Systemic Oppression In Kimmy Schmidt's 'Unbreakable'

Jacqueline’s character makes the viewers consider how they might be compliant in terms of systemic oppression by opening the discussion about internalized racism. She subtly embodies how racial inequality shapes the way that people with marginalized identities think of themselves and other members within their group. Researchers say that when marginalized racial groups accept and internalize mainstream racist values and rationales, they are often unconsciously justifying the oppression of their group with a belief in own inferiority (Pyke and Dang 168). These are not things that people think through consciously, they are ingrained in our culture, and Unbreakable allows people another lens through which they can view society.
Xanthippe Voorhees
One of the best strengths of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is that it revolves around the narrative of “otherness” and the idea that outsiders come in all shapes and forms. For instance, Titus, Kimmy’s gay, black roommate falls outside the traditional definition of masculinity with a his passion for Barbies and The Lion King. However, Jacqueline’s step-daughter Xanthippe
In fact, all of the women in the main cast reinforce this body standard because they are all White and thin. According to studies, it is hard for women who fall outside of this archetype to see themselves as attractive when television is bombarding them with images of thin women all the time. It is hard for women to accept how they look when they feel pressured into losing weight by television (Pyke and Dang 148). If contemporary television shows, such as Unbreakable, want to truly send the message of female empowerment, they should make more of an effort to demonstrate different body types in order to encourage women to embrace their bodies, no matter the size of their