#AnimatedBlackGirls Celebrates Diversity In Cartoons Past and Present

Valerie was first lead black woman in an animated series; bad-ass scientist & rocked tambourines. #AnimatedBlackGirls pic.twitter.com/xVs2mXnSfn

— Son of Baldwin (@SonofBaldwin) July 14, 2015

It’s easy to despair and think about the representation that’s not there. But something equally important is celebrating – and in many cases reminding people of – what already is there. TyTheRobot, editor over at Fanbros.com, started an awesome hashtag – #AnimatedBlackGirls – to get people talking about their favorite black, female cartoon characters, past and present. Over 13,000 Twitter users chimed in about their faves! Like Son of Baldwin above, lots of people went way retro, while others mined their childhoods, reminding us of awesome black women and girls who’ve been a part of some of our favorite shows:

jodie from daria was so WOKE #animatedblackgirls pic.twitter.com/CE2RTTW4Hm — sel (@neptunecutie) July 13, 2015

Susanna “Susie” Yvonne Ain’t Have No Time For White Kid Shenanigans Carmichael. #AnimatedBlackGirls pic.twitter.com/zTuxZZJq5m

— Cynthia F. (@cynfinite) July 13, 2015

Gaia from Captain Planet. The spirit of the whole Earth. #animatedblackgirls pic.twitter.com/D1LiTrLpWV — Mariah Huehner (@TiredFairy) July 13, 2015

Oh yeah, and some people’s childhoods aren’t even that long ago (I’M SO OLD), so there’s some more recent stuff from other people’s “childhoods” while I was graduating college and getting a damn grown-up job:

Penny Proud . 💕😪 bring it back #AnimatedBlackGirls pic.twitter.com/Eo15arwVVP

— Joelle (@simply_blasianx) July 13, 2015

don’t sleep on how freaking awesome and adorable and imaginative Goo from Foster’s was #AnimatedBlackGirls. pic.twitter.com/TOkGYpg0XA — KY PESOS (@kynotkye) July 14, 2015

#AnimatedBlackGirls AMANDA “THE WALL” WALLER. pic.twitter.com/GCZTOr5ecI

— B. Lois Lane (@BlackLoisLane) July 13, 2015

And of course, there’s the more modern and current #AnimatedBlackGirls that we love:

You respect Princess Tiana like you respect Michelle Obama. Bow down. #ThePrincessAndTheFrog#AnimatedBlackGirlspic.twitter.com/MhHRPA60W1 — Mickey Kayline (@MickeyOnVox) July 13, 2015

#AnimatedBlackGirls #Garnet “It’s okay Steven, I’m never alone.” pic.twitter.com/shAuFrEVqN

— ⚡Garnet’s Shades⚡ (@RocknLox) July 13, 2015

#Vixen, a forthcoming superhero series with a black female lead. Get into it. #AnimatedBlackGirls pic.twitter.com/UdYvAS2dKE

— @MADBLACKTHOT (@MADBLACKTHOT) July 14, 2015

And this badassery deserves to stand all on its own:

Danielle Cage- Captain America. Daughter of Jewel and Luke Cage. #AnimatedBlackGirls pic.twitter.com/PVSqWilnxR

— Hoely Golightly (@Jherane_) July 13, 2015

Here’s to recognizing that women of color have always played important roles in the media we consume, and here’s to continuing to inspire young people of color with new examples that they can look up to!

(via Vocativ)

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