New BET+ Series Diarra From Detroit Walks A Fine Line Between The Complexities of Black Womanhood and the Pitfalls of Stereotypes
As a Black woman, my experience with films and TV shows about the Black community tends to evoke one of two strong reactions: immense excitement at seeing our culture and community represented, or immediate frustration at yet another narrative that perpetuates stereotypes about Black women. Watching Diarra from Detroit on BET+ elicited both feelings for me.
The series centers on Diarra, played by Diarra Kilpatrick, a newly divorced school teacher who returns to her neighborhood seeking to get her life together but mostly drowning in her sorrows. Unexpectedly, she finds herself trying to solve the mystery of her Tinder date’s (Shannon Wallace) disappearance. In the first three episodes, solving this case becomes the center of her universe. She thinks this could be the love of her life, while her friends are convinced she’s having a mental breakdown. The storyline itself doesn't claim to represent the entirety of the Black experience, but everything from the setting and dialogue to the characters attempts to be relatable, sometimes pushing the boundaries too far.
Diarra is nicknamed "Captain Extra" at her school due to her intense involvement in her students' lives, a nickname that accurately captures everything going on in this show. While there are moments that feel authentic to Black culture, there are also scenes that make me cringe. From the start, Diarra's life is portrayed as chaotic. She is suffering from insomnia, which she jokingly claims has transformed her into the cliché white woman from horror movies who investigates a noise without the slightest bit of protection, or as Diarra puts it, a pistol. This moment was perfection but is quickly overshadowed when she finds herself at gunpoint only to realize it’s a childhood friend. It reminds me of all the moments in my life I’ve been asked, “Have you seen someone get shot?” This moment is just offering ammo to these stereotypes.
This dichotomy leads me to question the target audience of the show. BET, being a platform that champions Black culture, should ideally present our stories in a tasteful manner. While Diarra from Detroit doesn't outright tarnish Black culture — indeed, it accurately depicts many aspects — it's the small moment that I find problematic. “Being a Black woman makes everything more difficult. You can’t even take a trauma shower without worrying about getting your fucking hair wet,” says Diarra in a scene in the bathrooom, demonstrating a clear connection to Black culture. Though it’s small and could be looked over, its those moments that show me the intention behind the show.
Yet, it's this nuanced portrayal that leaves me with mixed feelings — pride in the authentic moments and discomfort at the show's reliance on overused tropes. The show's saving grace is its emphasis on community. Diarra, despite her flaws and fixation on her Tinder date, is surrounded by a supportive cast of characters. Her relationships with Aja (DomiNque Perry), a salon owner building her brand, and Mr. Tea (Bryan Terrell Clark), who's on his own quest for love, provide a sense of belonging and grounding. Most notably, her bond with her best friend Moni (Claudia Logan) is what truly keeps Diarra centered. Moni is her childhood friend who knows who Diarra truly is at her core. In the last scene of the third episode, we flashback to Diarra and Moni as young girls, showing the heart of the Black community and those truly authentic moments within our neighborhoods.
Diarra from Detroit walks a fine line, offering a glimpse into the complexities of Black womanhood and community while navigating the pitfalls of stereotype and exaggeration. It's a reminder of the delicate balance required to faithfully represent Black culture on screen. But that’s the beauty — we get to see Black culture on the screen and explore storytelling in a way that is true to us.
New episodes of Diarra from Detroit are streaming on BET+ every Thursday.
