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Everything Gonna Be, Okay?! (My Master's Thesis!)

  • Writer: Afiya John
    Afiya John
  • Jan 13
  • 3 min read

After three of the longest years of my natural born life, I am finally done with grad school! It took a lot to get here, from mental health challenges to mistreatment from my department, deaths in my family, car accidents, challenges in my interpersonal relationships, the list truly goes on. But, I'm here, I'm done, and I'm ready to embark on the next chapter/phase of my life, starting with sharing my writing!


In one of my previous posts, I wrote "A Love Letter to Insecure," and I'd like to think that this thesis is a scholarly/academic extension of that. I even got to thank Issa Rae in person for creating such an amazing body of work that scholar-creatives like myself can sink our teeth into, which I said I hoped I’d get to do at the end of that post (see below!!). In doing the planning and outlining for this research, my professors really pushed me to think past talking about Insecure solely because I love the show so that it isn’t just a love letter and it actually has scholarly value to it; after all, this is a Master‘s thesis and research is the name of the game (let them tell it). I can’t remember exactly how I narrowed it down to the topic it became, but know that it took a lot of hard work and dedication. To prevent my brain from overheating, I’m just going to include the caption I wrote about this thesis on Instagram, and, without further ado, my thesis is available in PDF form at the bottom of this post. Thank you so much for taking the time to read all of this and engage with my work — I’m ways eager to continue this conversation as I work my way into becoming a TV writer/producer/exec, so feel free to share your thoughts! Happy reading!


Instagram Caption (@afiyajannah__) :


“How different would my life be if I actually went after what I wanted?” This question, posed by Issa Dee in the pilot episode of HBO’s Insecure, is one that I believe more and more Black women should ask themselves. It encapsulates the power of imagining lives unbound by societal expectations and demands for perfection—an act that lies at the heart of Black feminism.


My master’s thesis uses Black feminism and Black feminist comedy as its framework to explore the journey of Issa Dee through the “Precarious Girl” trope. By centering humor—a tool Black women have historically wielded as both a coping mechanism and a source of joy—Insecure transforms vulnerability and precarity into powerful acts of self-discovery and resistance.


At the core of my analysis are the final three “Mirror B*tch” scenes from the series finale, “Everything Gonna Be, Okay?!”. These scenes, where Issa confronts her reflection at pivotal moments, highlight the evolution of her character. The mirror serves as more than a reflection of her appearance—it becomes a space for her deepest fears, desires, and eventual self-acceptance to emerge. The series finale poignantly ties together themes of precarity, humor, and self-reflection as Issa evolves from uncertainty to empowerment.


By foregrounding the experiences of Black women and embracing imperfection, Insecure disrupts harmful stereotypes and creates space for Black women to exist fully, joyfully, and authentically. It embodies the legacy of Black feminist storytelling, demonstrating that joy and vulnerability are not only acts of resistance but also pathways to reimagine ourselves and our futures.


💡 What role do you think storytelling plays in shaping how we see ourselves and each other? Share your thoughts below!




 
 
 

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