Black Lightning’s historic surge onto the small screen has electrified fans and critics alike. The show’s debut earned The CW’s biggest rating premiere in two years, and critics gave the series a 100% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show benefits from the success of The CW’s other DC comics-based series. However, Black Lightning is far from your typical superhero show, and we aren’t talking about its exclusion from the Arrowverse. Here’s why Black Lightning is so groundbreaking.
It Features a Powerful African-American Male Role Model
Unlike other superhero shows, superpowers in Black Lightning take a backseat to the show’s protagonist, Jefferson Pierce. It might seem strange, but Pierce’s influence as an African-American father and principal is just as important as his vigilantism. The show, through Pierce’s experiences, explores what it means to be an African American man in America. The result: a man who, despite the challenges he faces, remains dedicated to protecting his family and community.
In fact, it is his love for his daughters that compels him to once again take on the mantle of Black Lightning. Sadly, this side of black fatherhood is rarely portrayed in the media. Instead, we see images of African-American fathers who are absent from their children’s lives either by choice or incarceration. Black Lightning‘s inspired depiction of black fatherhood, where we see that Pierce is not only present but willing to risk his life to protect his children, seeks to rewrite this tired narrative. It also makes Pierce a powerful role model for African-American children. He exists outside of the thug and drug dealer archetypes glorified on a daily basis. Instead, he is a father, principal, superhero, and mentor who, most importantly, looks like and inspires them.
It Dares to Address Relevant Social Issues
The social issues Black Lightning addresses also differentiates it from other superhero shows. It highlights issues such as gang violence, profiling, police brutality, and sex trafficking and how they impact its fictional communities.
In the comics, Black Lightning began as a street-level hero. Instead of fighting against aliens and supervillains, Black Lightning fought against the gangs, crooked corporations, and corrupt politicians tied to the social injustice in his community. His call to action as a superhero was a direct response to the real-life struggles faced by his fellow citizens. The television series stays true to the comics by having its heroes face the same real-world challenges that affect the black community.
Black Lightning’s existence outside of the Arrowverse provides a unique opportunity for Co-Executive Producers Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil to create their own world. A world that doesn’t need to conform to the pre-defined mold of existing DC TV shows. The Akils are free to create a world that is an authentic representation of the African- American experience. Black Lightning isn’t trying to hit a diversity quota. It seeks to embrace the experiences, culture, and social issues affecting these diverse communities.
It Gives a Voice to Often Underrepresented Groups
By embracing inclusion and representation as a central theme, Black Lightning breaks from the direction of other superhero shows. Instead of focusing on the adventures of straight, white male characters, Black Lightning tells stories from the perspectives of black, white, female, LGBTQ, and Asian-American characters. In Freeland, the city the show’s set in, the voices of the black community are obviously elevated. After all, the town is meant to be reminiscent of black neighborhoods in places like Oakland and Chicago.
However, Black Lightning doesn’t just serve as a voice for the black community. In keeping with its comic book roots, the show also provides a platform for the LGBTQ community. For instance, Anissa, aka Thunder, is an openly gay character and TV’s first black, female, LGBTQ superhero. The show embraces her sexuality as a key part of the character. Later, the show will also introduce Grace Choi as her love interest and the one who will help her cope with her emerging superpowers. Choi, as an Asian-American superhero, provides a voice for yet another neglected community. By spotlighting these unique groups and the problems they face, Black Lightning gets us talking about how to resolve these issues.
It Represents the Change We Need in Media Representation
Black Lightning’s relevance in today’s world cannot be understated. It inspires a sense of pride and excitement in neglected communities. It gives African-American kids a hero to embrace on television who looks like them. As well, it raises awareness and inspires conversations around tough issues such as race, gender, and sexuality. Black Lightning and shows like it prove that works representative and inclusive of all types of people can find an audience, and that’s groundbreaking.
