I heard about the controversy surrounding GIRLS before I actually heard about GIRLS.
The minute after the show made its première in April, there was a swirl of controversy about the lack of diversity around the lives of Hannah, Marnie, Jessa and Shoshanna, the four young — very white — 20 somethings whose stories are told on GIRLS.
I read some of the show’s criticism and some of the show’s counter criticism, and I was immediately turned off by GIRLS, before even giving the show a fair shake (an attitude that can dangerous.)
That was in April.
Now, nine months later, we are just two days away from the season two première (it comes on Sunday, 10 PM EST on HBO) and I literally cannot wait. Like, seriously. I have a Sunday of football, more football and then GIRLS planned, and I’m pumped — and still very much a MAN, DAMMIT.
So what happened? Point bank: I ended up watching it, mostly by mistake. (I’m pretty sure an episode came on after an Andre Berto fight, or something.)
I instantly found GIRLS enjoyable, and I had a marathon session over a three-day span.
I’m in an interesting spot here. I’m the only person who I know who looks and acts like me — dark, breathtakingly handsome, with a touch of street cred — who enjoys the show.
I realized this a couple of weeks ago when I dropped a GIRLS reference in my local barbershop. This was followed by silence, some perspiration by yours truly and some “dawg, what are you talking about” stares.
That experience is why I’m writing this blog today: dudes, if you’ve been close-minded towards the show before, cut it out and give it a chance.
Now, a couple of things: The show is VERY white. Something that I thought would bother me more than it actually did. GIRLS tells the story of a white hipster generation — content I’m sure Lena Dunham, the show’s creator and breakout star, and her writers know well.
You know what white, young hipsters don’t know well? Diversity. (Face it: white folks in Williamsburg have as much experience with diversity as much as black folks in East New York Brooklyn.)
So why lie about it? Why try to create something that’s less authentic?
When the diversely charges hit, the show’s creator and breakout star, Lena Dunham, said it will be something that is “addressed.”
Those claims seem to have been addressed early in season two. Donald Glover (also known as Childish Gambino) will have a major role in the first set of episodes in season two.
Even though the show has a lack of color, there still is something very relatable in how these young confused people look at love and sex. I have spoken to numerous black and Latina women who have found themselves relating to the struggles Hannah goes through, even though they have never been cut off by their parents — only because they’ve never been cut on.
As for us, fellas, I think you could pick up some game watching, like how to not act like a sissy (like Marnie’s pansy-ass boyfriend, Charlie) or what it feels like to see a relationship transition from sex into an actual “thing” (something Hannah and Adam went through).
And, dudes, honestly, it’s just a funny show. The writing is sharp and the comedy is often raunchy, from Hannah’s awkward nudity to the overall foulness of Adam.
Show is dope, brahs, keep sleeping if you want.
I know when Sunday comes I won’t be sleeping: I’ll be on the coach eating some wings, drinking and laughing.
Watch the Season Two premiere this Sunday, then send me a tweet Milkman__Dead
