Danielle Solzman
One of the most notable problems that comes with the series premiere of #BlackAF is that the series has a major Jewish problem.
The problem with the series premiere comes late in the episode–just around the 7:38 mark. It’s when Kenya and Joya Barris (Kenya Barris and Rashida Jones) are having a conversation with Kenya’s assistant, Danny (Gil Ozeri). At first, the conversation deals with sweatsuits and then it evolves Kenya pointing out to his assistant that his clothing is”fresh off the boat, New Balance-wearing…white gaze.”
Danny makes the comment that “technically, Jews are not white” after Kenya points out that the “white gaze” comment. Kenya immediately retorts “You are as white as fuck. If some shit went down, you’re white.” Danny comments back that there are ports in Belgium that he can’t go to.
Can we please stop with the Jews are white nonsense? Please?!? Let me tell you something. If Jews are white, how come I can’t go to the antisemitic country club that’s directly across from the JCC where I grew up? But that’s beside the point, the point of view from Kenya Barris’ fictionalized character erases the fact that there are Jews of Color. Trust me–I have cousins that fall under this category. I have friends who are Jews of Color. I’ve also interviewed filmmakers that are Jews of Color. For the love of everything holy, can we please stop erasing Jews of Color. It’s not right when anybody does this–and yes, this also includes the fringe anti-Zionist Jewish organizations in existence.
If they had gone with the argument that a majority of Jews benefit from privilege due to white-passing or white-presenting, this wouldn’t be a major problem. But because they went with the Jews are white point of view, it’s a problem. In doing so, Jews of Color get erased and that’s not fine at all.
What makes this commentary even more upsetting is that Rashida Jones is a series regular and her own mother, Peggy Lipton, was Jewish. I should disclaim right now that both Lipton and Jones are distant cousins of mine according to a family genealogist.
Maybe #BlackAF is a good show but I don’t know and since they decided to ignore the existence of Jews of Color, I won’t continue watching.
