Refuse to be Typecast

Jenifer Lewis from Essence

Jenifer Lewis, the actress pictured, is known for being “The Mother of Black Hollywood.” Many of you saw the picture and said, “That’s Dre’s mother from blackish, Toni’s mother from Girlfriends, or somebody’s mama from some show or movie. She has embraced the “sassy matriarch” so much, that she even wrote a book about it. When an actor is constantly given the same type of role based on previous roles - that actor is said to be typecast. In reality, she is an author, activist, and entertainer, who rose to fame acting on Broadway. No matter how one-dimensional she may appear to be, she is multifaceted.

And so are we.

Robert Greene said: “Do not accept the role that society (no matter which one) foists on you.” It could be subtle or brazen. It may be ingrained in policy or entrenched in belief systems. The goal is the same: to confine.

None of us fits neatly into one box or has the monopoly on being “one thing.” We are not “just” our gender, race, ethnicity, physical appearance, political affiliation, social status, job title, calling, zip code, or anything else. We all have diverse strengths, talents, and giftings, as well as areas of weakness and improvement. The problem occurs – when we allow ourselves to be pigeon-holed, whether by others or ourselves. We have been told to “stay in or lane” and as a result have limited ourselves to new experiences and growth opportunities.

LeBron James from LABR

This phenomenon happens in families, schools, in the marketplace, and even in ministry. Have you been typecast as the “good” son or the “bad” daughter?  What about the nerd, jock, hottie, class clown, teacher’s pet, or stoner? At work – are you the office trouble maker, brown-noser, problem-solver, or task master? What about teacher, preacher, worshipper, or server?

We are not static characters on a page or one-trick ponies.  We are complex and layered, and we have a right to evolve. Why can’t athletes take a stand against social injustice or engage in thoughtful discourse about the country in which they live without being told “to shut up and play ball?” Why can’t models offer insight on political issues without being told “to stand there and look pretty?” Who says that ministers of the Gospel can’t create art – whether fine or performance without being labeled “worldly”?

Throughout the ages, men and women accomplished great things, when they dared to venture outside of their defined roles. In the bible, David was the youngest of his brothers, but he was chosen by God to be King (1 Samuel 16: 11-13). Imagine if David would have forgone his position, because he didn’t have the look, size, or birth order that others deemed appropriate? When David is first introduced, he is tending sheep. He was a shepherd, but he didn’t just stay a shepherd. He would also become a warrior, psalmist, and prophet - among other things. David accepted new assignments and allowed God to grow him in many areas.

God desires the same for us. Refuse to be type cast by anyone – even if that is yourself. 

© 2019 by Antoinette V. Barber