Clark, professor of cinema and television arts, was interviewed by Leah Asmelash of CNN Entertainment to discuss the importance of Issa Rae's hit comedy show.
An article from CNN Entertainment on the legacy of HBO’s award-winning comedy “Insecure” featured commentary from Professor of Cinema and Television Arts Naeemah Clark.
“Insecure” aired its series finale on Sunday, Dec. 26 and Clark offered insights as to why the depictions of “deeper, more holistic connections between Black women” earned the hit show a special place in the grand scheme of television history.
“There’s this understanding of knowledge and support that you don’t get from White friends necessarily. No matter how ‘woke’ the White friends are, it is the other Black women and women of color that understand that navigation,” Clark said in the article written by CNN reporter Leah Asmelash.
“And I think ‘Insecure’ did that really well. It relied on the same structure and tropes from shows of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, but there is this element of today’s world, where the Black woman stands culturally,” Clark added.
Often, “Insecure” is compared to shows such as “Living Single” or “Girlfriends” from the 1990s and early 2000s which also showed the daily lives of Black young adults. But through airing on HBO, “Insecure” was able to offer a different and more nuanced look, Clark said.
Clark explained that a television show doesn’t change policies or politics, but “Insecure” was able to always frame the Black experience as a valuable one. And focusing on everyday problems that most can relate to – such as who should date who, relationships with friends or problems at work – was a nice distraction.
“It was like a little hug on Sunday,” Clark said.
The full article can be read here.