In the history of fictional friendships, there is often one character that stands out of the crowd. Yes, the Token Black Friend. Named so because he or she usually has no impact on what happens in thestory, and are included for comic relief or to make the TV show or movie more "commercially safe" and "politically correct." Here are five of the best Token Black Friends.

 

Carl Carlson (The Simpsons)

Homer's coworker at the Springfield Power Plant, Carl can often be found hanging out with Homer and others, always providing a little diversity to the group of Springfielders (Springfieldians?). He is often seen with his white best friend, Lenny Leonard. The relationship between Carl and Lenny is a little homoerotic sometimes, but it doesn't matter; Carl is such a great Token Black Friend that we don't care which way he swings.

Fun Fact: In addition to being Icelandic and African-American, Carl is also diabetic and Buddhist, and holds a Master's degree in physics.

Franklin (Peanuts)

Franklinis the granddaddy of the Token Black Friend; introduced in Peanuts in the summer of 1968, he was the first black kid in the Peanuts gang, breaking barriers on the funnies page. Franklin was mostly relegated to background talent in the strip and television specials. He mostly kept quiet and added his two cents every once in awhile, thus setting the tone for Token Black Friends for years to come.

Fun Fact: Franklin contributed to "The Charlie Brown Dictionary" by being the illustration for the word "black."

Lando Calrissian (Star Wars)

Not only is Lando Calrissian Luke Skywalker's Token Black Friend, but since the death of Mace Windu, he is the only black person in the entire galaxy (Jar Jar doesn't count). Since betraying Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back, Lando has worked to atone for his actions, appearing on the side of the Rebels in Return of the Jedi, dozens of Star Wars comic books, novels and video games, and countless Star Wars fan fiction porn.

Fun Fact: Billy Dee Williams, who portrays two-faced Lando in the films, was also in the 1989 Batman movie as Harvey Dent, the attorney who one day becomes Two Face.

Token Black (South Park)

No list of Token Black Friends would be complete without the character who owes his name to the phenomenon: Token. Token is the only black child at South Park elementary, and has the responsibility of teaching the other children about race, such as when Cartman committed a hate crime, or when Randy Marsh used the N-word on Wheel of Fortune. Token is South Park's way of making fun of tokenism, although ironically he usually just fulfills the role of TBF.

Fun Fact: Like all black people, Token can play the bass. Haha stereotypes!

 

Storm (X-Men)

Ororo Munroe, aka Storm, is the rare instance of a female Token Black Friend, and she does not disappoint. Originally worshipped as a goddess in Africa, Professor X brought her to the United States to join his team of mutant do-gooders. After all, what parable of racial intolerance would be complete without a black character? Although her screen time is limited in the live-action films, in the comics Storm was once in charge of the X-Men, transcending Token Black Friend and becoming Token Black Leader.

Fun Fact: Storm is married to the Black Panther.

Honorable Mentions:

John Stewart (Justice League): Rounds out the animated Justice League

Skeeter (Doug): Doug Funnie's Token Blue Friend

Kenan Thompson (SNL): Too non-ficitional to make this list