Popcorn Perspectives

Terri Minsky is paving the way for children’s media and network television through her hit Disney Channel show Andi Mack!

Minsky set many first for the Disney Channel network and children’s television with her latest show tackling many real world topics that have yet to be featured on children’s shows and breaking down barriers along the way.

Breaking Down Barriers:

1st Asian Family

Her latest show for the Disney Channel Andi Mack is the first show on the network to star and be focused around an asian-american family. Following 13-year-old Andi Mack (Payton Elizabeth Lee) on the trails and tribulations of growing up and the struggles of middle school.

The show is the first to acknowledge an Asian characters heritage, with references to holidays and culture! It is the second time the network time the network explore Asian culture, the first being Wendy Wu Homecoming Warrior. Which was riddled with stereotypes and misconseptions of Asian culture.

In season two episode two the network celebrated Chinese New Year for the first time on a show! As Andi invites her boyfriend Jonah to join in the Mack family traditions leading to a few awkward moments as Jonah tries to fit into the celebrations. The episode was a beautiful representation of the importance of culture sharing as Andi and her family help Jonah to understand and appreciate their cultural traditions.

Jewish Pride

Although it is no the first time Disney Channel has featured jewish characters, it’s in Andi Mack best friend Cyrus Goodman (Joshua Rush) that showcase jewish traditions outside the bar mitzvah. In seasons three’s episode titled One in a Minyan Minsky dives into jewish culture by showing a shiva when Cyrus’s grandmother Bubbe Rose passes away. During the episode Minsky showcase jewish traditions as Andi and her friends suport Cyrus, and he proudly shares his culture. From treating his friends to krugel to teaching them prayer to join in a minyan in his Bubbe’s honour!

Real World Stories:

Teen Pregnancy:

The series follows 13-year-old Andi Mack on her journey to navigating growing Asian American in middle school. Until her world is completely turned upside down when she finds out her cool older sister Bex (Lilian Bowden) is actually her mother. Leaving Andi to gravel with trying to understand how her family could hide something so major to her and how Bex could just abandon her.

Through out the series Minsky dives into Bex’s difficult decisions in leaving Andi to be raised by her grandparents. Diving into the complexities of being a young mom who’s not ready to be a mother yet, and the complexities of giving your child up.

At first Andi is resentful and confused, and rightfully so. Her whole life and everything she’s ever known is completely uprooted right as she’s about to start her journey to growing up. She wants nothing to do with Bex, and is angered with her grandparents for keeping the secret as long as they did.

Minsky captures the complexities in an authentic manner over the course of the series. Following Andi and Bec relationship from monthly visits to when they move into their own family home after Bex’s and Andi’s dad Bowie (Trent Garrett) reconnect and reunite their family.

Minsky takes audiences into the challenges of reconnecting and rebuilding familial roots. Through exploring the tribulations in Bex’s and Bowie’s relationship in reconnecting to fall in love and regain the family they gave away in their young years. Showcasing to audiences the importance of family and being there for and supporting your family

Coming Out:

It’s safe to say Minsky is paving the way for the next generation and breaking down barriers for the next generation! For the first time ever on the Disney Channel a character came out as gay!

The monumental event occurs in the third season and showcase Cyrus coming out to his friends. His starts his coming out journey by telling Buffy (Sofia Wylie). He is over come with emotions saying “I feel weird. I feel different”. To which Buffy quickly “You’ve always been weird but you’re no different”. Giving him the courage embrace his true self and tell his close friends.

The episode follows Cyrus as he tells his friends, and his crush Jonah who he is terrified to tell. With the support of his best friends Andi and Buffy he builds up the courage to tell Jonah by quickly sliding into his descriptions of the food at his grandmother’s shiva. “That is Aunt Ruthie’s kugel. That’s your classic bagel and lox. That’s gefilte fish, skip that and I’m gay.” To which Jonah response “Yeah? Okay, cool.”

The episode sent waves through media with some criticizing and others praising. But for Minsky it was always about breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive landscape in the children’s media world.

What do you think about Minsky’s approach with Andi Mack? Do you think she is a force to be reckoned with in creating an inclusive media industry? Comment your thoughts and opinions below!

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