Yep, She was Black & Nerdy & Awkward. And You Loved Watching Her!

The other day, a bud of mine called while he was watching Family Matters. He couldn't believe how easily Laura adapted to Steve Urkel's world, once she started dating him. I told him it was easy because Laura was a nerd or at least had nerdy qualities. Steve recognized it hidden in her beauty. He asked me to explain.

• Laura Winslow was a straight-A student, even in college.
• Steve was not just a schoolmate. Laura & he were in the same classes.
• Steve & Laura were in many classes with upperclassmen.
• In the episode, "The Way the Ball Bounces" a very tired Laura sneaks to the library to study for the PSAT.
  

Laura Winslow is not the first & only unseen & unspoken nerdy or awkward black female character in TV & Movie history. Pop Culture only likes to recognize a handful of black "uncool" characters.

What happened to Earnest?

He was cute

Most of those are male except for Winfred "Freddy" Brooks in Different World being mentioned sometimes. TV & Movies is chalked full of black ladies being nerdy & awkward. Let me run down my favorites.

Terry (Jumpin' Jack Flash) In the late 1980s, Terry was a foul mouth, 30-something-year-old, cracking code keys.

She had more online friendships than in offline land. And Jack & she were in an online romantic rapport. The ending makes us think it progressed past the computer but its origins were online. She was very stereotypical nerdy if you asked me. Oh wait, she used profane language. Only cool people do that.

Joan Clayton (Girlfriends) If it could go wonky, it did. It wasn't even hidden by her big sister-like manner. Joan was a lady full of facts & rules that she lived by. Joan was also very well-read and studied intensely studied what she read. When she joined her superior, Sharon in a book discussion that included Jackie Collins & BeBe Moore Campbell, she tried to argue about seeing allegory in the book. She loses with the ladies because she didn't read the whole book, but she knew she was right. And for people that need ideas for cosplay, I bet Joan(and some of her friends) could've helped your costume ideas be the best they could be. Joan's costume game was superb.

Evangeline Eva Dandridge (Deliver Us From Eva) Most people see the mean, pretty chick that just needs some d---. 

The biggest complaint about Eva was she was full of facts, that she loved to issue. She was a know-it-all. Eva also had a stereotypical nerd job. She was a food inspector. Food inspectors (aka on my dream job list) are full of food-related science facts & stats. She even only dines at certain restaurants. Does a popular TV nerd come to mind when you think of this behavior? And do you remember her shoe storage? Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory would hug her. But that wasn't the storyline that was presented. She just needed a man.

Taylor Mckessie (High School Musical) The only thing I like about this movie franchise is the smartest student in the school is a black girl.

She was the lead character's best friend but her story was still very important. She was the head of the Chemistry Club and became the Valedictorian in the end. Stereotypical things are reserved for nerdy characters. Monique Coleman, the actress who played her & I were proud of that role.

Mona Thorne (Half & Half) Mona was so awkward, I waited for Freddy Brooks to make an appearance as her cool cousin. Mona owned her awkwardness. She openly talked about being a fan of cartoons, indie bands, and wedged boots. She didn't always like being uncool but it was a lane she knew. There was an episode where a guy felt she was "not black enough" so she tried to "blacken up" and in the end, she was comfortable being her rhythmless self. Her awkwardness leads her to learn all about herself. And isn't that what life is about?

I tell people in offline land all the time "Beware talking nerdy to me" all the time. I see nerdy & awkwardness (and churchy) in people all the time. I guess I have a radar. I don't talk about it because the stereotype of being nerdy & awkward is uncool. "Cool" people have "uncool" qualities too. Millennials are breaking from the stereotype but most people I interact with are non-millennials. Many non-millennial-age people have yet to recognize and/or embrace those qualities in them.  Some are embracing it, and some are. But I see it, trust me I see it.

Those are some of my favorites. The list could go on and on. Kimberly Reese comes to mind. Heck, being smart was most of her storyline. Who are the unsung nerdy & awkward people you enjoy(ed) watching? Let me know in the comments.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms