Clare Brown’s Viral TikTok Character Carèn Takes on Racism With Humor in ‘New Nigeria County’

In 2020, Clare Brown created the TikTok character Carèn to humorously flip racial dynamics, quickly gaining nearly half a million followers. Carèn treats “European Americans” with the same passive racism Black people often face, offering sharp commentary on race relations.

Brown’s new audiobook, New Nigeria County, expands Carèn’s world into a fictional Black utopia. In this wealthy Black enclave, societal roles are reversed. When a white family moves in, Carèn’s reaction to a “possible gang member” sparks events that highlight racial prejudices in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

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As an influencer marketer, Brown separates her personal life from her creative work. Adapting Carèn’s story to an audiobook posed challenges, but Brown aimed to create an engaging, quick-listen experience. The audiobook provokes thought on blind prejudice through Carèn’s antics and the obliviousness of her privileged friends.

New Nigeria County resonates with Black listeners, validating their experiences, while educating white listeners about microaggressions. The story leaves Carèn unchanged, reflecting the often static nature of racial relations. The audiobook releases on June 18th.

Source: BET