Ep 13. Pride

It was the season finale of Mixed-ish and the episode titled "Pride" was sure to take viewers on an emotional ride. The episode focused on the Johnson family's attempt to celebrate and understand pride in their community. As the family prepared for a float in the local parade, each member of the family had their own unique experience with the idea of pride.

The episode began with the youngest member of the Johnson family, Santamonica, feeling left out because no one had explained to her what pride meant. She was upset that she couldn't wear her favorite rainbow dress because she didn't know what it represented. Her parents, Rainbow and Paul, explained that pride was about celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and embracing individuality. They both got emotional while describing the importance of being proud of who you are, and how it had helped them overcome the struggles they faced growing up.

While Santamonica was still struggling to understand the idea of pride, her siblings Johan and Alicia were getting ready for the parade with their own struggles. Johan, who is the only black child in his predominantly white school, was worried about being separated from his family and potentially getting lost. Meanwhile, Alicia was dealing with her own insecurities about being a mixed-race child and not feeling like she fully belonged anywhere. As the parade began, both kids found solace in their respective communities and felt a sense of belonging that they had been searching for.

As the family rode on their float, they encountered a group of protesters who were against the idea of the LGBTQ+ community being celebrated. The Johnsons were shocked and angered by the hateful signs the protesters held up, but they didn't let it ruin their celebration of pride. Instead, they used the experience as an opportunity to have a conversation with their children about hate and understanding.

The episode also saw the Johnsons confronting their own biases and prejudices. When Rainbow found out that her friend, Denise, was a lesbian, she expressed discomfort in what she felt was Denise's romantic advances. This led to a difficult conversation between the two women, where Denise explained how she had been keeping parts of her life a secret because of fear of rejection. Through this conversation, Rainbow realized how her own biases were limiting her understanding of others, and she made a conscious effort to change that.

Throughout the episode, the Johnson family demonstrated the importance of acknowledging different experiences and perspectives. They showed how love and compassion were needed to combat hate and ignorance. The finale was a beautiful conclusion to a great season, leaving viewers eager for what's to come next.