Let's Talk Television

Yeah, let's talk specifically about Orange is the New Black. Seriously. Who isn't watching this show? If you are not, then I highly suggested you get Netflix streaming (if you already have it you're half way there) then sit down with at least three days of groceries, your favorite pajamas and watch all of the episodes right now. 

It's a show about a womens prison and it tells the stories of the women who are there and why they are there. It's about relationships and love, but it's also about the politics of womens prisons. Healthcare, race and sex are also topics of this show that depict womens issues and how they might be handled in prison environment. These issues aren't really something that most people think about when you think of women in jail, and I think it's great that Netflix has decided to produce a show about it.

One of the most interesting depictions of  these women is of character, Sophia, played by a transgendered actress, Laverne Cox. It's not often you see a transgendered woman playing a role on television and it's also very rare that the actress is African American. It's easy for television to stereotype a trans person but I feel like this show helps show a different side to them. A side that for many people, humanizes them.

I'm not saying this show is a perfect depiction of what it's like to be a woman, or a woman of color, in prison. I don't think most people really know what that is like, ( I don't) but for television to show all races, ages and sexualities on one show, is kind of remarkable.

This is one of my favorite scenes. It totally makes fun of me and most of my friends, and I'm okay with it. You have to be able to laugh at yourself, right?



Anyway, if you haven't seen this show, DO IT! It's good. If you have, you already know that it's great.