It’s Sunday morning, Mom is cooking your favorite breakfast, the house is spick and spanned, and Will Smith is playing on your living room television screen. Days like these typically give you comfort, not just because Sunday is a reset for the incoming week, but you get the opportunity to sit back, relax, and bask in the joy of black sitcoms on your tv screen.
With Black History Month approaching shortly, here’s a reminder of why black sitcoms are so near and dear to the black community!
From popular shows like Everybody Hates Chris, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, A Different World, and even Insecure, there’s a world to dive into within these shows that relates to black culture.
It’s more then just tv
Representation is truly what draws people to watch black sitcoms. The luxury silk furniture shown in sitcoms like Moesha, to the family dynamic in Black-Ish, and you can’t forget about the iconic characters like Whitley in A Different World, they all reflect pieces of your everyday lives.
These characters that are created and shown in a tv world truly portray various personalities that bring the culture together. It’s a reassuring feeling to see a true experience unfold on your tv screen.
You start to imagine yourself in these scenarios that bring about emotions like laughter to sadness, all in one. It’s an opening feeling to be able to take life lessons from these characters.
Everyone has wanted a love like Dwayne and Whitley’s, or a friend group like the women from Girlfriends have. These sitcoms show the world all the creativity and expression that the black community gives.
Better yet, the creators of these sitcoms touch on all walks of life. Comfort shows like Family Matters cater to the growing pains and development of black families. While shows like Martin give audiences a great laugh, and celebrity cameos from time to time.
These sitcoms become significant because audiences are able to grasp the humor and comfort that align with intentional storytelling and shared experiences.
Why It hits home
Watching these characters live their lives, people see pieces of their own struggles, hopes, and dreams unfold. There’s a little girl in the real world who is just as witty as Ashley Banks, or better yet, as fashionable as Hilary Banks.
These sitcoms become monumental for learning how to handle friendships, sustain family bonds, and even be a muse. It shows that relatability comes in all shapes and forms.
Perceptions of the culture began to be shaped in a positive light. Black people are seen for more than just political or assertive matters. Basking in the triumphs and trials of these characters is what makes Black sitcoms so meaningful.
Let’s be honest, sometimes all you need is a little Carlton dance from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air to bring the joy out of your day.
Remember when life starts to feel overwhelming, turning on a Black sitcom will remind you of all the heartfelt moments in life, especially within the community and culture.