The Problem With “Ted Lasso’s” Akufo is Him Being the Spear of Capitalism

The show gives an example of moral capitalism — while making sure its Black character shows its dark side.

Hal H. Harris
Established in 1865

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A Black man staring through a soccer net. Source: Nappy.

Ted Lasso’s humor and joy live in its wordplay.

Toward the end of its third and final season, Lasso and AFC Richmond owner have a brief exchange. The team is gearing up for another game. Ted and Rebecca are in the coach’s room, exchanging banter.

“I’ve got to see a man about a horse,” Rebecca muses.

Ted, who has also struggled to communicate with the British with idioms and American references (he left his team flabbergasted earlier in the season with a story about supporting someone he knew was in the closet by not attending a Super Bowl viewing with the Denver Broncos), finally thought he found a linguistic similarity between the mother country and its progeny that became the most powerful nation in known existence.

“No,” Rebecca replied. “I actually am going to buy a horse.”

Akufo is an assegai. Rebecca is a pensive.

Many critics have lashed out against the third season of Ted Lasso, accusing it of losing the focus on its titular character in favor of side…

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Hal H. Harris
Established in 1865

Black on Both Sides. Medium Writers Challenge Winner. The founder of Established in 1865. I Tweet @Established1865. E-mail is hal.harris@est1865.com.