disney channel's colorism problem.

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[@jareledeshad5059]

Have you noticed that they also perpetuated the idea of light daughters and dark sons in KC Undercover? Zendaya and her mom are biracial and ambiguous while her dad and brother are obviously phenotypically Black.

[@JulianSteve]

The same thing happened in “The Proud Family” too. I do not like the agenda of making the Black women representation being mixed with Black women all the time. It’s problematic, especially if the family is predominantly Black💯

[@lunko1736]

Im just guessing here, but I think they mostly did that since Zendaya was the star of the show. Since she is biracial, I think they cast the mom with a biracial actor as well so that it would make more sense, because Zendaya would look really weird being biracial in the family if both of the parents were predominantly black. Again, I’m just guessing this is why they made that decision

[@aviatress5643]

Also notice how Zendaya’s character and her mother were written as the sensible and judicious ones; the antithesis of Ernie, Judy and Craig who were characterised as immature, crazy, stubborn and somewhat selfish.

[@sarahthomas8670]

@@JulianSteveI agree

[@FanGurl4TY]

Even as a lighter skinned black girl I really wish the media would stop doing this. Mixed woman are now always cast as the token black woman or main "black woman" as if that is some type of diversity

[@PrincessYonna1]

I agree. Light skin black girls are being replaced with mixed women, we look distinctly DIFFERENT. They’re trying to erase us. Dark skin girls need more and better representation.

[@asiadorsey2369]

I'm light skinned african american girl and there's problems in shows with colorism

[@mdafneirais]

It also feels weird that very often I see people fancasting Zendaya as the live action version of every poc woman

[@no.reply_]

This👆 There’s a character in aliñar Chronicles, that’s obviously dark skinned and every single time they fan cast Zendaya

[@somerealthotgirlshii7075]

Like when they fantasy her as Tiana (A dark skinned woman)

[@cygnetlake8017]

They wanted Zendaya to be Princess Tiana and then I realize ppl really have no brain cells

[@sarahthomas8670]

Makes me very uncomfortable

[@vivifoxysdaughterandchild544]

While we are making good strides with representation, we still have a long way to go. Black women shouldn't have to hide their blackness to get roles and be presented as beautiful. Black women should be getting casted more. When you keep getting biracial or any other kind of mixed woman to play characters who are supposed to be monoracial, it makes your strive for diversity seem disingenuous.

[@peachgumi]

I do love Zendaya but as a child I didn't realize she was black because she didn't look like me, like you said she did push for a black family on Disney I just wish that more thought was put into how these families are represented and how it effects those who watch them

[@JulianSteve]

I agree with you💯

[@cygnetlake8017]

The bigger picture here is the very sad fact that sooo many monoracial black women are living vicariously and hopefully through biracial women in Hollywood because of the privileges they are awarded AND the promises they indirectly make to Black women: basically about supporting them to the top will allow these biracial people to center more monoracial black women in their projects. I am humiliated for many black women because now these women are in top positions, they are still very focused on centering themselves in their projects (understandably it's their right) and still caught up in appealing to whiteness/non black-womanhood. Basically the essence and level of alliance Black women expect from biracial women in Hollywood WILL NOT be met and they should stop dreaming in fantasy land.

[@rinibunny4576]

Yes as a child I didn’t think she was black despite coming from a black family lol I guess I never questioned it haha

[@shirlecemcghee]

This is a serious issue in media and society. Over the years, it has become difficult to ignore. It has come to the point that I can't enjoy certain media. No one wants to discuss and it gives me anxiety. Seeing KZbinrs like this that have the perspective to discuss is refreshing.

[@JulianSteve]

I agree with you. I try my best to talk about these uncomfortable conversations on colorism and racism too🙌🏾‼️

[@l.t.celoni5024]

I think Zendaya was only allowed to have so much of a say in the show *because* she was the star. From what I’ve seen/heard, Disney wanted Zendaya to be in a show and she agreed, as long as she had a say in what that show became, and she used her say to have a black family represented on a Disney show. The stunt double thing, though, is just flat out racist. I remember in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, at one point, she was fighting a group of men, including one black man, and there’s a moment you can clearly see the stunt double is a man in blackface. Your videos are always interesting, and I love hearing your analysis :)

[@kordeliiius9821]

I really appreciate the part at the end about Hollywood being held up by blue collar workers. Sound teams, cinematographers, casting directors, editors, etc are so important but are not given proper recognition in mainstream coverage. It makes the previous Oscars particularly infuriating because it cut many production awards from the broadcast

[@marajones1828]

👏🏾Black kids absorb colorism!👏🏾 Thank you for your vids and all you do and bring to awareness. I never was a huge fan of KC undercover but as a kid I noticed the light skinness. I was on the darkest of my 3 siblings and my family always reminded me of it. From telling me I would be a field slave vs a house slave like my light skin siblings to telling me not to go in the sun to get darker. The next step to having a black family in a tv show is to have a darker skin black lead! All my childhood I hated how I only felt “seen” as a secondary character or the “black friend”. That stuck with me from childhood all the way to adulthood! Ps. I’m digging that cute powerpuff song at the end. Did you write that? ❤️

[@cygnetlake8017]

The bigger picture here is the very sad fact that sooo many monoracial black women are living vicariously and hopefully through biracial women in Hollywood because of the privileges they are awarded AND the promises they indirectly make to Black women: basically about supporting them to the top will allow these biracial people to center more monoracial black women in their projects. I am humiliated for many black women because now these women are in top positions, they are still very focused on centering themselves in their projects (understandably it's their right) and still caught up in appealing to whiteness/non black-womanhood. Basically the essence and level of alliance Black women expect from biracial women in Hollywood WILL NOT be met and they should stop dreaming in fantasy land.

[@jourdonpatron212]

"YEAH I STOLE THAT FROM PBS KIDS, WHATCHU GON DO? FIGHT ME?" MA'AM PLZ 😭😭😭

[@crazylizze98]

Can I just say we also need more representation of mixed families? I have rarely seen a show about parents with one white and one black parent, one Asian and one hispanic parent, one native and one Israeli parent, etc. Mixed kids with mixed families need to see themselves too. In my opinion if you insist on making your main character very obviously mixed then why not make the rest of the family that way too?

[@CR0WBS]

i totally agree and everytime they do a white dad whos cornu af 😥😥😥😥😥😶😶😶

[@jenn4593]

Having a mixed family would also send a positive message to be more accepting of others outside one’s own race.

[@andiflores4638]

9:32 that’s reminds me of when Sasha from the live action bratz movie had a white stunt double, Sasha was also very light skin compared to the actual doll who is darker. This little comment is for a fun fact: coincidentally, kadeem hardison played Logan Browning’s dad (for bratz) and zendaya’s dad (for K.C. Undercover).

[@magsyilden670]

Never been here when there's no comments to scroll thru 😭

[@FanGurl4TY]

The way they are casting (black and white or black and etc) mixed people as the "new black people" is so apparent even in the new live action Monster High casting and youtubers who I thought were "allys" are just chill about it

[@Reina00721]

Not the "she's an android"😭 but I agree with you also your right the only full black movie last thing I remember was on Disney where we really see darker black ppl shine for once was in let it shine. One the best Disney channel movies of all time imo. + In let it shine they didn't look like Zendaya like a lighter skinned black woman. But still I liked kc undercover but I agree kc undercover needed better representation especially for dark skinned black ppl. + I see the comments some ppl didn't even know she was black for their reasons tbh for me I was always a big Zendaya fan ik she was biracial but I'm aware not everyone knew that and ppl overall just needed a show on Disney channel where a dark skinned black woman was actually lead on a Disney show not just a Disney movie. I get what your saying 100 percent loved the video. Thx for speaking on this topic

[@kenrickbautista6141]

I didn't watch 'K.C. Undercover' either. I love Zendaya; been a fan since the 'Shake It Up' days, but this show didn't grab my attention. Also, absolutely nothing against the spy genre, but as a writer, I don't know how to make a spy show.

[@k_n_c_y]

You mentioned how gen z and late millennial kids didn't have the black representation that early millennials and gen x did (A Different World, That's so Raven, Moesha, The Proud Family, Kenan and Kel, One on One, etc), and it's an interesting topic to unpack. Not many people know this, but there was actually a TV writer strike in the mid to late 2000's that resulted in a purge of TV writers (a total 12,000 film and television writers quit!). My theory is that when executives began the re-hiring process, only certain people were chosen (mostly excluding POCs). I believe the writers' strike + the change of management in children's programs resulted in children's media being more targeted towards an inclusively white demographic. It was almost as if the industry quietly went backward in terms of POC representation. There are actually articles you can find online that provide tangible proof of shows going through "creative changes" due to the writers' strike. Interesting yet depressing for gen z POCs but at least now we're aware enough to call shit out and push diversity for the next generation.

[@hadbetterdays8118]

One thing that irked me the wrong way was how Judy was potrayed as a sassy dark skin troublesome bad attitude little girl which made it clear that they were trying to make her not be likable

[@chinolum8582]

Colorism is such a huge topic that we need to discuss. I think that Disney should have episodes discussing colorism in their TV shows to educate younger kids. KC undercover is one of my favorite show's and the first Disney show that focus on a black family. So Disney and other networks should be discuss colorism in their shows. Also I love your videos!❤❤❤

[@crystalcosmicreads]

During this video, I thought of the colorism of the Marvel casting. I'm Afro-Latina (biracial) and light/brown skin so when America Chavez was casted, I was SOOO upset. I watched the Doctor Strange movie and loved it but when I realized what America looked like in the comics I was very disappointed. She's supposed to be Black and Puerto Rican like me but instead gave her role to a lighter-skin Mexican female. It's still as big of a problem as ever ;"(

[@FanGurl4TY]

Something I noticed is that for main characters there is usually never a black woman and a mixed woman (black and white mixed) seen. Like if they cast mixed woman they can't cast a fully black woman because the mixed woman is "the black one". Colorism and tokenism.

[@jbess_the.ningen2685]

I never realized that much about KC undercover. Like whenever it was on, it was normally just like background noise. Maybe I should give it a look now that I know all of this.

[@Person-pf6nx]

Imo I feel as though Zendaya did the best she could and your idea of having someone else play KC is flawed bc this entire show was Zendayas in the first place. Disney wanted HER and as a young blk child I did see Zendaya as a black girl yes it would’ve been great to see more darkskin blk women on the show and that’s a big flaw but the character Judy was really loving and fleshed out so she wasn’t just a robot..

[@Person-pf6nx]

And yes I completely agree with the colorism in the show

[@thepokepoet9482]

I enjoy your videos so much! They're so eye opening and I even share them to educate my friends along with Bowties and Books, whom I highly recommend!!!

[@natnuss98]

I'm a new subscriber and I'm looking forward to seeing your videos!

[@harriyanna]

thank you so much!

[@chinolum8582]

Same here lol😍😍

[@sundaylovesyoutoo7469]

Bro I remember watching the Bratz movie and during the cheer scene with Sasha she was flipping a stuff and the stunt double was a white woman

[@ashley9786]

They love to say that Hillary Duff paved the way for all Disney stars if Hillary Duff was black they wouldn't hired her for that role

[@addygrubb9021]

You are doing so much by bringing up the issue of diversity in stunt work, I had no idea white stunt performers were taking jobs doubling for black and POC actors/actresses (though I am sadly not surprised to make this discovery)

[@jazzminewalker9628]

So Harriyana, do you believe that she was even able to have this conversation at the table because of her biracial background? Like if your Keke Palmer's and Raven Symone's were to bring this up it would not even be a conversation.

[@JulianSteve]

Sadly, I do think it had to do with Zendaya being biracial to have this conversation during the creation of the show. Some people are not comfortable with admitting this… P.S. - I am a fan of Zendaya’s, but let’s not play dumb. Mixed with Black (biracial) people to extent have privileges in comparison to monoracial Black people💯

[@blj1523]

THIS 💯💯💯

[@lewa3910]

Great video, disney and other channels really need to do better in casting and writing darker black characters and women

[@bunnychu15]

I have no issues with Zendaya as an actress. She does a good job with the roles she's given and provides good representation. However, I agree that she stuck out like a sore thumb in the rest of the family due to being biracial. That could have easily been fixed by having Zendaya play the best friend character you suggested and having another young black actress play the lead (again, as you suggested). Either that, or have the family be biracial like Zendaya. Disney could have had the dad be black, the mom be white, and the kids be biracial as well. Either way would have fixed the problem.

[@snicole2811]

Thank you for educating me! I’m not poc and I realize that I’m privileged to not experience the lack of proper representation in media, especially as a child. Genuine question, would this also apply to euphoria? We do know that Zendayas character Rue is biracial but Gia her sister has their mother Leslie’s features and the father is absent, so Rue is still being portrayed as more light skinned than her family. I’m genuinely curious what other peoples thoughts are on this because of Rue being a canonically biracial character.

[@kravond]

I can’t fight but please keep the intro!

[@hezeriahquinary-halliwell8635]

Imo, (and this is speculative) I think Zendaya had to Star as the Main Character. If she didn't, then the show might not have happen in the first place. I'm sure if she could've had a monoracial and or non ambiguous girl play the main role, I'm sure she would've. That could be me having too much faith in her Character, but I think Zendaya has shown a great deal of knowledge about her disadvantages as a Black Woman, and her Privileges as not only a Biracially Half white woman, but an ambiguous one at that. But I think the Disney people were probably like "we'll let it be Black, but you need to be in it for the general audience " basically they want a "Black Enough" person as their star. I dont think Zendaya likes that at all but she also knows her Privilege is stills making way for a black show, so she choose the lesser of two evils. Also imo I've always seen Zendaya as Black, I think that's because when I saw her on shake it up I felt a kinship (that sounds corny but I cant explain it better 😅) but I do get that for what was supposed to be carrying so much Black representation, she dud stick out. I think for me it was the hair. No shame to her or anyone that wears wigs, or flattens their hair... but as a black person I feel like a big unanimous trait often held by all of us, biracial or not, is kinky or nappy hair, myself included... so it was a bit weird at times even if her mom was also biracial

[@noorykorky5056]

I just wanted to say this: I'm sorry, but even though I loved KC Undercover, I did not like the fact that they made accountants out to be boring. Accountants and accounting alike could be very interesting, cool, and fun.

[@mostuffxd5038]

nah fr. i respect ur opinion. ngl ima die hard zendaya fan but it helps to have a serious conversation when it comes to accurate and fair black representation within media overall. i appreciate the show for what they tried to do but for the long hail they can afford to do better. we're too far within the post-blm and george floyd era for them to still be fucking up. so if there are critiques to be made, ESPECIALLY ones that highlights their actions and not random pettiness to drawline and divide amongst the community, it deserves to be heard. really appreciate your input, and i honestly agree with ur points 🌸🤟🏽 i reaaallly hope disney makes an effort to be better

[@bilbaomadrid5040]

Naw this is about as toxic as twitter

[@Neku628]

13:02 Isn't *The Famous Jet Jackson* kinda about a black spy though? Does it not count since the guy was just playing a spy on TV in that show's universe and was just really a celebrity.

[@jenn4593]

I think it was just so long ago.

[@youreagoddamngenius9099]

I thought her mom was biracial.

[@audreytheausllyologist502]

If we’re being honest, I absolutely hate KC Undercover and I don’t understand why anyone could possibly like it. KC is self-absorbed, condescending, mean, and thinks that being a spy gives her the right to act better than everyone else. I felt myself wanting to uppercut her more often than not. I also was absolutely disgusted and infuriated by the way the family treats Ernie (the only likable character in the show) and jokes about child abuse and bullying. Again, I fail to comprehend why people like KC Undercover. I would go so far as to say that KC Undercover is not only the worst sitcom on Disney Channel (yes, worse than Bizaardvark), but it’s also the worst sitcom I’ve ever seen in my entire life, besides How I met your Mother.

[@harriyanna]

hi, telling you this because i care and you to need to understand what im about to say. so many black girls and children loved kc undercover because that show was the only series at the time that had black people in it all the time. you have to be considerate about things like that. sometimes shows are bad, but black people will watch them because they want to see people like them on tv.

[@audreytheausllyologist502]

@@harriyanna I understand that, and I’m sorry. I’m glad that they could see positive things in KC Undercover that I was incapable of seeing. It had a diverse cast, it was just difficult to see past the jokes in the show or the way that the characters treated each other.

[@KnijMagz]

I'm surprised you didn't touch on the fact that the mother is Biracial herself. Its not like only Zendaya was the outlier. In terms of this supposed to be a "Black Family" the casting clearly didnt know anything about genetics. A Black dark skinned man gets with a light skinned Biracial woman to have a Biracial older daughter and 2 unambiguously darker skinned younger children? Its not just Zendaya but the casting if the mother as well.

[@harriyanna]

when i filmed this i had no idea until after i posted it when the comments told me

[@harriyanna]

yea, honestly after learning the mother was biracial too, it made it all WORSE

[@KnijMagz]

@@harriyanna Gotcha! Sorry if others said that already and I just restated it 🥲. I was listening to this while cleaning...so I stopped, commented, and then continued. Funny this is I auditioned to be on this show wayy back when before they even came up with the name KC Undercover. I was just told Zendaya was going to be on the show...So funny how it ended up.

[@PsychicMedium4747]

Just so you know…true black people are very dark skinned. Most AA are mixed race …not biracial but have white ancestry. Lupita and alec Wek are black non mixed women.