T.V Portrayal of Intersectionality: “Green Leaf”

Loomings

“Greenleaf”, is the name of the First African American, Christian family who owns the widely known, all Black church in the south of Memphis. The family has many gender differences and intersectionalities of their life and the church xcorssing paths and eventually, many of those intersectionalities come to be apart of the churches gossip hall, leaving many of the women and men in charge of defending or not defending parts of their lives. Many of people of color in this cast are put on the spot and have to show vulnerability and which goes for both men and women.

Culture -People of color & the church

Historically, religion has been an important component in many African Americans lives. The church has been/is a house and home to many, regardless of what goes on behind the closed doors of one’s home.

Church is known as the one place people and African Americans can set their problems aside and focus on reconnecting with family, friends, husbands, wives children and the like. Church is also known as a place where one can go personally to connect with God and pray about any stress or issues.

I believe because of the mostly, all African American cast, and how important religion has been to African Americans, could be the reason this series takes place in the church and in the south. Many couples and relationships in “Greenleaf”, do not directly, and immediately focus on matters which are stressful and create disturbances in their lives. Many may stay silent and wait for God’s time and intervention. In the meantime, many stay focused on the church life and holding up a picture perfect life.

For instance, in the series “Greenleaf”, season 1:E9, a Bishop is accused of having inappropriate relationships with young ladies. These women are in the church and in bishop’s family. Many, whom are not yet consenting adults. It makes me think of the “other man”, and the life of a man having two lives. One good and the other breaking the law just to have personal satisfaction.

The bishop may have not been suspected because of his personal relationship in/ with the church as a responsible “God fearing” man. However, one of his family member’s intervened an investigated old complaints and allegations.The bishop was exposed. If not, bishop may have kept doing wrong. He was operating on his own terms and hiding behind his leadership of the church. He may have been also hiding behind the entitlement of being a member of the Greenleaf family, who owns the church.

Then there’s Charity’s husband, whom has identity issue and on the way to becoming a new father. If a person of color was struggling with an identity issue or maybe someone watching the show just wants to converse with others about the shows controversy and gender differences, William and Gonlin touch on some points. In the article written by William and Gonlin; if potentially someone or other persons of color were tuning into watch “Greenleaf”, and wanted to tune into a “second screen”, or online, via tuning into “Black” twitter to interact with other people of color, then Black twitter could be one place others could go and relate to others and affirm personal opinions (2017).

Why there’s Still Potential Secrecy in The Church: Intersectionality, Creating Division & Opportunity of Those Individuals Who Break The Law and Those Individuals Still Identifying with self (sexuality).

According to Nadolny (2020), USA today, a church may mishandle crimes, such as sexual assault due to scrutiny, limited understanding, limited guidance, and ignorance.

In Dade’s opinion, African American churches are “hypocrisy”. He says, many churches operate on a “don’t ask, don’t tell” moto. This enables members of the LBGTQ+ community to still participate, in the church. Mainly on the churches choir and in other positions of authority (hypocrisy). This is an older article, but Dade also mentions, president Obama opening the door to the acceptance of same sex marriage and yet religious leaders still being in opposition. Especially, those religious leaders of the African American community (Dade, 2012).

The divide is moving towards change, especially with people of color belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, the portrayal of the African American man and his role as a masculine male. In “Greenleaf”, even though some of the men struggle with their sexual orientation, it doesn’t seem to take away the Presence of their masculinity.