While last year’s announcement of Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth Chase caused significant discourse, Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians begins to shift its spotlight onto the developing relationship between Annabeth and Percy (Walker Scobell). If the show stays true to following the course of the books, that very relationship will cause many to engage in some deep introspection.

Black girls are supposed to be the side character. The best friend, the antagonist, the teacher, or the therapist. But we’re NOT supposed to be the main love interest, ESPECIALLY if the lead character is White and stems from a beloved series steeped in nostalgia. At least, these are the oftentimes unspoken beliefs and rules held by some fandoms, mirroring a society that has largely clung to those beliefs.

But recent blockbusters from films like Wicked and Wicked: For Good and the show Percy Jackson and the Olympians has forced many to do some introspection and answer a very simple question: Why? Why isn’t the Black girl/woman allowed to be the sole romantic interest of the White male protagonist? Why do we readily accept her as the best friend and especially the antagonist, but draw the line when it comes to interracial romantic relationships? Season 1 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians set the record straight, and the Season 2 premiere demonstrates that the storyline won’t be holding back. At last week’s premiere, I was pleased to see that show will not be shying away from exploring both characters’ feelings for each other.

As someone who attended PWI’s (predominantly White institutions) from Pre-K through undergrad on the East Coast, this belief system is beyond prevalent — it acutely defines how Black women move through society and how (if at all) we experience interracial relationships, specifically with White men. I’ll actually take it one step further, but please forgive my bluntness — attracting White men is hardly the root of the issue. What becomes an issue is when others feel as though White men are “theirs” or as though White men couldn’t possibly revere or desire a Black woman in a truly loving way. 

Now of course, not everyone feels this way or carries these beliefs. But when we look at the reception of Wicked: For Good for example, we see rampant discourse online ignoring a basic analytical assessment of the main cast’s relationships. Namely, we find individuals calling Elphaba a bad friend, even though Fiyero never truly loved Glinda. Few conversations from this same discourse hold Glinda accountable for manipulating Fieyro into an engagement. In the case of characters Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase, those who’ve read the books know that in the end, Percy and Annabeth become an undisputed powerhouse romantic couple. And although author Rick Riordan has spoken adamantly about his support of the casting of Jeffries as Annabeth, the moaning and complaining continue to pop-up online.

What shows like Percy Jackson and the Olympians is doing is monumental. What we’re seeing is the unspoken on full display. Many will be quick to point out the show Scandal and the relationship between Olivia (Kerry Washington) and Fitz (Tony Goldwyn). While it was certainly groundbreaking for its time, we’re now seeing younger characters being featured in main cast interracial relationships. I think that is what’s scary for many people — a fear that the upcoming younger generations are disengaging from archaic prejudices, and instead moving toward a society based on love. Love of who someone is innately attractive, and not solely based on their race or any external factors. I find that most of the negative discourse can be attributed to fear within those who’ve upheld these beliefs that were likely passed down from previous generations. The fear that yes, White men find Black (or green in the case of Elphaba) women attractive. That it also extends beyond physical attraction and can develop into true love. Furthermore, the fear that Black women undoubtedly deserve the fairytale ending that many yearn for. That we’ve always deserved it, and it has often been overlooked in media. But let me assure you — there’s room enough for everyone to find love and meet the person of their dreams. If someone else finds it, that is solely confirmation that true love does exist in this world, and that regardless of skin tone, ethnicity, and race, we are all deserving of it.

You can watch the 2-episode Season 2 premiere of Percy Jackson and the Olympians on December 10 on Disney+.