While the reviews on the series were mixed, much of the social conversation centered around Walker’s relationship with her husband. Watching a powerful woman be neglectful, dismissive and often emasculate her doting husband was a difficult dynamic to watch. Viewers also reacted strongly to seeing Charles Walker’s decision to have an extramarital affair to placate his emotional wounds.
“Self Made” was revolutionary in that it allowed viewers to see behind the curtain and observe the flawed character traits that we often don’t see in those we admire or celebrate. Our inability to see our heroes and sheroes as fallible results in disgraced legacies and unrealistic standards that none of us can aspire to or emulate. For Nicole Asher to write a screenplay that included both Walker’s strategic business mind along with her inability to connect intimately with her husband and daughter was courageous. For her to show the ugly competitiveness that often rears its ugly head among female rivals, yet show the solidarity that resulted in Walker receiving the financial investment she needed to take her hair care line to the next level from female supporters, was authenticity at its best.
If we aren’t able to see Black excellence in its truest form, flaws and all, we will forever subject ourselves to losing our leaders and celebrated icons.
