The Secret to Issa Rae's Glow Up?

Awkward Black Girl

I stumbled across this fabulous Awkward Black Girl while I was navigating undergrad trying my best not to skip too many classes with a dear friend of mine - we both found comfort in binge watching web-series produced by Black folks during our early case of senioritis while attending a predominantly white institution (PWI). Luckily, for us, Awkward Black Girl was at its peak of supply and demand developed by a Black woman for women of color accompanied with a diverse, relatable cast. It is important to note that my discovery of Awkward Black Girl came at a time when Black & Sexy TV (2011) was also beginning to develop dynamic web-series with relatable characters navigating kinship, friendships, romantic relationships and situationships.

Supporting Definition: These days, most people are fully aware of what a situationship entails. For those who are still uncertain (or rather lucky and/or responsible with their emotional health) - it refers to a prolonged involvement between two or more people usually accompanied by high levels of confusion, stress and attempts at holding on to toxic and/or triggering unbalanced relationship dynamics that are not fulfilling for both or all parties. Though, it is often the case that the party who is consciously not intentional about his or her relationship status may gain more short-term benefits by keeping a seemingly neutral position of "singlehood" that allows for one to engage guilt-free with various partners of interest.

Moving right along . . .

As I grew wrapped in Issa Rae's tangled back history with a co-worker, devouring Rae's hilarious depiction of fumbling around through awkward situations in the workplace, I remember saying to myself, "This girl is going to make it." To me, at the time, "making it" meant living MY dream of developing narratives for the big screen! In fact, I have called stardom (or rather living in one's purpose) about a number of people I've stumbled across -- From a vast range of artistic expressions be it film, music or within academic spaces. From those difficult adolescent days when my siblings and I watched Tyler Perry's heavily criticized plays (that I criticized a time or two before he humbled me with his 2019 BET Awards speech and grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios) to Rihanna (when my high school boyfriend said she would never make it past her Unfaitful record in 2006), Ari Lennox (back when I used to rewatch her clever rendition of Lauryn Hill's Ex Factor in 2013 and would force anyone near me to watch it with) and Cardi B when I watched her honest debate about the importance of a mutual exchange of resources and energy within relationships (as she introduced Peter Gunz to himself in such a raw manner, I knew instantly that someone with such raw honesty would take the world by storm within whatever platform she decided to occupy).

Before, during and after YouTube as her initial home to capture her audience, Issa Rae was an instant hit.

And, here's 7 reasons why . . .

1.CONSTRUCTIVE PROCRASTINATION

Is this even a thing? Can procrastination be constructive? Well, if you use the precious time you are expected to use for school-related or work-related assignments on other fruitful activities, than I would argue that constructive procrastination is in fact possible! For creatives, opting to use free time (or any time) on developing and completing projects, content and other genius intellectual property is a dream come true! In various early interviews when discussing Awkward Black Girl, Issa Rae admits to developing concepts during a time in which she was attending college and needed an excuse as to what she was doing with her time. While delivered in charming humor, Issa truly points to the importance of embracing constructive procrastination. In a capitalistic society, we are all consumed with making a living in the ways we know how. Often times this means that we spend most of our day working toward desired outcomes for industries and organizations that consume (and sometimes depletes) our time, energy and creativity. In our pursuit of happiness, it is equally important that we also prioritize and use our own talents/gifts for ourselves and for the communities in which we represent! Meaning, we must give ourselves permission to find or develop a platform that allows for us to blossom in the ways we were destined!

2. POSITIONALITY

Positionality is defined as "a stance or positioning of the researcher in relation to the social and political context of a study - the community, the organization or the participant group" (Coghlan and Brydon-Miller, 2014). Issa has mentioned in various interviews that she embodied the phrase: "I'm awkward and Black." In fact, she proudly attributed her lovable awkwardness to her mother when presented with an award. Fully aware of her positionality, Issa is able to stand firm in what kind of narratives she decides to capture on the big screen, aware that it is representative of herself and others (depicted in relatable human experiences). With influences across industries, while also considering a vast audience, knowing and owning your POSITIONALITY allows for you to know how (and possibly when) to situate yourself in relation to the work you set out to accomplish. This awareness can also allow you to become aware of your blind spots and strengths.

3. AUTHENTICITY

Authenticity occurs when one is aware of who they are (or want to grow into) and how to navigate spaces living within that truth. It is that simple. Issa is a great example of using a platform(s) to showcase one's personality, voice and temperament. Luckily for her, she has grown into being unapologetically herself. I would speculate that having a sense of supportive community (i.e. family, friends and others) has influenced this level of confident authenticity. If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Placing such a cliché question here speaks to the act of verification. An intended audience often detects authenticity through the modes of communication. In isolation, we can feel pretty authentically ourselves right down to picking our nose a minute too long when we are alone. It is the moments when we are engaging an individual or others that a natural exchange happens. It is a balance between self-awareness and genuine (responsible) openness with others that builds shared trust. There is so much more to be said here. Ultimately, authenticity relies first upon the relationship that we foster with ourselves, and (as equally important) with others.

4. HUMOR

Rooting for everybody Black! As mentioned above, Issa is unapologetically herself! Fortunately, she has charm that is influenced by a refreshingly raw sense of humor! Her humor complements her positionality and authenticity. Those who can relate with her sentiments and modes of communication can find themselves intrigued by her and her work. Humor along with an understanding of one's positionality and authenticity could be the "it" factor that has propelled many into being known by the masses or simply recognized for what one does. Humor is part of the three rhetorical appeals (pathos). It captures an intended audience (this can be family, friends or strangers in an auditorium) to join whomever for a joyful ride. In moments of discomfort (or invasive interviewers asking her about her relational status when obviously instructed not to inquire about such questions), Issa always keeps her cool and is equipped with honest wit that allows her to navigate any awkward or tension-charged spaces. In the example of an invasive interview, Issa establishes her boundaries and right to privacy while still maintaining her charming wit that makes her feel relatable and open. In other words, lighten up! Take life seriously, but have some fun while living it!

5. DIGNITY

I will try to keep the final three reasons down to a shorter read as they are pretty self-explanatory (and because it's 5:28 AM in the morning). Let's start here: from what we know and from what has been discussed in various interviews, Issa did not compromise her intellectual property for short-term gains. She held on to her positionality and found the spaces and platforms that provided her opportunities to maximize her growth. While it may seem like a gamble of luck, everyone can benefit from such commitments to our gifts and ideas. Why should we compromise our dignity for short-term gains? Dignity is intricately connected to the fulfillment of our human spirit. It establishes safe boundaries that can sustain mutual respect for ourselves, our work and others.

6. PASSION

With true passion comes a fearlessness and will to go after what we want. Passion leads us to ask: How do I get there? In answering this question (or those of the likes), we make things happen so that we can get as close as possible to what we want. Some of us, like Issa, make it there or exceed what we intended to accomplish. If you are a believer in divine gifts and God's sense of humor, you will surely be one of many smiling when passion meets time.

7. TIME

Time is one of the most precious resources that we often give freely. Why not give it to ourselves to invest in, pursue and/or experience the things we truly desire? As a true fan, I admire the time that Representative Maxine Waters reclaimed and the time Issa Rae placed in developing a fun, hilarious web-series during a time when she was enrolled in Stanford University and expected to be engulfed in academia. Simply put, we have a right to our time.

The arts is life's charm.

References

BLACK&SEXY.TV. (9 October 2009). Roomie Lover Friends. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/user/blackandsexytv

BETNetworks. (24 June 2019). Tyler Perry Gives Powerful Speech of Motivation as He Accepts Ultimate Icon Award | BET Awards 2019. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVjjSxpqbOo

BlkGrlOnline. (6 June 2020). Is Cardi B. Telling the Truth? YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urwCTarA0EA

Coghlan, D. and Brydon-Miller, M. (2014). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Action Research. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781446294406.n277

Essence. (6 March 2017). Issa Rae's Perfectly Awkward and Hilarious Speech is All of Us | ESSENCE. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIkWRup2MjM

iamOTHER. (10 September 2012). Awkward Black Girl - The Stop Sign (S. 1, Ep. 1). YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mia51fMAGJw&list=PL019D7AE1C3429770

Issa Rae Presents. (19 October 2006). HOORAE. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/issarae/featured

Lennox, A. (23 October 2013). X Factor - Lauryn Hill. YouTube. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGcFOZo5-Z4

Talks at Google. (21 December 2011). The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl | Issa Rae | Talks at Google. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bynfUels8Zo

Variety. (19 September 2017). Issa Rae - "I'm rooting for everybody Black" - Full Emmy's Red Carpet Interview. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WafoKj6MzcU