"I have watched Issa Rae be Issa since her days on Awkward Black Girl on YouTube, and with each iteration of the character, she has just gotten me. Issa Dee on Insecure upholds the tradition with each and every season, even if half of the time I'm wondering if anyone could truly be so painfully awkward (they can, I am, it's fine). During season three, Issa's main journey is moving on from the end of her relationship with Lawrence and finding solid ground without depending on someone else to prop her. It's not a smooth journey (it never is with Issa) and the steps along the way are enough to make anyone give up. But Issa's perseverance comes through in the end, leading her to make the decision to take a step back from the things she can't control and focus on bettering herself.
For anyone, that's a sound decision and one people should always turn to. But as a black woman who relates so closely to Issa Dee and intimately understands how easy it can be to lose yourself in other people's drama, opinions, or actions, it was gratifying to see Issa choose herself. It was validating to see another black woman choose to focus on her self-care, her prosperity, and her goals instead of outside factors. It wasn't a moment where the 'magical black woman' trope comes in and Issa just soldiers through her pain or doesn't let things affect her. Instead, she chooses to deal with her pain by distancing herself from those who are hurting rather than helping and endeavors to work on her personal growth. It was beautiful to watch and it made me feel like the struggles I have are seen, experienced by others, and understood."
— Mekishana Pierre, assistant entertainment editor
