Which 'Dear White People' Character Are You?
Summer is coming to an end, and it's officially time to start the fall activities. And with the start of a new season comes new movies and shows. One, in particular, is the final season of Netflix's Dear White People, airing September 22. A great thing about this show is that it sparks healthy conversation. Past seasons have explored topics like double consciousness, sexuality, and the Me Too Movement, but it's done it in a way that still allows the show to feel relatable and fun.
However, in my opinion, one of the best things about it is the characters. They are complex, OK? Just when you think you've kind of figured them out, it's like no, there's another layer. My friends and I have this weird habit of connecting ourselves with characters from different shows. You know what I mean, "I'm Joan Clayton mixed with a little bit of Lynn (Girlfriends)," or "I'm Issa with Molly tendencies (Insecure)." But, with this show, I still haven't quite figured it out. Check out the snapshot of the characters below to see which ones you connect most with.
And don't forget to check out the final season of Dear White People on Netflix (September 22), because we all could use a good TV binge.
Samantha White (played by Logan Browning)
Samantha White is such a Renaissance woman. She's dynamic, fueled by her beliefs and passion, and loves hard. As a biracial person who is also pro-Black, she struggles sometimes navigating between two identities and a question looms of whether or not her activism and wokeness are rooted in overcompensation. But is it? Because her morals and values are such an important part of who she is, it can sometimes lead to conflict in her personal life.
Reggie Green (played by Marque Richardson)
Reggie is a good guy and a fervid activist. He also has a sometimes-y will they or won't they love thing with both Samantha and Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins' character, Joelle. He's trying to do right and move past the trauma and hurt that he faced in earlier seasons (no spoilers). But in doing that, he sometimes loses his way which causes him to be disconnected from others.
Joelle (played by Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins)
First of all, honorable mention about actress Ashley Blaine's wedding photos. They're absolutely beautiful. But, back to Joelle. Her character has a complicated relationship with best friend Samantha, tells it like it is, she's kind-hearted, zealous, and is always there for everyone, but sometimes it's to a fault.
Lionel Higgins (played by DeRon Horton)
Lionel Higgins was a somewhat shy and insecure guy who is growing into himself, especially when it comes to owning his sexuality. Although he still loves writing and being the comedic relief, he's become a much more confident man who yearns to make a difference.
Colandrea “Coco” Conners (played by Antoinette Robertson)
Coco is ambitious, stylish, and a bit of a mean girl. However, she started as someone who was desperate to fit in with her white counterparts, and has grown into a woman determined to create her own path.
Gabe Mitchell (played by John Patrick Amedori)
Gabe cares a lot. Like literally about his relationship with Samantha, the causes he cares about, and his work. It's a good quality but sometimes it can cause him to seem pretty stressed and even oblivious to bigger issues.
Troy Fairbanks (played by Brandon P. Bell)
Now, while this actor has remained fine, the character has changed dramatically. Troy started as a basically a rich playboy. But, he's now someone who is finding his own voice and discovering more about himself and his peers.
The 90s musical-inspired final season of Dear White People is now streaming on Netflix.
Dear White People: Vol. 4 | Official Trailer | Netflix
Featured image courtesy of Netflix
Kirby Carroll grew up in VA but now calls Atlanta, GA home. She has a passion for creating content and helping brands grow through storytelling and public relations. When not immersed in work, you can find her sipping a mimosa at brunch or bingeing a new TV drama on Netflix. Keep up with her on social media at @askKirbyCarroll.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy