Is Representation Enough to Feel Seen?

Is Representation Enough to Feel Seen?

“For me growing up, the dark skinned women who had a spotlight or were celebrated had to be exceedingly, almost super humanely beautiful,” says culture and film critic Zeba Blay. “You couldn’t just be a pretty dark skinned Black girl.” In Carefree Black Girls, Blay explores the impact Black women have had on popular culture throughout history—and how pop culture has shaped Black womanhood. In this conversation, Blay and Erica Chidi talk about representation and colorism in Hollywood. Blay also explains what it means to be a carefree Black girl, where joy comes from, and why she decided to speak openly about mental health.