“Back in the days when I was young, I’m not a kid anymore, but somedays I sit and wish I was a kid again.” Those lyrics couldn’t be more appropriate. I miss the carefree life, the bill free life, the good music that had meaning, accompanied by music videos that actually featured true dancing and acting. One major thing I miss is coming in the house, falling out on the floor in front of our Zenith floor model tv (don’t act like you didn’t have one), and watching great portrayals of people who looked like me on the tube.
I came across the article posted on here recently- “Is The Black Television Series Dead.” I couldn’t help but ask the same question. Growing up I enjoyed such classics as Fresh Prince, Family Matters, Living Single, Martin, A Different World, and my absolute fave- The Cosby Show. Where did good black tv go? Where is our show presenting a family with real issues that doesn’t always involve drug use, domestic abuse, and actually showcases a two-parent household? What happened to the wholesome shows that actually presented African Americans in a positive light? No offense to the African-American targeted shows of today, but let’s face it, they’re no Fresh Prince, and sure as heck aren’t even comparable to The Cosby Show. Remember the episodes on The Cosby Show that made you long to be a member of the Huxtable family? Did you ever find yourself wanting to be a Hillman student while watching A Different World? Although many of us didn’t have the luxury of growing up in Bel Air, we were able to imagine it
while watching The Fresh Prince.
This is why I make an effort in showing my children the shows that I grew up watching, in hopes that they too will be as moved and intrigued as I was to be better than society labels us to be. Hey, they can dream and aspire to be better too, can’t they?
Written by: E-Klass
