Writing in Color: The Writers Guild of America, West Committee of Black Writers presents this panel discussion with TV comedy writers Dan Harmon (“Community’), Alan Yang (“Parks & Recreation”), Aisha Muharrar (“Parks & Recreation”), Halsted Sullivan (“The Office”), and network executive Karen Horne (NBC & Universal Media Studios), moderated by WGAW Committee of Black Writers chair David Wyatt.
Aisha: I had two friends who were working on a children’s show and they pitched a character named Aisha based on me. “Oh, she’s kinda a quirky, smart black girl.” And their boss was like, “Well that’s kinda unrealistic.”
>> What Do You Mean When You Say You Want 'Strong Female Characters'?
These discussions about ‘strong female characters’ often elide who is being talked about, and they play into larger narratives that no one seems to want to discuss. Who gets to tell stories? Who gets to be the lead, and who is the sidekick or supporting character? Who is calling for ‘strong female characters’ and what, exactly, do they mean when they say that?
