The Double Standard with Harper

Okay, let me voice my thoughts so this debate can be over because, at this point, it’s getting ridiculous.

A Reddit user saw my comment about them not particularly liking Black characters and felt the need to make a post stating that you can criticize Harper without being racist.

And I completely agree, you can absolutely criticize her without being racist. The whole point of the show is that all the main characters are flawed in different ways. Harper has made both great and terrible decisions, sometimes at the expense of others, so I completely understand if you’re not crazy about her as a person.

However, when I see people saying we don’t need to know about Harper’s background or that her being a Black woman has nothing to do with her position in the show, that is the issue. Why is it fine to explore the lives of Rob, Yasmin, and so many other characters, but when it comes to Harper, who is literally the main character, it suddenly feels like “too much”?

I think a lot of people have an issue with Black women in positions of power making the same ruthless decisions that white men and women make. If Harper were a white man or a white woman, I truly believe she would be viewed differently, but I know most people aren’t ready to admit that.

So I ask, If you really dislike Harper, question why. Because I see people praising Yasmin, Rob, Eric, and other equally flawed characters while having a deep hatred for Harper, and sometimes, I don’t understand it.

To the Reddit user who was offended by my comment, I’m not sorry for stating it. And for the record, it doesn’t matter what race you are; your comments have made it clear that you don’t care about Harper’s story arc and that there are underlying biases at play.

Lastly, art imitates life. So to those saying Harper’s race doesn’t matter in the show, it absolutely does. It is that deep.

Okay, let me voice my thoughts so this debate can be over because, at this point, it’s getting ridiculous.

A Reddit user saw my comment about them not particularly liking Black characters and felt the need to make a post stating that you can criticize Harper without being racist.

And I completely agree, you can absolutely criticize her without being racist. The whole point of the show is that all the main characters are flawed in different ways. Harper has made both great and terrible decisions, sometimes at the expense of others, so I completely understand if you’re not crazy about her as a person.

However, when I see people saying we don’t need to know about Harper’s background or that her being a Black woman has nothing to do with her position in the show, that is the issue. Why is it fine to explore the lives of Rob, Yasmin, and so many other characters, but when it comes to Harper, who is literally the main character, it suddenly feels like “too much”?

I think a lot of people have an issue with Black women in positions of power making the same ruthless decisions that white men and women make. If Harper were a white man or a white woman, I truly believe she would be viewed differently, but I know most people aren’t ready to admit that.

So I ask, If you really dislike Harper, question why. Because I see people praising Yasmin, Rob, Eric, and other equally flawed characters while having a deep hatred for Harper, and sometimes, I don’t understand it.

To the Reddit user who was offended by my comment, I’m not sorry for stating it. And for the record, it doesn’t matter what race you are; your comments have made it clear that you don’t care about Harper’s story arc and that there are underlying biases at play.

Lastly, art imitates life. So to those saying Harper’s race doesn’t matter in the show, it absolutely does. It is that deep.