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5 Black family sitcoms that have addressed the social and cultural issues of their time
5 Black family sitcoms that have addressed the social and cultural issues of their time
DeArbea WalkerApr 1, 2023, 21:31 IST
The cast of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" on-set during an episode, featuring Janet Hubert as Vivian Banks, James Avery as Philip Banks, Tatyana Ali as Ashley Banks, Will Smith as William 'Will' Smith.Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Since the 1960s, Black family sitcoms served as a microcosm of the highs and lows Black families experienced in the US.
It was the golden age of Black family sitcoms with over a dozen on the air throughout the decades.
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When "Julia" premiered in 1968, it was one of the first Black family sitcoms to air
"Julia" actors Diahann Carroll as Julia Baker and Marc Copage as Corey Baker.NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
"Good Times" was the picture image of many Black families in America at the time
Portrait of the cast of the television show "Good Times."CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
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"The Cosby Show" represented the pinnacle of Black sitcoms — but that didn't absolve it from its shortcomings in representation
A portrait of the cast of "The Cosby Show."NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" continued the momentum of popularity from The Cosby Show
The cast of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" on set of the show.Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
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"That's So Raven" was a groundbreaking show for young Black girls to see someone who looked like them on-screen.
The cast of "That's So Raven" on set.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images