I have spent a few days reading through articles and blogs that talk about the L Word's Bette neglecting her "blackness" unless the show's plot is in need. To my suprise, this stirred some interesting feelings and thoughts within me. To be honest, anger is the best way to describe what I felt. The author of blac(k) academic stated, "[O]ne of the main characters, a bi-racial bette, is the prime example of this binary system. on occasion, references are made to bette's "black side," but for the most part, she is coded as white. we are only reminded of her ties to blackness, through her recovering alcoholic half-sister and her estranged father," referring to a theory of racial binary. Have any of these ranters walked in bi-racial shoes?

From behind these hazel eyes being bi-racial isn't easy. I can see how the writers of the L Word would have a hard time finding a way to express both Bette's sides. Being a black cuban, finding a place that you fit is often a tiring task. In America, you aren't really considered black because you are cuban, and you aren't considered hispanic because you are have African ancestry and your darker skin. Delving even deeper, when you look for a place in the white community, there is still something missing. It's hard enough without people making it even harder.

What would make these viewers happy? Should Bette attend a weekly "Sistah Talk" meeting to "identify" properly with her blackness? Would she have truly been a better love interest for Tasha simply because she is half-black?

Anyone else have any insight?

I think she does. Do you?

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