Blacks Supernatural Television (BST)

In honor of Black History Month... Wait, that was last month? This month is Women's history month. Well how about I just throw some black chicks in and get two birds with one stone?

Historically Blacks have been underrepresented in the Media. It is only been within the last 30 years that the Black experience has been exhibited on television sets. Shows with largely if not all Blacks casts such as What’s Happening, The Jeffersons, Good Times, In Living Color, and Girlfriends have garnered both critical acclaim and strong viewer support. Blacks have had successful runs in comedy and drama. However, for whatever reason are underrepresented in supernatural genres. So this blogpost will extol those characters from some of our favorite supernatural television shows.

Guinan, played by actress Whoopi Goldberg, was the resident bartender of The Starship Enterprise. She hails from a planet that was killed by the Borg and her civilization can live much longer than humans. As an Alien she has the ability to sense when things are wrong with others, this often comes in handy when her patrons have issues that they need to work out. Actress Whoopi Goldberg was a huge fan of the television show and actually approached the producers to see if they could find a roll for her.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge, the other Black crewmember aboard The Starship Enterprise. La Forge was not only Black but disabled. Blind from birth he wore a VISO (Visual Instrument and Sensory Organ Replacement) that enabled him to see electromagnetic radio waves, infrared, ultraviRolet, but not normal light perception. La Forge is a Human born in the futuristic year of 2335 in the African Confederation of Earth. When he travels back in time he is responsible in helping to create Earth’s first warp-capable vessel and was one of the first to achieve contact with the Vulcan race.

Micah Sanders, one of the youngest heroes on the television hit Heros. Micah is a technopath that has the ability to communicate with machines and electronics. Micah is extremely intelligent but comes from a chaotic household. He has to go on the run with his mother when she fails to repay a debt borrowed from a loan shark. Later on in the show he is kidnapped by his father when he walks in on them having a fierce battle.

Walt Lloyd, the youngest survivor of Oceanic flight 815. Walt is just getting reacquainted with his estranged father Michael, when their plane goes down on the mystical island. Walt exhibits some form of supernatural power that has yet to be explained. He shares a close relationship with fellow survivor, Locke. In the season 3 finale after fleeing the island Walt appears to Locke who has been shot by resident ass hole, Benjamin.

One of my favorite appearances by a Black actor in a supernatural television show would have to be Kendra played by Bianca Lawson in television’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Kendra was the vampire slayer who once stated “that was my favorite shirt… That was my only shirt” moments after a vampire from the hellmouth of Sunndale tore the shirt she was wearing. Kendra appeared to be a native of some island in the Caribbean. Although no place of origin was given this could be assumed by her accent. Kendra unfortunately only appeared in three episodes before she was killed making way for morally corrupt vampires slayer, Faith.