It did kinda bug me growing up, because I didn't have many characters to look up to. Maybe the black power ranger, but of course they put him in the black suit, probably because he's black. I think we got a lot of representation from tv though. The likes of Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Martin, Family Matters, The Cosby Show (now has a stigma to it because of what Cosby has done, but I grew up with that show and it still holds a spot in my heart), and more.
Plus hip-hop music, I felt like I was represented there as well, because it was music for us.
As for toys and other things. I didn't really care all that much. I think GI Joe eventually made an African American soldier in their line. I swear I had one, but maybe it was made elsewhere. But yeah, we def weren't represented in toys.
Honestly, I think we ended up having to represent ourselves. It almost seems like we had to always make it ourselves. From the magazines, movies, toys, etc. Because we know no one else was bothering to do it, so we had to do it ourselves.
