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“B.L.O.W.”
Season 2, Episode 16
2/08/2007
Unlike most sitcoms, My Name is Earl had a high concept which centered on this low-life dude who wins the lottery, but then immediately gets hit by a car. Having learned what karma is, Earl creates a long list of all the people he’s ever wronged and plans to use his money to right those wrongs. In this episode he helps a woman become a Black Lady of Wrestling and also have a baby.
Comedian Sean Smith, with the help of Pixel Brain Productions, presents the three main black archetypes in pro wrestling: the black savage, the happy black wrestler, and the angry black wrestler. I thought I did an okay job showcasing the ten most stereotypically black wrestling characters back in February, but Sean Smith does a way better job here. Especially with the nuances of each character. And even though it’s hilarious, it further compartmentalizes these stereotypes into three smaller groups. My heart goes out to you and your incessant dancing, Kofi B. Koko Funk Doctor.
Even after a year rife with bad press regarding their racial politics and lack of a black world champion, the WWE has decided to make good through their WWE Network by honoring Black History Month. Only problem is, it’s a pretty half-assed job. As someone that’s not familiar with the PYT Express I was hoping for something more than some random promo of them at an airport where you can barely make out what’s being said, or what the damn point is. And I appreciate the callback to Booker T.’s Ebony Experience days, but I could’ve come up with at least 50 other videos showcasing Booker T.’s accomplishments. And then there’s the backstage bit involving Cryme Tyme, probably the least offensive one that exists of them. Which bring me to this list. While WWE likes to pat themselves on the back for how far along they think they’ve come in portraying African-American wrestling characters, I’d like to provide 10 reminders of how far they set them back as well.
Continue reading “Stereotypically Black Wrestling Characters”
Not long ago I caught an episode of Legends of Wrestling on YouTube, titled the “Soul of Wrestling”, which was their way of saying black wrestlers. It’s funny, I get that the word “soul” has a close connection with the black community, but it kind of felt like when people use “urban” when they really want to say is black. It’s these terms that people like to use in hopes of being politically correct, but really failing miserably at it. Black president or not, race will always will be a sensitive matter… within the real world that is. However, within the confines of pro grappling little progress has been made in terms of African-American portrayal.
Enter the wrestling pimp.
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