On the season finale of Sleepy Hollow, the talented and loved Nicole Beharie’s character was killed. Understandably, these things happen in television shows, death is a device that can serve great purpose to advance the plot, create suspense for the viewer, and change the circumstances of the other people on screen. However, die hard fandom members were of the opinion that this character death was motivated by something very different.
I’m disgusted! Another POC basically bullied out of a job much like Ricky! Nicole Beharie. SHAMEFUL! #SleepyHollow pic.twitter.com/mRVARIswKD
— How Regina Sees It (@Keepin_It_Evil) April 10, 2016
In the defense of this character and actress, that on a large scale is a representation of all black and PoC characters that shows decide to erase due to perceived expendability instead of in the name of good storytelling. @MissIVY_League started #IAmAbbieMills. The point of the hashtag is for black women and others that connected with Beharie’s character to share how being represented on screen is about more than fandom, or vanity, but about worth.
Because black women are more than props
Sad to think someone actually told Nicole Beharie she wasnt good enough. Guess the #SleepyHollow writers and FOX did pic.twitter.com/Oe3SNMaj8F
— Flo (@phxfloaz) April 11, 2016
I am a Black Woman who has been hired to lead & then relegated to the background. #IAmAbbieMills
— Leslie Mac (@LeslieMac) April 10, 2016
So #AbbieMills was dispensable…not to me! She was a Hero #IAmAbbieMills
— Regina Clement (@clement_regina) April 9, 2016
Because they are complex, multifaceted people deserving of respect
#IAmAbbieMills because I’m brainy, unconventional, and outspoken, but front to guard my 💓because the world isn’t kind to women like me.
— Indigo (@Skyliting) April 10, 2016
I loved Abbie’s warmth, silliness, intelligence, fierce loyalty and how she loved her people. I completely identified w/her. #IAmAbbieMills
— Jenét Morrow (@JenetAllDay) April 10, 2016
Because Black women inspire other Black women to be great
For every little Black girl w skinned knees & kinky hair who ran across the playground with a hero’s journey in her heart #IAmAbbieMills
— Beharie☥Boyega☥Zayn (@Melan8edFangrl) April 9, 2016
@behariearmy @NikkiBeharieWCE I say #IAMAbbieMills because Abbie truly is/was the audience she was us.We followed her point of view and
— AicylA (@MissIVY_League) April 9, 2016
Because great characters tell stories, not premises
#IAmAbbieMills Abbie is what brought me to #SleepyHollow, Abbie is why I stayed, and now that she’s removed from the show; she’s why I left.
— Black Girl Nerds (@BlackGirlNerds) April 10, 2016
She was an awesome, strong, yet humanly vulnerable character. Abby was the reason i watched the show.
#IAmAbbieMills #SleepyHollowFinale— LeatherwoodHarris09 (@Leatherwood09) April 11, 2016
Responsible representation is no longer an option, it’s a necessity
#IAmAbbieMills bc seeing a black lead female character so easily accept her Supernatural path was amazingly inspiring.
— Stephani (@Synaestatic) April 11, 2016
Didnt think I could get into a show like #SleepyHollow. Not a genre I watch. This woman changed that #IAmAbbieMills pic.twitter.com/VcH7sGm95E
— Sheena Nicole (@theSheenaB) April 11, 2016
Dreams crushed. Nicole Beharie deserved better. So much better. I hate them for destroying this. #SleepyHollow pic.twitter.com/u4SxeFeHqD
— Flo (@phxfloaz) April 10, 2016
#IAmAbbieMills could be written off as just another overreacting fandom, and the character’s death as a part of the way network television goes. But from the fan reaction, the behavior of the show’s executive office, and the quotes from the actress herself, it has to do with more than that. The argument has also been made that representation is not a real problem with little, to no, damaging effects on us as people. However, art imitates life, and vice versa. And the ideas/concepts portrayed on screen resonate with everyone, especially the youth. If television is just another place where black people and PoC’s get to hear and see that their lives mean less than others, the repercussions will matter whether you believe it or not. Rightfully so, Sleepy Hollow will have considerably less viewers should they come back for another season, hopefully they understand our value then.