"Want our African-American youth to be seen": When The Chi stars originally from Chicago talked about portraying the city's South Side stories 

When The Chi first premiered on Showtime, it not only invited us into the richness of South Side Chicago life but also into something greater: a cultural movement for the community, in which they were represented truthfully on television.

Led by Emmy-winning writer and home-grown girl Lena Waithe, the series was an ambitious effort to depict Black communities truthfully and believably. Filmed on location in Chicago, primarily on the South Side, the show was later extended due to its gritty atmosphere and commitment to reality.

The reality wasn't only in the script, but also in the casting. Several of the actors, including Shamon Brown Jr. (Papa), Michael Epps (Jake), and Yolonda Ross (Jada Washington), are all locals themselves. Their on-life experience constructed the reality of how the show was produced. Brown Jr., discussing his character, described how his character tries to remain a kid and is pushed towards adult issues, a not-unusual experience for many adolescents in similar communities.

The overall sense that ran through interviews was straightforward: these stories are for the kids who never really get to see themselves reflected beyond stereotypes.

Centering black youth on screen

In the interview with ABC 7 Chicago, The Chi actor Shamon Brown, who played the role of Papa, said,

"We want our African American youth (0:22) to be seen as beautiful instead of dangerous."

To this, Michael Epps added,

"He's trying to be friends and stay on the right track, (0:36) but at the same time, his brother is pulling him down that wrong path (0:40) and taking him away from his friends, which is, you know, hurting Jake (0:44) because Jake still wants to be a child."

This is based on what creators and cast members themselves have testified—that Black teens are owed stories where they are shown authentically. Brown Jr. returns with Papa, a teen struggling with friendships, familial expectations, and the peril of being steered down the wrong path. As he observes, "Jake still wants to be a child," highlighting the tension at the heart of the show's transformation process.

Michael Epps also contributes his own Chicago beginnings to the character. The result is a show that's more akin to a peep show into actual kids' lives, in actual neighborhoods. To the extent to which The Chi is a violent and 'hood-warfare show, it's a show about joy, about survival, and the day-to-day life.

Remarks of the creators

The Chi has come a long way after six seasons of intense drama, a pandemic production halt, and a protracted SAG and WGA strike. Season 6's second installment will debut on Paramount+ on May 10. The Chi, produced by three-time Grammy winner Common and hometown heroes Lena Waithe (Queen & Slim, Master of None), aims to portray realistic characters and add a degree of authenticity based on the producers' personal experiences.

As per Timeout, in 2021, creator and executive producer Waithe said,

"I wanted to take people that I knew growing up, and my family members as well, and write them in a way that I know them"

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However, at a crossroads, The Chi is redefining the way Black narratives are presented. The show aims to bring people together, whether it's local communities that'll never get to see themselves on television, or international fans who've had a Time Lord in their corner for decades. What's different is where and how it is transmitting those stories.

Also read: Where to watch The Chi? A complete guide to the streaming options

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