There are no obvious morals expounded in Netflix Original is that one must err on the side of comion, not go around trying to prove oneself right at the emotional, physical and psychological cost to others.
These characters aren't perfect, nor are they expected to be: they are college students just discovering different modes of expression, but what they do get right are their stances against the politics of privilege. For the most part, the dialogue is lighthearted and whimsical, but there are moments when the words seem to burst out of the TV screen and deliver a resounding digital slap across our collective face. Here are a few of these quotes.
“Sometimes Being Carefree And Black Is An Act Of Revolution” — Joelle Brooks
Joelle always seems to know what she's talking about, and this time is no different. As Reggie mopes around the campus, she tags along with him, explaining that the world isn't always fair, and especially not towards POCs.
This is the first thing an ally must comprehend, that it takes a lot of effort to even exist: to be free, unburdened, and audacious, and being Black is a form of resistance against the oppressor. The concept behind these words isn't new, for instance, Maya Angelou's poem, "Still I Rise" is a testament to those voices that refuse to live life according to any other than their own.
“Dear White People" Is A Misnomer. My Show Is Meant To Articulate The Feelings Of A Misrepresented Group Outside The Majority.” — Sam White
Sam's radio show was never meant to be an insult, nor did she intend to hurt anyone's feelings. The fact, however, that people still got upset over it only proves her point. The goal, according to Sam, is to spread awareness of the smaller things that bother POCs, well, smaller in the eyes of white people, at least.
Her program explicitly details how "misrepresented groups outside the majority" perceive society, a statement that is as clear as it is emphatic. Allyship requires one to separate active hatred from righteous anger.
“Sometimes People Get What They Have Because They Earned It” — Gabe Mitchell
A fine example of how not to be an ally is to be born into privilege and then have the entitlement to make a statement as callous and ridiculous as this. The whole concept of "earning your way" is total nonsense, as Gabe fails to understand the numerous barriers that block the journeys of people who don't have the same skin color as him.
The problem here is that Gabe thinks he never received any advantage during his life, but he doesn't consider the fact that he also didn't have a lot of disadvantages either (unlike the people he has the audacity to aim this quote at).
“I've Been Out Since Queen Janet's Wardrobe Malfunction.” — Kelsey Phillips
What's lovely about this show is how it seamlessly blends into intersectional perspectives — being Black and queer, to be specific. Kelsey is proud to be a lesbian, referring to herself as a Gold-Star (the best kind, obviously), but when she tells this to Coco, her friend asks if she's "coming out to her."
A heterosexual ally would never make such a judgment call, almost as if assuming themselves to be important enough to be blessed with a queer person's confession. Kelsey's spectacular sass is everything, though.
“We Pay Tuition To This Place! Get Your Guns Out Of Our Face!” — Sam And The Protestors
Being an ally includes the act of physical protest, putting oneself on the frontline of the revolution along with the marginalized. Currently, across the country, those who aren't POCs are marching side by side with their brethren, showing how they are willing to fight together, not merely offer words of and condolence from the relative safety of their homes.
The struggle is as real as can be - it is not limited to newspaper headlines and live broadcasts, it is out on the streets amidst clouds of tear gas and riot shields. And when it comes to the question of innocent lives being taken away, institutional brutality is as much to blame as ive ignorance.
“Go Be Gay” — Sam White
Yet another quote on queerness, Sam tells this to Lionel playfully, insisting that he go have fun with other gay students (Silvio, basically). In this, she shows herself as an ally, as she is happy to see her friend blossom into his own, regardless of how badly she wants to discuss the superhot topic, Order of X, with him.
Sometimes, all it takes is letting someone be who they were meant to be, and holding back from imposing one's own ambitions and urgency on other people.
“This May Be A Surprise To You, But I Don't Use My Fist To Solve Problems.” — Reggie Green
Reggie says this line when Gabe asks him if he's about to hit him, with no provocation whatsoever. It's as if Gabe sees Blackness as naturally aggressive, a common stereotype held by a lot of people (only part of the reason why police brutality exists).
Assumptions like these may not technically sound racist, but they are, nevertheless: and exasperating too, considering that Reggie is one of the more sensitive characters and wouldn't dream of hurting a fly. Even if he were prone to violence, Gabe's pigeonholing of an entire group of people is just unacceptable.
“If You Were A Cat Owner And Only All Cats Were Dying In America, If Someone Said To You, 'All Lives Matter,' You'd Be Upset, Too.” — Troy Fairbanks
To be honest, Troy only says this line as part of one of his electoral debates (to become student body president), but the quote remains valid. Too many people believe that the counter to "Black Lives Matter" is "All Lives Matter," conveniently ignoring the reality that not all lives and livelihoods are under constant threat.
Allies would be the first to see the difference between the two arguments, in that the original phrase doesn't mean "Only Black Lives Matter," but "Black Lives Also Matter (As Much As White Ones)". It is not a cry for superiority, but for .
“But It's Not Like I'm A Racist.” — Random White Dude
The white dude in question is Addison, a popular Winchester frat boy, but it might as well have come from anyone else's mouth: Kurt Fletcher certainly thinks this way, and, perhaps, Thane Lockwood (if he had enough brain cells to spare).
Saying that you're not a racist but then employing the n-word with impunity, like it's a pop culture phenomenon and not a horrible trigger, is plainly insensitive. Addison may deem himself an ally because he happens to be friends with a couple of POCs, but his thoughts and conditioning are clearly geared differently.
“Exactly, That's The Difference. The Fact That You Don't Care And I Do.” — Reggie Green
Continuing from the previous quote, Reggie asks Addison if he would be OK with him using words like "cracker" and "honky," to which the answer is an unsurprising "I wouldn't care at all."
Where white people are unable to sense injustice, simply because they don't experience the world the same way, Black people don't have that luxury. Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can destroy you from within. To be conscious of another's history is an important step in making amends.