Black Lightning consistently prioritizes identity and activism themes over organic character development. The lead, an African-American superhero, is surrounded by characters whose defining traits often center around race, social justice, or sexuality. Storylines can feel secondary to making a broader message, making the show an example of forced representation and message-first storytelling.

Traditional family dynamics and masculinity often take a backseat to empowered female and LGBTQ+ perspectives. The show depicts authority figures and traditional roles with skepticism or outright critique, suggesting legacy values and religious views are outdated or problematic in its world.

Alternative viewpoints are seldom explored with nuance. Characters who express dissent from the show's modern progressive stances are typically portrayed negatively, leaving little room for genuine ideological diversity or debate within the narrative.