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When Issa Rae made the leap from YouTube sensation to bonafide HBO star, millennials rejoiced. We saw Issa go from Awkward Black Girl to Hollywood, red carpets, awards shows, and interviews — but one thing we didn’t see her go for was protection on her hit show, Insecure.
We love seeing Issa navigate relationships and dating on screen, but fans have questioned the message the show promotes about sexual health. We’re not looking to HBO to give us a sex ed lesson, but while we’ve consistently seen characters get it in, we’ve never seen them use condoms.
I thought I’m the only one who watches insecure or most shows and think, ‘don’t you people use protection?’ pic.twitter.com/if7TgqvS9h— Travelling Foodie (@na_sio_lizz) August 10, 2017
“Insecure’s beauty, its greatness, is in its details,” says Very Smart Brothers’ Jozen Cummings. “From the way the characters talk to each other to Issa’s brief depictions of her alter ego, Insecure has thrived because it depicts a reality that is drenched in awkward moments, and one of those awkward moments for anybody who has ever taken part in casual sex is what do with a condom.”
Issa Rae took to Twitter to give Insecure fans an explanation.
We tend to place condoms in the backgrounds of scenes or imply them. But we hear you guys and will do better next season. #InsecureHBO pic.twitter.com/q9quKK3ZB8— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) August 14, 2017
While Issa was receptive to fans’ concerns, show runner Prentice Penny said folks need to chill, tweeting that Insecure is “not a PSA, documentary, non profit organization.”
We are not a PSA, documentary, non profit organization. I’m done discussing this.— Prentice Penny (@The_A_Prentice) August 12, 2017
Lots of fans were #unbothered by the whole issue.
“Insecure didn’t show Issa paying her rent this month. How she still in her apartment?! That ain’t realistic!”That’s how y’all sound.
— Slum Beautiful (@TheJazzyBelle) August 14, 2017
Y’all worried about the missing condoms on Insecure more than the ones missing from your ow…nvrmind. ♂️— MH (@SirMikeH) August 9, 2017
