Rush) is the second character on Disney Channel to come out as gay, and even used the phrase “I’m gay,” when he came out for a third time to his friend, Jonah (Asher Angel). Another moments of the show that have helped others are Jonah’s panic attacks scenes and TJ (Luke Mullen) discovering that he has dyscalculia. It boosts mental health awareness and gives kids the idea that they shouldn’t be scared to reach out for help. Seeing things like this on screen have proven to mean a lot to people watching the show because representation matters.
(Photo courtesy of Disney NOW)
I’ve taken the liberty to ask a few Tumblr users why Andi Mack was so important to them, and here were a few responses.
@imhereforthetyrus: Andi Mack is important to me because it the first time i ever saw minorities as the main chacter. It’s important to me because it showed learning disabilities and made me less insecure about having them. It shows that no one is good or bad and that every human a different shade of grey, it shows us characters who make mistakes and are human and that why Andi Mack is important to me.
@manasavalluru: Andi Mack has given me the ability to see myself, an Asian-American teenager, in a beautifully nonstereotypical way. I can’t describe how much Andi means to me and how much i wish i grew up with her on my TV.
@thinkingabouttyrus: It makes me feel seen, heard, and validated. “Andi Mack” is hope and light in the time of darkness and I’m honored to have witnessed its stories.
@k1ppen: andi mack is important to me cause it shows the representation i didn’t know i needed (kids MY AGE with anxiety and that are jewish)
@you-get-to-exhale-now-cyrus: Andi Mack has helped me come to terms with who I am, which is a huge part of my life. It makes me feel less alone.
@homosexualearthworm: I never thought I’d see LGBT representation in mainstream children’s media in my lifetime, and it’s good representation too. Plus, it’s just a good show overall.
Anonymous: Beside the representation and the real life situation we are given characters anyone can easily relate to, understand their struggles or see themselves in them. Plus Andi Mack never fails to make you cry, laugh or both at the same time thanks to the excellent actors – you can truly feel the cast’s dedication toward the show. Which is rare nowadays and this makes it more special, more personal
Over all, Andi Mack was a very important show to different people and although it’s coming to an end, viewers will never forget it.
The final episodes start airing June 21 and end with the series finale July 26.