Natural black light ink11/7/2023 ![]() If its emphasis on black hair, representation, and social issues weren't enough of an indication that Black Lightning is more than your average superhero show, Williams is even more convincing. "I'm happy that black women like her finally get the representation that they deserve on TV and can be empowered by how boldly she walks in her sexuality." "How often do we see black women opposite of other women?" Williams says, recalling all the times in her career that her love interests have been men. Williams - who had been wanting to play a superhero for years - also takes pride in how her character, in keeping with her depiction in the comics, is a lesbian in the series. It's especially gratifying, then, that Anissa and Black Lightning's other female characters alternate between short cuts, natural curls, cornrows, and blowouts, highlighting the beauty and versatility of black hair.īut the representation for Black Lightning doesn't stop there. To some, hair texture might seem like a trivial issue to focus on when searching for representation on TV, but a 2016 study found that “a majority of people - regardless of race and gender - hold some bias towards women of color based on their hair.” The study, conducted by the Perception Institute in conjunction with Shea Moisture, also found that black women experience more anxiety surrounding hair issues than their white female counterparts, and often feel more pressure to straighten their hair due to society's fixation with European standards of beauty. I hope to empower young black girls watching the show to walk in their own power and be proud of how they look." "It’s important to be who we are and look like we are and know that we’re beautiful. “I love that we’re wearing our natural hair on the show because there are messages in that," Williams tells Bustle. And Williams couldn't be prouder of that imagery. It was particularly thrilling, many said, to see Anissa transform from an outspoken teacher and social activist into a badass, cornrow-sporting superhero. "Thunder," played by actress Nafessa Williams, debuted earlier this month. Twitter was delighted when first-look photos of Anissa, A.K.A. There's actually something even more blatantly depicted in the show that's worth celebrating: Its emphasis on characters with natural black hair. And fighting crime by his side are his two daughters Anissa and Jennifer, who tap into superhero powers of their own.īrought to life by creators and executive producers Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, Black Lightning is not just notable because of its predominantly black cast and its commitment to shining a light on social issues like racial profiling and police brutality. ![]() The show follows Jefferson Pierce, a high-school principal and retired superhero, who's lured out of retirement when crime plagues his community. Amid a sea of comic-book inspired shows airing on television today, The CW’s newest series Black Lightning ( executive producer: Sarah Schechter) is already making waves. ![]()
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