So, you're hip. You're smart. You've got class. And when you say "Some of My Best Friends Are X", you want people to know that there is credibility behind that statement. What's the best way to show it? By having a black Best Friend!
Your black best friend is sassy. She's never too busy to lend an ear, or come along on your wacky schemes. She is flawless to the point of being unreal. (Until it's time to save the day of course. That's what white heroes are for.) Is it because she has no love life, no apartment, and no family? It's hard to say, but there's one thing for sure. She has a cell phone, and never ignores your calls.
Note: This is a black character whose role either A) revolves almost entirely around a white character or B) serves as a conscious effort for a white character/writer to appear inclusive. Simply being black as well as friends with a white character does not automatically make a character this trope. A black character who's shown to be just as relevant as their white counterparts does not count as this trope. Black characters with their own story, their own distinguished identity and goals; characters who undergo personal growth shouldn't be listednote . In addition, black people in Real Life should definitely not be listed. Living beings do not exist in accordance to another person based on ethnicity.
See also Magical Negro, Token Minority, Satellite Character, and Gay Best Friend. May also be Black and Nerdy. Some of the clunkier examples of Token White invert the race aspect of this trope,note being someone there just to add diversity to a cast.
Token Black Friend has been suggested to play 13 roles. Click below to see other actors suggested for each role, and vote for who you think would play the role best.
