#10 - How ‘Ginny & Georgia,’ ‘PEN15,’ and ‘All American’ Represent the Mixed Race Experience

Guest Liv starts us off by singing the anthem for this episode: “she’s biracial…she’s a biracial girl…”  Maria, with the help of Liv and her mixed-race perspective, trace the journeys of three mixed-race characters: Ginny Miller from GINNY & GEORGIA (2021-present) Maya Ishii-Peters from PEN15 (2019-2021), and Olivia Baker from ALL AMERICAN (2018–present). From talking back to racist AP English teachers to embracing Black identity through activism to moment(s) we dub the Scary Spice Effect, these three recent teen dramas tackle all sides of growing up mixed-race in our racist ass society—and the nuances of feeling constantly caught between two cultures.

For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with GINNY & GEORGIA Season 1, streaming on Netflix; PEN15 Seasons 1-2, streaming on Hulu; and ALL AMERICAN Seasons 1-4, streaming on Netflix and the CW.

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ABOUT US:

MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead

OLIVIA “LIV” CHRISTIAN (she/her; recurring guest) is a writer and freelance digital marketer living in Los Angeles, CA. When she’s not writing screenplays or working on ways to help her clients shine, you can find her watching teen dramas and hanging on the couch with her cat Rumble. IG: yung.scorp twitter: _yungscorp

CHARLES O’LEARY (they/them; art) is, of course, a Brooklyn-based designer, artist, and dilettante. A survivor of the 2012-2016 Tumblr wars, media criticism is all they know. You can find their work at charles-oleary.com, and their silly little life on Instagram at @c.s.0.l.

JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.

Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned. 

intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats

All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.