“Theresa Harris in ‘Baby Face (1933) — The First “Best Black Friend” (BBF)?”
“the 1933 drama “Baby Face” (it started about an hour before I started typing this) — a film that may have been the first to introduce the BBF stock character (BBF of course means Best Black Friend — a usually black actress cast as the leading white actress’ best friend; and even though they’re supposed to be “equals,” the BBF is often 2 dimensional, there strictly to support her white friend, aiding her in eventually overcoming some personal obstacle).”
Mostly how I saw myself represented in media growing up. From an early age, though, I understood that I was supposed to be grateful to have been included — but to actually be identifying with and caring about the main white character.
Related: “The Enduring Legacy Of Dionne From ‘Clueless’”; “New VH1 Show “Bye Felicia” Promotes the “Strong Black Woman” Stereotype”; “Hollywood: The Power of the White Gaze”
