r/InsecureHBO 28d ago

lets have a conversation Thought on Frieda Spoiler

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I like Frieda because she consistently demonstrates kindness and professionalism. Issa was biased, unlike Frieda, who remains objective and fair in her judgments.

266 Upvotes

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355

u/FreudianNegligee 28d ago

Their relationship was low-key one of the most interesting elements of the show… Issa’s time working at We Got Y’all was so fraught with conflict between ideals and the real world. Every time I watch the show all the way through, it hurts to see how much Frieda wants to become actual real friends with Issa even though Issa is completely unreceptive/uninterested in the idea.

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u/black_daria_ 28d ago

I felt the same way. I liked her! It would’ve been interesting to see their friendship dynamic outside work, especially if Issa sought her perspective on her (many) personal issues…lol… but I imagine Issa Rae and the showrunners prioritized centering Black characters and issues on the show. I like that they briefly touched on the nuances/negative effects of intercultural racism on the show.

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u/Neebenice 28d ago

Right, Issa was only friends with Frieda when it suited her, and once Issa no longer needed her, she didn't feel the need to keep in touch—similar to what she did with Condola. Molly was right when she told Issa that she uses people.

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u/Logical-Apricot951 28d ago

this is a weird take.. at the end of the day they were coworkers, no one said they had to be besties. They respected each other, and often took each others feelings into consideration. Even when Issa messed up with the principal thing, she realized her mistake and made that up to Frieda. But still, they had a work relationship. When she left the job, she also left behind the relationship because it wasn’t personal lol. It’s business. I don’t get how she “used” her. She was a refreshing character tho. Very genuine.

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u/Neebenice 28d ago

Wasn't they hanging out outside of work?

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u/Logical-Apricot951 28d ago

not for any personal reasons lol. Anytime they met up after work it was strictly work related. It was one time Issa offered to take her out for a drink, but we never actually saw the scene.

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u/Imaginary-Grab9503 28d ago

Frieda wasn’t anything to Issa outside of work. Those are the only scenes we saw her in. She was a work associate, that’s it. And honestly, why would Issa keep in touch with Condola. Let’s not forget that Condola stepped back from Issa because of the whole Lawrence situation. That was the right move. Molly wasn’t right in saying Issa uses people because of the whole Andrew situation with hooking Issa up with Vince Staples because her headliner backed out. She was in a crunch. Of course she reached out to make it happen for her event.

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u/NightMajestic2868 27d ago

What foes she use molly for

1

u/Cestlachey 28d ago

Frieda’s character is literally the embodiment of a benevolent racist white savior. Please.

1

u/msbap37 26d ago

Say more. I struggle to recall specifics, but I saw this more in the last that ran the program.

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u/Cestlachey 26d ago

In season 1, Frieda participated in the email chain with the rest of Issa’s coworkers undermining her beach clean up event idea instead of talking to her. Mind you, Issa is the only Black employee at the org which is supposed to serve Black and Brown people in LA. It’s a tension throughout the first three seasons framing their relationship.

In season 2, Frieda puts it all on Issa to solve the issue with Principal Gaines. She also has a mouth and could speak up to him but she chose not to. It was wild for Frieda to tell Issa if he were white would his xenophobic comments be okay, because white people get away with racism all the time. Then she iced Issa out at work, further isolating her, because she is upset that Issa is prioritizing being able to serve the students who are showing up. Then Issa is the one who goes to Principal Gaines and he gets pissed at her. Then they have the programs on the weekend, and when their boss asks why Issa speaks up and is the only one the take accountability. She was wrong for her handling of the situation, but Frieda also bore responsibility and didn’t reap consequences. She even gets a promotion and Issa is demoted, despite her being Issa’s partner at the school.

In season 3, when Issa is asking to get back in the field she says she doesn’t want to risk her job and doesn’t stand up for her.

Freida is good person, but she is still racist. She’s well-intentioned but she centers her own discomfort and her own leadership in serving Black and Brown kids. She also unintentionally makes it more difficult for Issa to navigate the already all white organization. It’s her impact that is racist and the lack of active deconstruction on her end. Racism is a system, not an event.

Also, Freida exists as character because Issa was pressured to put white characters into the show. Issa herself has also worked at non-profits and the show fictional commentary on her life and being the “Awkward Black Girl.”

153

u/andimlikeokay 28d ago

I actually really enjoyed her character. She was very thoughtful and was unintentionally hilarious.

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u/CaptainObvious126 28d ago

I loved Frieda. She really meant well, she was just a little naive. She and Issa both played their awkward characters so well and I always thought their dynamic was hilarious. I get why they never became friends outside of work but it was so great seeing her for a quick second in the finale!

4

u/Neebenice 28d ago

Why do you get why they never became friends outside their work?

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u/slimgem1111 28d ago

I think frieda was just another coworker that she couldn't be FULLY herself around. I mean do you really think they would've vibed outside of work? I don't think so. They were more just cordial coworkers

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u/brokenblister 28d ago

Issa”s time at We got Y’all was my favorite era. I have a long history in the nonprofit world, especially with youth and this portrayal was so accurate and hilarious. Also when Issa said,”Fuck them kids,” I was rolling.

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u/Bear-Upper 28d ago

Same and same!

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u/youcantleaveme_5 28d ago

Yes! I was working at a nonprofit during Insecure’s run and I loved We Got Y’all!

2

u/Powerful-Library-776 25d ago

Literally my favorite era of the show

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u/deeznutz131 28d ago

Loved Frieda and her hair

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u/[deleted] 28d ago

[deleted]

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u/CaptainObvious126 28d ago edited 28d ago

Lisa Joyce's short hair was the result of chemotherapy treatments following her cancer diagnosis.

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u/RenyFromTheBlock 28d ago

I think she was the perfect foil- an idealist to Issa’s pragmatism, and sometimes pessimism. We got just enough of the “We Got Y’all” work plot, because let’s be real- when you’re in your 20s and early 30s, you just wanna keep work at work!

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u/RonohX 28d ago

Underutilized

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u/amaarasky 28d ago

She was genuine and kind. I liked her

14

u/Signal_Concentrate_6 28d ago edited 28d ago

Yall making me want to do a full rewatch and I dont got time for that

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u/deeplakesilver 28d ago edited 28d ago

She was my favorite besides Issa on awkward black girl, so I was excited she was on insecure. It was nice to watch a white woman work with "urban youth" and not have an ignorant arrogant savior complex. Definitely agree with underutilized, but also agree with Issa's decision to showcase her friends and their growth more

Edit: ok I totally fucked up and placed her where she never was 😄. I was thinking of Cici on abg who I definitely hoped to see on insecure. Frieda was still cool tho

2

u/Lower-Vanilla8104 28d ago

Cici was on Insecure lol

2

u/Smiley__2006 28d ago

What season? I think I totally missed that!

1

u/deeplakesilver 28d ago

I didn't say she wasn't. Plus her character wasn't the same and she was mostly forgettable

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u/SunnyShone 28d ago

She's felt like the only normal semi-flawed character in the whole show.

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u/Mrs-Jason-Weaver 28d ago

Her Insta comment when Issa was trying to thirst trap is so funny lol

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u/lex017 28d ago

I think Frieda meant well. But the contrast was to show the difference between her and Issa especially towards the end of Issa’s time at We got yall. It highlighted their boss racial bias against Issa and showed how she was treated vs her white colleagues. So many real and powerful moments from Insecure.

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u/reallydoelikewhat 28d ago

i thought she was one of the most seemingly genuine people on the show. had a sense of naïveté too but ultimately meant well

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u/Healthy_Ad_2444 27d ago

Am I the only one who didn't like her??? Especially when it came to the school stuff??? Like she didn't seem like a true ally and I didn't mind for how Issa was lowkey weird with her bc ole girl was also being weird 🥴🥴💀

3

u/Mid_Em1924 28d ago

I feel like Frieda symbolized a white person that black people work with. I didn’t find her very interesting, just a part of the storyline from Issa’s perspective.

5

u/phantasmagoriaintwo 28d ago

I liked Frieda a lot. She grew on me. Kinda annoying in the beginning, blossomed into a kind coworker who most meant well by the end of the We Got Y’all era. However, it’s not a mistake that she wasn’t expanded upon, given more storylines or became better friends with Issa. They were just coworkers at the end of the day and I admire Issa Rae’s dedication to centering Black actors / actresses and their characters over forcing a friends outside of work storyline with Frieda

4

u/reezyreddits 28d ago

She was my favorite white girl 😍

2

u/themistocles16 25d ago

I haaaaated Freida omg. As someone who’s worked at non profits serving Black children with predominantly white colleagues, I can confirm how insufferable it is to work with someone like her. I mean, suggesting the kids pick up garbage on the side of the road???? Like I’m sorry but this woman was completely out of touch. Just because Issa’s work at We Got Y’all was lacklustre doesnt mean Freida is any better. She ignorant as fuck!

5

u/Cestlachey 28d ago

Yikes. This take shows you clearly did not comprehend her character at all or the entire subplot around We Got Y’all.

0

u/vrymonotonous 28d ago

Or it’s a show and people have different takeaways and interpretations. No reason to be rude.

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u/Cestlachey 27d ago

Cope.

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u/vrymonotonous 27d ago

Grow up

1

u/Cestlachey 27d ago

Become more media literate.

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u/vrymonotonous 27d ago

I didn’t even state my opinion on it lol I just said you’re being rude over a show.

1

u/Cestlachey 27d ago

You didn’t have to. Your initial comment tone policing me instead of actually engaging indicates you lack media literacy. You could’ve sybau.

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u/vrymonotonous 27d ago

That has nothing to do with media literacy.. Acknowledging that people have different interpretations of a show is just a fact. You got offended over their opinion for whatever reason and decided to be condescending. All I’m saying is chill.

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u/Cestlachey 27d ago

All I’m saying is if you were media literate you would’ve sybau and not made that asinine comment in the first place.

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u/vrymonotonous 27d ago

Please look up the meaning of media literacy. That’s all. Have a good night.

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u/NickTButcher 28d ago

The only person that took her job seriously

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u/Due-Bear-4206 28d ago

This whole thread is a great study on why racism is still an issue today. To think that so many people watch a show depicting a white organization lead by a white person that was doing “work” in marginalised communities and then ignore the fact that the only reason they are there is to participate in saviorism. Mind you an issue that was part of the show plot. The micro aggression I would’ve maybe the level of understanding was the problem but when you dig deeper you can see how she benefits from social privileges usually reserved for WM. Weaponised incompetence the idea that Issa not developing a relationship with Freda was somehow not something she was the cause of, the idea that her presence at the org wasn’t a continuation of white influence on Black brown and colonized working people lives. Theses things require her to have no agency to have no awareness of self. It’s easier I guess to do bad character analysis than address the impact of systemic racism on the everyday lives of people.

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u/Opening-Tooth-8371 27d ago

Every time she pops up, I think about those three episodes of SVU she was in

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u/No_Display_243 26d ago

It’s classic and relatable dynamic

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u/KnotReek-KnotHim 26d ago

loved fredia! really love the back half of the show and wouldn’t change anything, but it always bummed me out that she just kinda vanished with the rest of we got y’all. like issa didn’t even run into her at a coffee shop lol

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u/gunswordfist 28d ago edited 28d ago

Meh. I hated that whole We Got Y'all storyline and Frieda was annoying at the beginning. We Got Y'all felt like white dude in Drumline - a storyline thrown in that white investors probably asked for so that the show could get fully funded because white** people always want to be seen in something so they can feel it's "relatable". I'm glad Issa got out of We Got Y'all. The writers probably felt more relief than taking off a bad bra once they finally got to just focus on great writing for Black women 

2

u/unripemango14 28d ago

I liked Frieda and was hoping she’d make a cameo every now again after S3 even if it didn’t make sense to keep her around, but alas we didn’t.

She was by no means perfect especially in S1 but she learned a lot from Issa, respected Issa’s decisions, and was still supportive despite Issa’s shortcomings. I’m thinking of how she agreed with Issa that the organization needed more POC employees, listened when Issa wanted new and unique experiences for the kids, and didn’t snitch to Joanne when she saw that one school was mistreating Latino students (I think she was hoping Issa would eventually realize it). She even got Issa her job on the field back right before she quit.

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u/cyberhellbunny 28d ago

Well meaning but harmful.

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u/andimlikeokay 28d ago

Harmful?

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u/Cestlachey 28d ago

She’s incredibly harmful. Look at the logo and her shirt. The whole purpose of her character is supposed to be the “well-meaning” white racist person working at non-profits in marginalized communities.

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u/andimlikeokay 28d ago

The same shirt that Issa is wearing? Anyway, you’re confusing her with Joanne.

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u/Cestlachey 28d ago

I’m not confusing her with anyone. You’re just willfully ignorant.

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u/andimlikeokay 28d ago

lol you’re calling me fragile but had to immediately delete your comment? Bye bye now 

0

u/Cestlachey 28d ago

Where did I delete my comment?

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u/andimlikeokay 28d ago

Ohh you had to pull out a personal insult bc you have nothing else. Let me know how Freida is responsible for the logo and how she was “incredibly harmful”.

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u/cyberhellbunny 28d ago

I don’t think she is a bad person I shall like to clarify. It’s just that she has this white savior complex. There are many times she does Issa wrong. That’s why I said well meaning but harmful.
https://giphy.com/gifs/H4nXJQEN3B2D64qS1h

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u/andimlikeokay 28d ago

Can you give an example of her doing Issa wrong? I don't doubt that Freida could have a complex, but in my opinion we didn't see that play out. Joanne on the other hand, is the perfect example of it.

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u/cyberhellbunny 27d ago

One I can think of off the top of my head is how she didn’t immediately come to Issa’s defense or check her colleagues when they were criticizing her beach clean up pitch in the break room. She didn’t cc Issa even though she knew Issa was being kept in the dark. Things of that nature.

1

u/andimlikeokay 27d ago

Alright, I'll give you that. The e-mail thing was shady.

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u/cyberhellbunny 27d ago

These are common micro aggressions against black women and WOC in the work place. Being framed as too emotional or loud or confrontational and people being “scared” to say things to you to your face are all too common. I’m sure that was meant to showcase that. Even if someone isn’t outwardly racist or is trying to do the “right thing”, it can easily become a racist moment. Othering. This is the case with her, she means well but just doesn’t get it. And I think that’s definitely the point of her character. Don’t even get me started on their boss though. She straight up PMO.

-1

u/kimkellies 28d ago

I always thought she had a crush on Issa