Captain Durag and the Black Character | This Take May Surprise You

The discussion around Captain Durag reveals something deeper about how characters are built today.

Too often, creators hyperemphasize cultural identity in ways that overshadow storytelling. Instead of creating a hero who happens to be Black, they create a Black hero whose defining trait is signaling culture.

In this video, I explain why that approach limits longevity, why audiences respond to strong characters over messaging, and why tasteful cultural nods work best when they’re not the entire meal.

Characters endure because they’re compelling — not because they check a box.