I can not express how much I am loving black media right here lately. Over the past five years African Americans have been producing quality media with unique perspectives. This has been a refreshing change from Tyler Perry's formulaic cinema and slave narratives.

Today I want to focus on a particular Netflix original that has left a profound impression on me: The Get Down.


In a nutshell; The Get Down follows a group of teenagers of color living in the Bronx in the 70s. All with dreams of pursuing stardom in a changing music industry.

Boy does this show have it all! Let's go through the 10 ways The Get Down is changing the face of Black media, shall we?

1. Dynamic Characters of Color

 This show features a cast consisting majority of people of color. African American's, Latina's, and multi-racial young people. Not only are they all beautiful, but they are also written as complex and dynamic.

Ezekiel (Books) Figuero is a humble kid with an incredible talent for written expression. He can come up with poetry off the top of his head which only emphasizes how poetic and complex his thoughts are. He's sensitive, shy, but exudes initiative when it's necessary. And as he begins to find himself, he becomes more and more confident.

Shao isn't just the smooth talking, cat from around the way either. He has a troubled past and is obviously conflicted, but his heart is in the right place. He does what he feels is necessary, but still makes time to perfect his craft and be there for his friends.

These aren't the only characters who are shaping up to have amazing development, but they are the two main players. They are just two examples of the incredible writing and thought that went into developing these characters. Everyone is so sympathetic, relatable, and realistic, that you swear you are looking straight into someone's life when ever one of them walks on screen. You feel sympathy when they experience loss and pride when they succeed.

2. Rape (trigger warning)

So far, this show has not shown one instance of the stereotypical male on female violent rape. The Get Down has flipped the genders roles and taken on the task of showing and commenting on rape through the eyes of men at the hands of women.

Fat Annie and Shao, are a prime example of how uneven power dynamics and dominance play a role in rape. Fat Annie has admitted that she scouted Shao with the express purpose of grooming him to be her boy toy and minion. She takes advantage of Shao's circumstances and exudes her power over him in every way. Shao, reluctantly, relents to Fat Annie's whims in exchange for shelter, money, and protection as a necessary means to support himself, seeing no other options.
The scene between Jackie Moreno and Leslie Lesgold does not beat around the bush about what it is. In exchange for playing his client, Mylene's, record Leslie forces Jackie to give her oral sex. Leslie then goes back on her offer. Jackie comes straight out and tells her that what she did was rape, and that he will go to the police. To which Leslie scoffs at him, claims that she too was raped, and still kicks him out of her office. What's most impressive about this scene is how it is willing to call a spade a spade.

3. People of Color in Positions of Power

Based on the real Ramon S.Velez, Papa Fuerte is the epitome of a community leader. He's influential, powerful, connected, and passionate about helping his community. Papa Fuerte has legitimate connections in politics and business and some not so legitimate dealings in other arenas. Papa Fuerte is a proud Latino man who cares deeply about where he comes from. He truly believes in giving something back that his community can be proud of by any means possible. Papa Fuerte loves his daughter-er-niece Mylene, his family, and the city/people of the Bronx. He uses his power and influence for the greater good of his community.
Despite how you may feel about him, Mylene's father is an important person in this community as prominent pastors often are. Pastor Cruz is a powerful man who also loves his community and, yes, even his daughter. In his own misguided,dogmatic, smothering way.

Love her or hate her, Fat Annie is a powerful and influential woman of color in this world The Get Down has created. Now whether she cares for her community or is just a selfish villainess, remains to be seen, but her influence reaches all across the Bronx making her one of the most fearsome and powerful people in the community.
Ms. Green represents that one teacher that all of us had that believed in us enough to push us to our full potential. To all the Ms. Green's out there, we love and appreciate you and you have more power than you realize. <3

4. Strong Family Dynamics

Booboo, Dizzy, Rah Rah, and Yolanda's family are perhaps the most adorable thing ever. With all the lovable qualities of the Cosby's and the afro-centric quirkiness of the family from Sister Sister, they are the definition of what it means to be a loving, functional, strong black family unit.
But their family is not the only example of a strong, functional family of POC. Zeke's aunt and uncle, critical as they can seem, are supportive of Zeke and want what's best for his future.

This entire show emphasizes the importance of friendship, family, and unity. It proves through the friendships between the Get Down Brothers and Mylene, Yolanda, and Regina that family is deeper than blood.

5. Female Friendships

From the minute I saw them all together I loved them. Mylene and her friends are the epitome of what female friendships should look like.
First of all, not only are they are all adorable, but not one of them are jealous of the others (yet! Hey, I'm waiting for the next few seasons to see if Mylene pulls a Diana Ross.) Regina and Yolanda are Mylene's # 1 cheerleaders. While they do pick on her, it's completely playful and harmless and they're always willing to go above and beyond to help her in whatever way they can. The friendship and chemistry between these young ladies is palpable and genuine when ever they're on screen. I love the way each girl compliments one another. Whether they're reminding each other how fly or how talented they are, Mylene and The Soul Modonna's are the perfect set of home girls.

6. 70's Black History

I think we ccan all agree that only a few facets of black history get more than their fair share of shine. Slavery (between the late 17-1800s), the 50s and 60s, and if you can count it as history, the 90s gets a lot of shout outs too. The Harlem Renaissance? What is that? A friend of mine told me that he considered the 70s to be too laid back. Well excuse the fuck out of black people for wanting to enjoy themselves after 600 years of slavery, racism, miscegenation laws, and segregation. But contrary to popular belief, every day was not a night at the disco in the 70s. Black people were still fighting. Things were happening and The Get Down reminds us of the very real societal and political shift unique to the era fresh off the Civil Rights movement.

7. Pays Homage to Blaxploitation

Boy is The Get Down full of campy, border line corny moments. The first time they switched to a filtered lens and that damn street fighter announcer voice, I was like: Ooookaaaayy. And when they kept doing it, I got annoyed. I wanted to turn it off. Then I realized something: this was so clearly a homage to blaxploitation and the Kung Fu era that it all I could do was laugh and enjoy it. Once you take those little moments in the Get Down for what they are, you can appreciate them. It's a loving jab at the corny, campy, over the top cinematic flair of 70s blaxploitation and Kung Fu movies. And it's completely harmless. In fact, it's kind of adorable and cheeky. Besides, The Get Down has other moments where it takes its blaxploitation much more serious.

It's in the grittiness of the scenery and back drops, the musical scores that expertly match the shifts in mood, the visually stimulating, if a bit wonky, camera angles, the costuming and the vivid colors. The Get Down is clearly trying to be a Valentine to 70s cinema, and I, for one, appreciate them for it. Don't believe me? Just watch the scene of Jackie and Leslie, Shao and Annie, and Zeke and Mr. Gunns.

8. Romance

Come on, I can't talk about the get down without talking about the teen couple that's stolen out hearts.
God damn them for being so adorable.

Mylene and Zeke are the essence of puppy love: fresh, naive, confused, hopeful, angsty, and innocent. As much as they can get on each other's (and the audiences) nerves with their constant back and forth, break up to make up routine, you are always rooting for them.

It could be because when they are together they're just so sweet and adorable you get cavities and cataracts just looking at them. There is something touching about how much these kids care for each other and want to try to make their romance work while they follow their dreams. Here's hoping that Ed Koch's slutty wife and daughter, Shao (who I think wants to bang Mylene), or one of them doesn't mess it up!

With their complicated (but not that complicated as they practically slap us in the face with their love child) romance, Papa Fuerte and Mama Lydia also make it on the list. The scene of them dancing cheek to cheek to a Spanish ballad was like something out of a telanovella and melted my heart to a gushy puddle. I'm a sucker for forbidden love and the complicated romantic past between Papa Fuerte and Lydia is about as forbidden as it gets. Their chemistry is the old school counter of Mylene and Zeke's and I can't wait to see more about their history.

9. The Music

It's amazing. Every track is reminiscent of the era. Even the transitional scores are incredibly fitting. So much thought and effort clearly went into each and every song choice for every scene, every episode, every character, and every expression. The Get Down will take you from jamming and groovin to crying and contemplating in a matter of seconds.

Influences include: Donna Summer, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, The Jackson Five, Temptations (and other groups like them), and The Sugarhill Gang.

With the way they are blending modern rap, disco, early hip-hop, and scratching, into their sound track, I can't wait to see how they handle the rise of funk as the series segues into the 80s.

10. LGBTQ People of Color/Masculinity

Now ya'll know I could not talk about this show without talking about the intelligent, respectful as hell, classy as fuck, BOLD AS SHIT way it handles LGBTQ characters of color. Gay black men shown in a classy and respectful manner?! STOP THE MOTHER SHUT YO MOUTH PRESSES!


This scene was when I knew this show was going to be a complete game changer, and not just in black media, but in general.
From the moment I saw Dizzee and Thor together on screen, I knew what was going to go down and I was there for it. Dizzee and Thor's chemistry was immediately palpable. This whole scene was, in my opinion, the most beautiful, aesthetical, and cinematic of the entire series. And pretty much cemented The Get Down as one of my favorite shows of 2016.

Seriously, everything about this scene is beautifully handled. The subject matter, the brilliant cinematography, the sumptuous back grounds, the vivid colors, the music, the costumes. This scene sucks you straight into the 70s gay disco scene and invites you to vogue. It also speaks to how well the writers know their characters, as it fits the eccentricity of Dizzee and Jaden Smith like a glove.

What I particularly love is how simplistic they make it to understand what it means to be transgender.

Are they girls or boys?
 
All of it. Girls dressed as boys, girls trapped in boys bodies, boys turning into girls, girls who got sick of being boys.

It doesn't leave any rooms for why's, buts, or what if's. It's a simple answer to a simple question.

At first, I was disappointed that we did not get to see Dizzee and Thor actually kiss. But to be real, I was satisfied in a different way than I thought I would be by how they handled the kiss.

Lips on nipples, tongues running along the length of a throat, the silhouettes, the smokiness, the illusion. It was all so sensual, so erotic, so sumptuous, and so classy, that I couldn't be mad. It was a feeling it was a sensation. Almost as if you were feeling what Dizzee felt kissing his first boy and realizing that he's (gay? bisexual?) who gives a f*ck?! It was hot!

We have to remember that we are still dealing with the black community, who are not known for our tolerance towards homosexuality. Especially in men, and especially in feminine men. I can understand The Get Down wanting to test the waters before jumping off that particular diving board. Especially when they have already pushed the limits in so many other ways. I think they did an amazing job with everything they gave us. Let's not forget we also had a shadow of a threesome between these kids as well!

As the series progresses, I see a lot of potential for this story line. We all know with the rise of the 80s what particular epidemic is about to break out. How will that affect Dizzee? Will he and Thor become a thing? How will his friends and family handle his sexuality? GAH!!! COME ON GET DOWN! I NEED TO KNOW THESE THINGS!

Oh well. I know some people may have been disappointed that once again gay male intimacy was shafted, but if the current election has taught us anything, it's that as much as things change, they stay the same. The times they are a changin', but there are powers at play fighting to hinder that change to the best of their ability. I have absolute faith in the writers and producers in The Get Down.

Before Mylene and Zeke, before Papa Fuerte and Lydia, Dizzie and Thor are my #1 favorite couple on this show! 
Well, there you have it folks. That's the top 10 ways The Get Down is changing the game for Black media and media in general. I'll see you guys next post and remember: Raise your words not your voice!