Reel by smitch + co.
smitch + co.@smitch.co “Determined, social, self-involved” come up as terms to describe the character, Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy), a fictional but foundational Black girl on TV who gave a new dynamism to the “one dimensional pretty girl” trope. In this Season 3 scene from A Different World (NBC, 1987-1993), Gilbert self-affirms the way she knows best — with her clothes. Adornment was a big theme for this character, and often became a point of strife between others on the fictional Hillman College campus, where she was widely regarded as bougie and “stuck up” for her projected exterior. We see here that for Gilbert, adornment is an armor, something leveling her through the new, overwhelming world of young adult transition. Jasmine Guy @iamjasmineguy and director and showrunner Debbie Allen have both discussed this character profile at length, and affirm that Whitley was fashioned to present a sometimes unlikeable but authentic Black girl who not enough people had seen in mass media before. Taking a cue out of Ms. Gilbert’s book today to “relax, relate, release” and not bend to the comforts of others. Wear the fur with the sunglasses. From @charactour - Personality... determined, social, and self-involved. Whitley is used to getting what she wants when she wants. She never backs down from a challenge, and she is willing to fight dirty for it. She may present a tough exterior, but the walls she builds around her heart are what keep people from seeing it.
People in this post
Co-authors and accounts tagged in the frame.
Comments
A preview Instagram ships with the post — 2 of 3 public comments.
@khaleelah.harris This is literally my favorite episode because it was such a pivotal moment in her character development. It helped/helps me so much 🥹
· 5 likes
@victoria.nanaak This episode epitomized what I saw as my personal style. I for ages tried to find pics of this outfit alone. This show was so beautifully done I wish we get shows like this our generation and stop with these 8ep season shows.
· 2 likes