William Jackson Harper – “Did I Do That? Revenge of the (Black) Nerd”

Pop culture has traditionally not been kind to nerds in general – they're usually the butt of the joke, considered romantically undesirable and portrayed as social misfits. And black nerds – both onscreen and in real life – often contend with an additional misperception: the insinuation or accusation that, by dint of their interests, hobbies or academic achievements, they are "acting white" and not being true to their race (see: Fresh Prince's Carlton vs. Will, Andre's fears about his son Junior in Black-ish's premise). The Rebeccas explore the history of Hollywood's most famous blerds and then talk to The Good Place star William Jackson Harper about what it means to be authentically black, authentically nerdy – and also authentically a romantic lead – all at once.
Hosted by: Rebecca Ford and Rebecca Sun
Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pop culture has traditionally not been kind to nerds in general – they're usually the butt of the joke, considered romantically undesirable and portrayed as social misfits. And black nerds – both onscreen and in real life – often contend with an additional misperception: the insinuation or accusation that, by dint of their interests, hobbies or academic achievements, they are "acting white" and not being true to their race (see: Fresh Prince's Carlton vs. Will, Andre's fears about his son Junior in Black-ish's premise). The Rebeccas explore the history of Hollywood's most famous blerds and then talk to The Good Place star William Jackson Harper about what it means to be authentically black, authentically nerdy – and also authentically a romantic lead – all at once.

Hosted by: Rebecca Ford and Rebecca Sun

Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices