“Craig of the Creek”: When We See Us – Chapter 15 Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Omar Holmon begins with a personal anecdote: while watching WWE with his seven-year-old nephew in 2017, the nephew recognized himself in Filipino wrestler T. J. Perkins. That moment made Omar realize how rare it was for his nephew to see someone who looked like him on television. The experience prompted Omar to reflect on his own childhood, during which he never had such a moment. Years later, at age thirty-three, he stumbled upon the Cartoon Network show Craig of the Creek and instantly connected with its protagonist, Craig Williams, a Black nine-year-old boy.
The show is set in the Maryland suburbs and follows Craig, his friends Kelsey and J.P., and a diverse cast of kids who form territories around a creek. Omar was immediately drawn to the show’s commitment to representing children of all backgrounds—every scene includes at least one Black or brown character. He praises the show for building on the progressive foundations of Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and We Bare Bears, and for normalizing topics like gender identity and queer relationships through kid-friendly storytelling.
A turning point came with the episode “Under the Overpass,” which introduced the Green Poncho—a Black boy archer with long locs. Omar, an archery enthusiast, had never seen a Black archer on television before. He became obsessed with the character, anticipating each new episode to learn more. When the episode “Into the Overpast” aired in June 2020, it revealed the archer’s real name: Omar. The episode gave the character a full origin story—a former friend of Maya, exiled from the kingdom, and trained by a previous Green Poncho. The head writer of the show, Jeff Trammell, later confirmed to Omar that he had named the character after him, a gesture that left Omar deeply moved.
Omar concludes that Craig of the Creek is a show where Black viewers see themselves—not through a white gaze, but through authentic, earnest representation. He looks forward to watching the show with his own future children, so they do not have to wait as long as he did to feel seen.
Key Events
- Omar’s nephew recognizes himself in T. J. Perkins while watching WWE, sparking a conversation about racial identity and representation.
- Omar discovers Craig of the Creek and immediately connects with Craig, a Black boy from an all-Black family.
- Green Poncho is introduced in the episode “Under the Overpass” as a Black archer guarding the overpass. He uses trick arrows like scented markers and pencil bundles.
- “Into the Overpast” airs and reveals the archer’s name is Omar. The episode shows his friendship with Maya, their falling-out over the King’s demand for a fight, and his escape to become the Green Poncho.
- Jeff Trammell confirms that he named the character Omar specifically for Holmon, fulfilling a promise made a year earlier.
Character Development
Omar Holmon (the narrator): Through Craig of the Creek, Omar evolves from a nostalgic viewer into someone who finally experiences the childhood representation he lacked. His love for archery and his lifelong desire to see a Black archer on screen are fulfilled, and the character Omar mirrors his own personality—joking, lighthearted, and often told “you never take anything seriously.”
Green Poncho / Omar (the character): The episode “Into the Overpast” transforms the Green Poncho from a mysterious vigilante into a fully realized boy with a tragic backstory. He was once a carefree friend to Maya, but his refusal to fight for the King’s favor led to exile. He inherits the Green Poncho mantle from a girl archer, giving his character depth and a sense of legacy.
Craig, Kelsey, and J.P.: While the chapter focuses on Green Poncho, the trio are shown as the lens through which the creek’s world is explored. Kelsey is a warrior who defends the group, J.P. is imaginative and unpredictable, and Craig is the cartographer (“Map Boy”).
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Representation and visibility: The central theme is the importance of seeing oneself in media. Omar’s nephew seeing TJP and Omar himself seeing Green Poncho both illustrate how representation can affirm identity.
- Inclusion as a norm: Craig of the Creek normalizes diversity—characters use preferred pronouns, queer relationships are casually mentioned, and every crowd shot includes people of color.
- The “kid filter”: The show translates real-world issues into child-friendly terms, such as explaining same-sex attraction through ferret sock puppets or using scented markers instead of real arrows.
- Homage and legacy: The Green Poncho is an homage to Green Arrow and Hawkeye, and the show itself is built on the shoulders of Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and We Bare Bears. The character’s origin story involves passing the mantle, reinforcing the idea of continuity in representation.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a personal testament to the power of inclusive storytelling. Omar Holmon articulates the emotional impact of finally seeing a character that reflects not only his race but his specific interests (archery) and personality (joking, lighthearted). The chapter also shines a light on the behind-the-scenes effort required to create authentic representation: the show’s diverse writing staff, including people of color and queer creators, ensures that the characters feel genuine rather than tokenized. By recounting his interaction with head writer Jeff Trammell, Holmon demonstrates that media creators can directly respond to and validate the audiences they serve. For readers, this chapter underscores that representation matters at any age—Omar was thirty-five when he finally experienced it—and that shows like Craig of the Creek are building a future where no child has to wait that long.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Omar Holmon use his nephew’s reaction to T.J. Perkins to frame the chapter’s central argument about representation?
The nephew’s spontaneous comment “Hey, he looks like me” shows the natural human need to see oneself reflected in media. Omar contrasts this with his own childhood, where such moments were absent. This sets up the chapter’s argument that Craig of the Creek provides that essential visibility for Black viewers.
2. What makes the Green Poncho character particularly meaningful to Omar beyond shared race?
Omar loves archery and had never seen a Black archer on television before. The character also shares Omar’s personality—he is playful, makes puns, and is told he doesn’t take things seriously. When the character is revealed to be named Omar, the connection becomes deeply personal.
3. How does the chapter suggest that Craig of the Creek builds on earlier progressive cartoons?
Omar lists Adventure Time (trauma and consent), Steven Universe (gender and queer representation), and We Bare Bears (racial diversity in background characters) as forerunners. Craig of the Creek combines all these elements into a kid-centered narrative and adds its own inclusive world where everyone belongs.