8 Carefree Black Girls We Loved Growing Up

Even though we didn't understand the importance of representation yet, we knew there was something we loved about these ladies!

1. Lavender from Matilda

Via tumblr.com

Not only was Lavender smart and caring, but she was also a free soul willing to help her friend Matilda when the time called. Her young-hippie style and loyal nature made her character a friend we all wanted back in elementary school.

2. Dijonay Jones from The Proud Family

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With a ton of sass and attitude to boot, Dijonay was one of those characters that reminded you of someone you knew IRL. You could always count on her to tell you exactly what she was thinking even if it was "You're not wearing that out, are you?"

3. Angela Moore from Boy Meets World

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At this point a Shakespeare reading, natural hair wearing, white boy dating Black girl was simply unheard of on 90s network television, but Angela filled that void along with our hearts. We just wanted to be carefree and desired, just like her.

4. Janie Gibbs from Harriet the Spy

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Middle school is a time to do a lot of weird shit, and Janie took full advantage. The "tribal" tattoo exchanged via foot mushing with Harriet and Sport said it all. Janie was our odd, carefree Black girl scientist who always had a new creation or idea up her sleeve.

5. Denise Frazer from Full House

ABC / Via my.xfinity.com

The Full House kids offered up the sass and cuteness every week, but Denise Frazer took it to a totally different level. Always ready to get in some trouble, Denise made us want to don our overalls and start some mischief with our friends. PLUS HER UNCLE WAS LITTLE RICHARD!

6. Raven Baxter from That's So Raven

Ok, so Raven Symoné isn't on the best of terms with many present-day carefree Black girls, but she was one of our most quintessential predecessors. Her over the top antics and willingness to look silly just to save her family and friends from impending doom made her one of our favorites back in the day.

7. Numbuh 5 from Codename: Kids Next Door

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She was the cool, laid back chick we all wanted around. Oh, and she was also completely badass. In case she wasn't carefree enough for you, let me mention that her voice was that of one of the earliest carefree Black girls on TV, Cree Summer.

Bonus: Numbuh 5 is also super fun to cosplay!

8. Freddie Brooks from A Different World

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Awesome hair? Check. Awesome style? Check. Awesome attitude? CHECK. Even if we only saw her in old reruns, Freddie Brooks was pretty much every carefree Black girls end game goals. So smart and so passionate, Freddie is still a great example of the carefree Black girl. We can imagine her leading a protest or rocking out at AfroPunk any day.

Stay carefree, ladies!