Ep 8. Being Bow-racial

Being Bow-racial is the eighth episode of the third season of the American sitcom television series Black-ish. The episode was first aired on November 30, 2016, on ABC and was directed by Ken Whittingham and written by Gail Lerner.

In this episode, Bow struggles with her identity as she tries to adjust to the many cultures in her family. She feels like she does not fit in with any race, being mixed race herself. Bow's father is white and her mother is African American. Bow feels different, and growing up, she did not feel like she belonged in either camp. She was too black for the white kids and too white for the black kids, and this has led to a plethora of issues with her identity.

As Bow's character navigates through life, she realizes that she needs to address the feelings of not fitting in and being "othered" in her life. The episode shows the importance of accepting where you come from and being comfortable in one's own skin. The episode strikes a chord with the audience as it tackles identity issues that many multiracial individuals face.

Being Bow-racial deals with a necessary conversation surrounding race identity, and what it's like for individuals who are of different ethnic backgrounds. The episode acknowledges that race is a complex issue that can bring forth different emotions and complexities. The episode raises excellent questions about how one defines themself in a world that still has rigid racial definitions.

Overall, Being Bow-racial showcases an essential view of the complexities of multiracial identity. Through the struggles and successes of Bow's character, the episode identifies that being “othered” is something that many individuals face and highlights that it is okay not to fit into one specific mold. The episode tackles difficult social issues without being preachy, and its light-hearted approach is a breath of fresh air that engages audiences, making them think deeply about the societal norms that restrict people from fully embracing their unique identities.