We all know that when it comes to superhero shows, The CW always does them right, but this one is more than following the comics, the special effects, and the superhero per se. Black Lightning may be a superhero show, but it’s still extremely tied to reality. Here are some reasons why Black Lightning is such an important show to have in this generation:
- First black superhero family
Not only is Black Lightning black, he has two black daughters who also have powers. Can you imagine that? Representation is very important, and to have two strong black female superheroes, one strong black man as a hero (instead of a criminal), and a black mom, with no powers, but courage and strength among the family. Black people everywhere not only finally feel represented, but they feel proud to know that they can all be superheroes too.
- LGBT Representation
THIS SHOW HAS THE FIRST BLACK LESBIAN SUPERHERO! This is more than important, it’s monumental. Although many shows represent LGBT people, they don’t represent a lot of diverse LGBT members. And to have her be a superhero? Even better! The best thing is, there’s no big “coming out” story or plot line. Anissa’s sexuality, the black lesbian superhero, is treated as if it were normal. Her parents are completely accepting and don’t make her sexuality a big thing. This is good because it demonstrates how LGBT members are people just like you and me. They are normal and are NOT defined by their sexuality, and that is exactly what the show depicts.
- Police Brutality
Police brutality has been a big issue these past couple of years, and in the first episode, they don’t go easy on that topic. In the very pilot, Jefferson, also known as Black Lightning, is stopped by police officers and assaulted by them while on his way to a ceremony with his two daughters in the back seat. When they let him go, they said that a black man had just robbed a liquor store, and they were just making sure it wasn’t him, although it was obvious any man wearing a suit with two young girls in the car would never go rob a liquor store.
- Gangs
The entire “villain” in this show is gangs. This show is placed in a crime-filled city where they demonstrate how the streets are filled with drugs and how the gangs handle that situation.
- The bad guys…
Guys… the villain in this movie… is… wait for it… an albino man! THE DIVERSITY I TELL YOU! THIS SHOW IS DOING GREAT THINGS! And he’s such a good villain! I love to hate him! He’s so passionate about what he does and shows so much strength in every single word that he uses. If he could narrate my every move for the rest of my life, I’d be happy forever. And his superior is an even STRONGER black woman. And the relationship between them two… AMAZING!
- Sisters
Although Jennifer, the younger sister, is a wild child, her and Anissa still have a very strong bond. They both help each other out, give each other advice, and act just as normal sisters would. It’s lovely seeing women, especially of color, lift each other up and love each other instead of seeing themselves as competition, especially within the family.
- Family first
It’s such a great thing to see a black family on TV, but an even better thing is to see a loving and unified black family on TV. This family may fight, like any other family, but at the end of the day, it’s clear that their love, respect, and acceptance for each other is way greater than their little arguments. Even though the parents are divorced, you can see that they still love each other and care for each other deeply. (Honestly, Jefferson and his ex-wife are my new OTP).
- Real
The best thing about this show, in my opinion, is that even though it’s a “superhero show”, it’s the realest thing I’ve seen on TV. They talk about current issues like drugs, gangs, police brutality, racism, and so much more. The best thing is that, even the villain is a real issue in life; The villain is not some Lex Luther type trying to take over the world or some alien from space; it’s villains that are present in our reality. To see a super hero battle those kinds of things makes it feel real, like you’re a part of it, or like Black Lightning could just walk up to you as if he’s a real life person.
Another reason why it’s so real is the fact that not only is Black Lightning a superhero, but Jefferson Pierce is also one. You can see that he is the neighborhood’s hero with superpowers or not. He brings hope to his community and helps those in need, showing that in order to help things that are happening in real life, you don’t need powers, you just need love.
Black Lightning, in my opinion, is the best superhero that The CW has yet to bring to life. He brings hope, not only to his community in the TV show but to everyone watching it. This show demonstrates how equal we all are, how much we all care, and how there are superheroes everywhere in our lives, no matter the color of their skin, their sexuality or their gender. We all can be superheroes.