Growing up watching TV as a kid, there were only a few black cartoon characters that black children could identify with. There was Gerald on Hey Arnold, Patty Mayonnaise on Doug, Vince on Recess and a few others sprinkled in between. But if you're a true 90s kid you were a Rugrats mega-fan, and you probably had a favorite. For many little black girls, it was Susie Carmichael. She was a badass, dark-skinned black girl with natural hair who was kindhearted but didn't take any nonsense, from anybody. Angelica included. The show debuted on August 11th, 1991 and brought a fresh spin to the animated black girl. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Rugrats, here are 25 reasons why Susie Carmichael is one of the greatest black cartoon characters of all time.
1. Her character was voiced by Cree Summer who played Freddie Brooks on A Different World.
Photo: IMDB/Nickelodeon
2.She introduced culture to white suburbia.
Photo: Nickelodeon
3. Taught the babies all of the popular black dances.
Photo: Nickelodeon
4. And maybe even showed them a thing or two about cooking.
Photo: Nickelodeon
5. She was perpetually unbothered by Angelica's nonsense.
Photo: Nickelodeon
6. Literally. Her shade-throwing skills surpass any other three-year-old.
Photo: Nickelodeon
7. But she was never afraid to cry.
Photo: Nickelodeon
8. Demand what she wanted.
Photo: Nickelodeon
9. Be a leader.
Photo: Nickelodeon
10. Get angry for the cause.
Photo: Nickelodeon
11. Defend the babies from Angelica.
Photo: Nickelodeon
12. Or anybody else who tried to mess with them.
Photo: Nickelodeon
13. She wasn't afraid of Angelica's white tears.
Photo: Nickelodeon
14. Or, to have her back, when she needed to.
Photo: Nickelodeon via Tumblr
15. Susie could be the ultimate ride-or-die when Angelica needed her the most.
Photo: Nickelodeon
16. And, her kindness was unmatched.
Photo: Nickelodeon
17. She showed love in every way that she could.
Photo: Nickelodeon
18. Was unapologetically black.
Photo: Nickelodeon
19. Immensely talented.
Photo: Nickelodeon
20. And, smart AF. She could speak 10 languages by the time they were in high school.
Photo: Nickelodeon
21. Susie's family values remained a priority.
Photo: Nickelodeon
22. With a real black granny who was always here for the hugs.
Photo: Nickelodeon
23. And parents that played NO games.
Photo: Nickelodeon
24. But, at the end of the day, Susie was just a regular magical black girl.
Photo: Nickelodeon via Tumblr
25. And the friend that we wish we all had.
Photo: Nickelodeon
