Issa Rae Believes Black Women Are Burdened By Media Portrayals That Create Unrealistic Expectations

Issa Rae believes that some of the unrealistic portrayals of black people in the media today is to compensate for decades of negative coverage.

The Insecure creator shared her thoughts at a recent panel discussion at the Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity alongside Allure magazine editor Michelle Lee, CoverGirl senior VP Ukonwa Ojo, and Droga5 director Katy Alonzo.

 “The positive portrayals over the last ten years are overcompensating for the negative portrayals,” she said.

“For black women, I tend to find it harmful that we have all the burden on our shoulders, to uphold this specific image,” she said, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “You see them as the strong, flawless, fierce type of woman. And even on a great day, I’m never those things.”

She even referenced the recently released Beyonce and Jay-Z album, “Everything is Love,” to drive home her point.

“Even hearing that Jay-Z verse being thankful to Beyonce and all of the black women in his life for putting up with his bullshit,” she said. “And that’s kind of what black women are currently…they’re going to be there when you need them.

“And that’s absolutely not the case, for sure with anyone I know.”