Desperate Housewives and Race
A trend that I noticed while watching *Desperate Housewives* is the glaring absence and problematic portrayal of Black characters and people of color in general. Throughout the series, Black characters are almost nonexistent, and the few times they do appear, they are depicted in some of the most negative and harmful ways.
For example, the only Black family introduced in the earlier seasons is shown in an incredibly disturbing light. The mother, Betty Applewhite, locks her own son in the basement because he was accused of killing a white girl. This portrayal is especially troubling considering the show is filled with deeply flawed parents, yet the only Black family is depicted as the most grotesque and morally corrupt. Bree’s son Andrew killed Carlos’s mother, yet his family protected him, and he continued to live a relatively normal life. The stark contrast in how these two families are treated raises unsettling questions about how race is portrayed in the show.
The show also portrays Black characters in other degrading ways. For instance, when Carlos is in jail, a Black couple is shown arguing, and the argument centers around the Black man’s sexuality, with insinuations that he might be gay. The wife is depicted as unattractive and overweight, playing into harmful stereotypes. It’s disheartening that the few Black characters are either criminalized or depicted in an unflattering, almost dehumanizing manner.
Moreover, the show’s treatment of people of color in general is problematic. Gabrielle’s children, who are Mexican, are so disconnected from their heritage that they don’t even realize they are Mexican. Gabrielle herself is portrayed as uncomfortable around other Mexican people, as it reminds her of her impoverished background, Not to mention Gabrielle being the only person who cheats on her partner in such a cruel manner with no rumors, further pushing the idea of Hispanic women having an unnaturally higher sex drive, she is never truly forgiven as they bring it up all the way till the end of the show
This narrative subtly reinforces the idea that upward mobility and assimilation into whiteness are desirable, while connections to one’s cultural roots are seen as a source of shame.
In an apparent attempt to address the lack of diversity, the show introduces a biracial Black woman in later seasons. However, this character is so racially ambiguous that if she didn’t repeatedly mention she was Black, it would be hard to tell. With her blond hair, blue eyes, and straight hair, she hardly represents a typical Black woman, and her inclusion feels more like a token gesture than a meaningful representation of Black identity.
Despite my love for *Desperate Housewives* and the entertainment it provided, the way people of color, especially Black characters, are portrayed leaves much to be desired. Each time race or ethnicity is addressed, it often comes across as cringeworthy or deeply flawed, reflecting broader issues of racial representation in television at the time. It’s a reminder that while the show excelled in many areas, it fell short in its portrayal of diversity, reinforcing harmful stereotypes instead of offering authentic, respectful representation.