In a society filled with negative stereotypes about Black American citizens, a modern sitcom centered around a middle class black family in a white neighborhood that talks about the issues seems like something The Cosby Show fell short of. However, have no fear; there is a show that achieves this airing on television right now.

 

Created by Kenya Barris in partnership with ABC in 2013, blackish is a show that focuses on the family of Andre and Rainbow Johnson, played by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross. As they raise their four kids in an upper class white suburb in Los Angeles, they try to maintain their cultural requirements while navigating this country as black Americans.

 

Over the past three seasons, blackish has talked about a number of topics which expose a small aspect of what makes up the entire black experience in the United States. Episodes such as “The Word” shed light on the ongoing discussion among members of the black community about when and when not to say the N-word.

 

Another episode, “Hope,” touched on police brutality and shows Bow and Dre disagree on how they should teach their children about the possibility of them being harassed or killed just because of what they look like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the more recent productions, “Lemons,” gave an interesting take on a discussion regarding the side effects of the latest presidential election. This episode exposed an untold narrative that occurs in our nation as we speak. With people arguing over politics, ethnicity, and morality, this episode was right on time and tells what many Americans, regardless of who they voted for, are thinking or learning now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking on the responsibility of an issue like these three mentioned are hard to do within a 22 minute time comedic time slot, but the show’s ratings have proven that millions, not just black people, are fascinated by and willing to learn and understand a small part of what makes up the black experience. They may not be the voice for the entire black community in United States, but the Johnson family shows that they are more black-ish than they seem.

 

Tune in to blackish at 8:30 PM Central Time on ABC.