EDITORIAL: Mighty Morphin Black History Time

Walter Emanuel Jones, the original Black Ranger, Zack Taylor

	By Joe Hendrix, Education & Youth Reporter, The Real Chi

Growing up, I found myself being able to connect to programs on television where I saw myself represented. Diversity and inclusion is the difference between someone feeling left out, and someone feeling accepted and safe. For a very long time, popular entertainment programs lacked even the basic level of representation. That’s why it’s important to highlight people who have paved the way for the progress we have now. And one of those people is Walter Emanuel Jones, who famously portrayed the original Black Ranger, Zack Taylor, in the early seasons of The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers tv show and the first movie. 

The Power Rangers originally aired in 1993. Since then it has become a decades long, multi-season running franchise. The entertainment industry was still scratching the surface in terms of Black representation on screen, especially for children. The series was set in Angel Shore, a fictional California town, where aliens and monsters were fended off by five teens with attitude. However, one teen specifically had a bit more swagger than most. In the original casting call, Zack, an African-American teenager, is described as “streetwise, cocky, fast talking, black teen. Cool dance moves required.” Now, to many this may look like the most stereotypical description of a young Black male, but I believe it is important to remember the times we were living in.

It’s entirely possible that if the show did not find someone who could deliver a performance with the charisma and charm similar to what Jones brought to the character there might not have been a Black character on the show at all. While the characteristics may seem dated, many famous Black characters in 90’s television/movies were all in this archetype but not very many made for kids programming.

Several iterations of the Power Rangers have been on tv for quite some time with an ever-changing roster of characters. Over the years, there have been quite a few Black characters (many of which display characteristics different from 90’s cool Black guy) and some who have even led the show as the team leader. Walter Emanuel Jones was important in laying the foundation for that to happen and his contribution to Black history should not be overlooked.