Most AfterEllen.com readers and indeed most observant consumers of pop culture are aware of how rare quality film and television roles for black actresses tend to be. Just yesterday, Sarah blogged about the women of Soul Food, who have gone from lead roles in a compelling drama to primarily supporting roles, and earlier this week the LA Times spoke up with an article about Hollywood's love for "black best friends."

While the article doesn't necessarily break entirely new ground (Spike Lee has been talking about the related "magical negro" phenomenon for years), this unfortunate "BBF" trend — the casting of a black woman as the "the wise, loyal and often sassy sidekick" to a leading white woman — deserves all the press attention it can get, in the hopes that it will change. Just think about it:

I love Wanda Sykes in anything she does, thought Stacey Dash as Dionne was Clueless Cher's better half, and am becoming a fan of My Boys best friend Kellee Stewart (now that her character's story line has moved slightly beyond finding a man to fly to Italy with her). I also think that sidekicks are often more interesting and appealing than lead characters (hello, Willow).

But I'd be even more thrilled to see these women in lead roles, and when I try to think of instances in the reverse — black women with white best friends — all that comes to mind is Peter, Rudy's pal on The Cosby Show, and I don't think that counts, no matter how cute they are. … continue reading