A Look at the Title, "Orange is the New Black"

I finally finished watching all 10 seasons of Friends...yes I am very behind on TV and pop culture...so I turned to Netflix for my next binge.  With no real intention of sticking with it, I started watching Orange is the New Black...I am hooked!

This suspenseful show has me glued to the screen for several reasons.  It is suspenseful and thought-provoking.  Most scenes are shot in just a few rooms, but the narrative is what grabs me.  Also, I love that viewers learn a little bit about each character's history in each episode.

But what really has me thinking is the title.  I assumed that the title signified the fact that the show takes place in a women's prison and the inmates now wear orange uniforms instead of black. Black is a color in fashion that is always in style...fashionistas will tell you that every woman needs a little black dress in her closet.  So this is meaning number one: the female prisoners have hung up there black clothing for there new orange uniforms.

But, what if this title means something a bit more...

There is quite a bit of discourse, specifically in the academic community, that the prison system in the United States is a new form of slavery.  America incarcerates more African Americans than any other group.  Also, this show grapples with racism and race issues between the characters.  Perhaps this show is also called Orange is the New Black because its commenting on the fact that the majority of people who are wearing orange are black...

Is this intentional? What do you think?

I'm only 5 episodes in, but perhaps this show is all about racism in our society.