Insecure's Molly-Andrew relationship is helping to push back against racial bias in the real world

The New York Times

"The Molly-Andrew relationship is part of a larger cultural trend in which black women, especially those of medium-to-dark-brown complexions — long positioned at the bottom of the aesthetic and social hierarchy in the United States because of racist standards — are increasingly appearing as leading ladies and romantic ideals in interracial relationships onscreen," says Salamishah Tillet. "In some cases, these are works created by black women themselves, like (Issa) Rae’s Insecure.” Other shows like Bob Hearts Abishola, Mixed-ish, How to Get Away with Murder and Love Is Blind have also been "part of a broader mainstreaming of black women’s beauty and cultural influence," says Tillet. She also points to The Jeffersons' Tom and Helen Willis relationship and Scandal's Fitz and Olivia for changing the way black women are viewed in interracial relationships. Kerry Washington, who played Olivia on Scandal and Helen Willis in last year's live taping of The Jeffersons, adds:  “I do think the ways that we are thinking about interracial relationships now, it’s about two consenting individuals’ choosing. We’re in a moment of being able to really deal with the complicated nuance of two individuals coming together across cultural divides and choosing each other, both having free will.”