by guest blogger Mike S.
As we've discussed in class over the past few weeks, sitcoms have largely been focused on white families and friends since the beginning of broadcast television. Even as diversity has increased with many sitcoms including prominent powerful women, gay people, etc. there is still a major lack of black representation on TV. This article delineates the strange dichotomy that people have forced upon black sitcoms: there must either being an affluent black family (Cosby Show) or a stereotypical "ghetto" situation. The article argues that it's dangerous to force these monolithic expectations on black TV. It argues for a middle ground where the myriad of experiences of black folks are portrayed.
As we've discussed in class over the past few weeks, sitcoms have largely been focused on white families and friends since the beginning of broadcast television. Even as diversity has increased with many sitcoms including prominent powerful women, gay people, etc. there is still a major lack of black representation on TV. This article delineates the strange dichotomy that people have forced upon black sitcoms: there must either being an affluent black family (Cosby Show) or a stereotypical "ghetto" situation. The article argues that it's dangerous to force these monolithic expectations on black TV. It argues for a middle ground where the myriad of experiences of black folks are portrayed.
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