The media landscape is filled with misrepresentation of Black people, especially in the western world. Throughout my writing I have pointed out some of the shows that relish in that misrepresentation. But, I haven’t shown as much spotlight to shows that properly represent us. So, I put a list together.
Moesha (1996-2001)
Moesha tells the coming of age story of Moesha Mitchell, a Black teenager dealing with the trials and tribulations of high school. It doesn’t overemphasize the Black experience or pander to non-Black audiences, instead it simply tells a story that Black women can relate to. Mitchell has an overprotective father, a step-parent she isn’t particularly fond of and is dealing with the unprecedented battles of being a teenager. Instead of forcing it, the showrunners created something that was genuine, touching all areas in its representation.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
Fresh Prince toes the line between class in relation to Black people. The main character, Will, moves from West Philadelphia with his working class mother to Bel-Air with his affluent Uncle Phil. Along the way, he gets into hijinks with his cousin Carlton, learning something new by the end of each episode. The show highlights the culture shock that comes with entering a different class without shying away from the reality that comes with being Black in Bel-Air, representing both sides of the spectrum.
Static Shock (2000-2004)
This cartoon tells the story of a Black teen named Virgil Hawkins, who dons the superhero identity of Static Shock after gaining control over static electricity. A freak accident gave him a flurry of super-powered foes to fight, many of whom express different minority experiences along the way. Static Shock isn’t afraid to tackle racism, gun violence, the challenges of losing a parent and a host of other topics in a way that is educational. Albeit, the target audience of children is obvious during some of these educational moments, but that doesn’t take away from the validity of the message. If you want to see what life is like for a Black superhero dealing with the struggles of high school, you might want to check this one out.
Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009)
As mentioned in The Issue of Representation From The Perspective of a Black American, Everybody Hates Chris properly represents the Black family dynamic by diving into the intricacies of Black life in the ‘80s. From life in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood to being Black at a PWI, the sitcom is a retelling of Chris Rock’s upbringing with a comedic spin. It doesn’t pander to white people or try to water down what life was like being Black in the ‘80s, making it a highlight among my list.
The Boondocks (2005-2014)
The Boondocks tells its story through a satirical lens, so on the surface it may not feel like a great example of representation. But, it tells the story of a Black family moving to the suburbs, so the over-the-top approach makes sense. It reflects the culture shock that comes with a move like that in a way that is refreshing and thought-provoking. On the other side of the coin, The Boondocks isn’t afraid to tackle issues within the Black community, like homophobia and self-hatred, giving an in-depth look into Black culture and its various facets.
That’s the end of the list. Although there are a host of other shows that properly represent Black people, these are five that stuck out to me. I urge you to continue your search for similar shows. Until then, keep reading!
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