#token indian

Since I have yet to talk about this common "trait" in television and movies, I thought I'd take the time to write about it now. While shows like "New Girl" and "Family Guy" are showing diversity by incorporating a black male in the friend group, a common theme is having only one black male in the troupe.

The token black guy.

(New Girl)

This "trait" has become more popular and noticeable during the 21st Century with movies like "She's All That".

(Grown Ups)

The movie "Grown Ups" has classic comedians Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, and Rob Schnieder as men that grew up together reuniting and growing with their families. What's funny is this movie comments on how society is now becoming diverse through one black male on television shows and movies, even though "Grown Ups" only incorporates one black male (Chris Rock) in their movie.

In a scene where the grown ups (comedians) are playing a game of basketball against another group of grown ups that also have a token black guy, Chris Rock comments on how the token black guy can't really hang out with their group as his group already has a token black guy.

While this is somewhat comical, I think there actually is some truth to the meaning. Though it's becoming more common for mixed race television shows and movies, lately television shows and movies will only incorporate a token black male or token Indian woman to show diversity.

(Mindy Project)

I find this is becoming a terrible habit, as visually whatever this black male or Indian woman says are their beliefs or are comic traits in their character's persona, many viewers will full on believe this to be true. In claiming that the token black male is christian and says all his "brethren" are christian, instantly the audience believes he is speaking for all black males. Thus false stereotypes begin easily.