Tokenism and Trauma: How Today’s Television Revisits the Past

The landscape of today’s television is filled with adaptations that delve into the complexities of the past. Shows like HBO’s Watchmen (2019) and Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere (2020) are not mere remakes; they are poignant reflections on historical racial injustices and their lingering impact on contemporary society. These series explore themes of trauma, tokenism, and the ongoing struggle for racial reconciliation. By revisiting historical events, today’s television prompts viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and engage in critical dialogue about race and equality.

Modern Adaptations, Timeless Issues

Watchmen boldly confronts the past with its graphic portrayal of the 1921 Tulsa Greenwood Massacre, laying bare the brutality of racial violence. Little Fires Everywhere, while set in the seemingly idyllic suburbs of 1990s Ohio, subtly exposes the insidious nature of tokenism through the experiences of its Black protagonist, Pearl Warren. Pearl’s journey mirrors elements of Zora Neale Hurston’s short story “Drenched in Light” (1924), highlighting the enduring legacy of tokenism in American society and media. Both narratives underscore how individuals can be reduced to symbols, their unique identities overshadowed by racial stereotypes.

“Drenched in Light”: A Precursor to Today’s Television

In Hurston’s story, young Isis Watts, yearning for escape from her mundane life, is drawn into the orbit of Helen, a white woman who sees Isis as a symbol of racial acceptance. Helen’s desire to “soak in” Isis’s “sunshine” reveals a fetishized view of Blackness, reducing Isis to a commodity rather than an individual. This exploitative dynamic resonates with Pearl’s experiences in Little Fires Everywhere.

Tokenism in “Little Fires Everywhere”: A Modern Echo

The Hulu adaptation of Celeste Ng’s novel significantly alters the source material by explicitly making Pearl and her mother Black. This change amplifies the power dynamics at play, highlighting how Lexie Richardson, a white teenager, exploits Pearl’s Blackness for personal gain. Lexie steals Pearl’s college application essay and uses Pearl’s identity to conceal her own abortion, demonstrating a disregard for Pearl’s individuality and a reliance on harmful stereotypes.

The Perils of Performative Allyship

Lexie’s actions, like Helen’s in “Drenched in Light,” expose the dangers of performative allyship. Both characters use their association with Black individuals to project an image of progressiveness while perpetuating systemic inequalities. Their behavior reinforces the notion that Blackness is valued only when it serves the interests of the dominant culture.

Confronting the Past, Shaping the Future

Today’s television, through insightful adaptations like Watchmen and Little Fires Everywhere, forces viewers to confront the uncomfortable realities of the past and their continued relevance in the present. By exploring the complexities of race, tokenism, and trauma, these series spark crucial conversations about social justice and the ongoing fight for equality. The enduring power of Hurston’s “Drenched in Light” further emphasizes the cyclical nature of these issues, reminding us that the struggle for genuine inclusivity remains a work in progress. The narratives on today’s television screens serve as a potent call to action, urging viewers to move beyond superficial gestures of allyship and engage in meaningful efforts to dismantle systemic racism.