First it was RoomieLoverFriends now The Unwritten Rules has ended. I've known for a week or two.It still makes me sad. I really like that web series.
It is about Racey Jones and her journey in being the only black woman in her department at work. It is a hilarious view on an issue many black people face everyday. Each episode ends with a rules or lesson to be learned.
It is based on a great book (Yes, I read it) called "40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule: The Diary of a N***er, Negro, Colored, Black, African-American Woman" by Kim Williams. Aasha Davis stars a Racey. Racey's superior is Kathy. Kathy is racist. Not KKK racist but the kind that knows how to play the affirmative action ball as long as blacks are in their place.
Well, of course the blacks (Especially the new CEO, Kaneisha Jackson) don't stay in their place and Kathy can't take it.
Also to add to the white worry of Racey is Jessica & Lauren. The mean well but with their unawareness to their white privilege keeps Racey questioning their motives and friendship.
Oh white people are not the only headache causing people on the show for Racey. Craig & Derek, who understand the plight of Racey have different agendas they want met at work. Both take different paths in executing them. Both affect Racey. Racey's only allies in the show are her co-worker, Peter, Kaneisha's assistant, Annabelle and her boyfriend, Will.
Yeah, I watched the Series Finale during the lunch hour.
Racey was at a crossroads. Should she stay or should she go? I'm not going spoiled the ending but I will focus on one the scenes in the beginning of the episode. Racey asks Kaneisha how did she not lose her mind while being the only black woman to eventually becoming the CEO. Kaneisha told her how she did it in very creative way to me.
"It is all just a game. And you just have to grab the ball and force everyone to play with you"
That was powerful advice, in my opinion. And "the game" becomes a good point of thought for Racey in this episode. I'll give you a spoiler hint, "The field will change and Racey will make a decision, then". I loved the ending. It stopped on the right point and the last rule was perfect.
Gosh, I can Relate. For me it started...
I told y'all I lived an all black life until I got to middle school. Yet, it was not until I got into Lamar University's Nutrition & Dietetics classes did I experience life as the only black. It started Summer I. I am a career Code Switcher whose experience with race (Blacks were a different, too) at this school was already eye opening. But even that didn't prepare me for this experience. First, it was the name game. My biological name always gets butchered. I was used to it. I was prepared for it. I was not prepared for the relief I saw when I corrected the saying of my name. It was like they were prepared for me to have an attitude. Then the questions about how I got the name and the practicing to say it right. Yes, they broke it down into syllables. Secondly, some how became the expert for the eating habits and self image of black people. "So, do you think Black people feel that BMI & body shape charts are for White people only"? I'll never forget that day to save my life.
There I was a full hourglass, maybe an apple shaped black woman sitting among quite a few rectangles and inverted triangles wondering when my name became "All Black People". Third, when Fall began and all those black students I saw come in and out the building before that Summer I session returned. The first day of Fall classes I heard a few black students murmur in confusion about who I was and why did all the white people know me. I saw the writing on the wall quickly. Well, the instructor wanted us to pair off and that we would be partners for the semester. I ended up being partners with the newest new student to the department, a hispanic woman around my age. She was one of the best partner ever. Fourth was when I decided to help drum up some business for my buddy Dee and got my hair cornrowed. My classmate, Becky was so enamored with my hair. "These are extensions, right"? She was so disappointed when I took them down and put my hair back into a bun. Finally, Summer I of the next school year rolled around. I walked in and I saw this lone black lady's eyes light up when I walked in. She was new & was happy to see my black face. She clinged to me for few classes until she found her stride.
If you watched the show, some of these life experiences would remind you of the episodes,
Let's Talk About Hair
The Whack Girl (Which actually describe my feeling at LU as a whole)
Just A Group Of Us (When Craig gets there)
Guess Who's Coming to the Fundraiser.
My Favorite Episode:
The Merry Christmas episode is so funny. It starts when Racey is chosen to decorate her team's cubicle. Who does she bring?
She brings Leroy, the Black Santa!!! It gets the conversation about the ethnicities of Santa and Jesus.
Then at the holiday party, the company finds out the old CEO is being brought up on charges and in comes the New CEO, Kaneisha Jackson. Racey & Craig have party at the party. The company was being ran by a black woman, Oh Happy Day!!! The Merry Christmas is the beginning of the harder conversation underlying within the show. What is "race'" in post-Obama USA? After Jackson gets there, the show looks a lot like the current political climate in this country. The Republicans (Kathy) got violently upset at the changes. The "Black Voters" (Craig & Derek) that were first on board may or may not stay on board because of the changes don't exactly fit their agenda. And All the citizens who just want a better, fairly ran country (Racey & Peter) but see their voices being quieted by the others.
Fascinating work, I say!!! I'm going to miss this show. I love the theme song also (that is not it in the clip). It's called Ox Tails by French Telefone. Pick it up on ITunes & Amazon. Oh when you watch Unwritten Rules,
Check out another series on Ink Spot Entertainment channel called Everything I Did Wrong in My 20's. It is very life affirming. I have yet not to finish an episode in awe or in tears. Also as I said in my tweet you saw, there will be other thought provoking shows in 2015 to "Start A Conversation".
Don't know what I will watch on the first Wednesday of the month now but I am glad I spent past ones with The Unwritten Rules. One day hope these rules are broken. One Day... and Even on that day, Racey Rules!!!
Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms


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