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Editor’s Note: The content of this blog first appeared in the Teen Wolf Forums on this site. I felt it was a valuable perspective on race within the Teen Wolf Universe and encouraged the author to present it here. This piece has been edited for presentation but not content. - Paul.rea
So let me first start off by stating three things.
First - I'm an African-American who loves both this show and Sci-Fi/Supernatural genre in general.
Two - this is in no way meant to be inflammatory just something I noticed and was wanting to see if anyone else got the same vibe.
Three - this is the first time I have ever started a forum so I hope a few people comment. Even if it’s to tell me I'm an ass LOL.
This is what got me thinking about the whole thing.
I love it when they throw black people into supernatural shows. It’s not something you see a whole lot of outside of like “one shot” characters who typically either die or are playing some stereotypical role like a thug or something of that nature. What I don’t like is when they're used as typical Hollywood plot devices or thrown in there literally for the sake of having more color on screen.
Let me tell you what I mean.
Dr. Deaton, who is my second favorite character after Derek, fills the role of the MAGICAL NEGRO.
I’m not making this up people you can Google that term. This is pretty much an undercover Hollywood term for an African-American character who generally mentors the Caucasian protagonist. This character generally has abilities that are either not up to par with the white protagonist or are of a different caliber.
A few instances of this would be both Morpheus and the Oracle in The Matrix and Bonnie Bennett in TVD.
What makes this tolerable for me in Teen Wolf is that Dr. Deaton isn’t written to be anything other than that role, meaning they could have put someone of any race and it would have worked.
Plus - Deaton is a boss.
My only real issue with race in Teen Wolf came with Boyd’s character.
I will be the first to say I was happy as hell when they made a black werewolf and I know I speak for a lot of minorities when I say it really helps connect with a show more when you can see yourself represented.
I know, in a way, it seems racist but it’s just one of those little things I don’t really think Caucasians get because it’s rarely an issue for you guys.
Prolly my only critique of the show at that time came up when it started to seem like he was only there to be the token black guy. It seems like someone specifically made the same complaint I was talking about at the studio and they were like "Yeah we'll throw them a bone" and gave us Boyd. He’s such a good character and a strong actor but they really haven’t given him much of a story or anything to do.
Last season there were so many episodes where he either just wasn't there or wasn't doing anything relevant.
In this season he's "there" a little more but - face it - everyone assumes he’s gonna be the Beta that dies cause there hasn't been any character development for him.
But I will say I'm glad they created him as this "loner with a job" character as opposed to either a juvenile delinquent or some star athlete.
Like I said would love some constructive criticism. Even if it’s to tell me I'm over thinking it.
Two people commented on my original forum post and I want to add their thoughts and respond cause I appreciate them reading and even more so because that they were intelligent with their responses.
The first one is of course from the big man Paul.rea he writes:
While I have a number of issues with your thesis...
For Example: Boyd's absence on screen in Season 2 was more to do with Sinqua's audition schedule and less about the writers desire to develop the character.
...I think this is a measured and well thought out argument. I encourage you to write it as a blog post so that I might properly edit it, add artwork and promote it on the front page of the site.
Also - just from my non-minority view - I would think people would be upset at Boyd's portrayal as the "angry black werewolf" in Motel California and other recent episodes.
Again though - love the piece and would really love to see it get more exposure.
My response to that is to thank you for your comment and for adding new information about Sinqua's schedule didn't know that so it puts it in a little more perspective.
As for the part of his portrayal as the angry black man, I didn’t have an issue with that for multiple reasons -
One, everyone was going crazy.
Two, because it was over something that added a back story to his character and let us see him as something more than just someone who is mad at the world. It showed that the writers seem to want to do more with his character. This still might have just been a set up to his death but I hope not.
The second response came from User:ColinXBallin who comments
How do you feel about the representation of Ms. Morrell? Do you think she fits any stereotypical black role?
Once again thanks for taking the time to read my stuff.
I'm gonna say i enjoy Ms. Morrell for several reasons.
The first has to do with what I mentioned about giving Boyd a back story. Ms. Morrell does the same thing for Dr. Deaton.
It’s something that humanizes him and shows that the writers plan on taking you deeper with his character.
The second thing is she doesn't seem typical of what most would consider “stereotypical black women” not gonna go into all that cause that would probably come out sounding both racist and sexist.
Here’s the thing Ms. Morrell is posing at the school as both a guidance counselor and a French teacher (though not a good one as Lydia seems to know it better) these aren't roles usually giving as stereotypical for blacks.
Also I've never really seen a character like her. She appears to not to be attempting to play the two groups against each other but is an actual member of both sides of this conflict.
Even when Deaton sees her, he doesn't seem surprised or upset or even angry. He seems to be general concerned as an older brother would be almost like Alison’s father was when Kate began to show her the family business.