The Creator Of “Riverdale” Agrees That The Show Can Do More For Black Representation
A few days ago, Vanessa Morgan, of The CW series Riverdale, dragged her own show because of its treatment of Black characters. She exposed how she was paid the least of the series regulars and complained about how bad the Black characters were on the show. Well, Riverdale responded and it’s hard to defend the social-depth of a show where a white teenager is sent to jail and it’s portrayed as a slightly-gruff, homoerotic bootcamp. (It’s like 60 Days In but at Abercrombie & Fitch.) The creator hears Vanessa and agrees.
People says that series creator, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, addressed Vanessa’s criticism in a post on Instagram. Roberto agreed they needed to do a lot more in terms of representation and black-story-telling. Oh, there is ample room for improvement. The show can’t even keep Skeet Ulrich awake! In Roberto’s post, he references speaking with Vanessa personally and said he promised to do better. He said he and the other writers had made a donation to Black Lives Matter and that they were committed to making the show “a part of the movement.”
Riverdale is a whole fucking disaster, and do you know how I know that? I watched every season of Pretty Little Liars–as well as the spin-off The Perfectionists–and even I think that Riverdale is ridiculous. A teenager in a beany is allowed into a deadly biker gang? But I can’t wait for the changes next season, like when Vanessa’s Toni Topaz makes her white girlfriend, Cheryl Blossom, join the Riverdale version of the Black Panthers and they get wrapped up in a plot to assassinate the mayor. You’re welcome Riverdale! I’m available for more racially-diverse/highly-convoluted plots when you’re ready.
Pic: The CW