This is not the greatest ever told comeback story about how the network BET is now moving to be a loveabke station again, no, not its not. This is about the positive image of the black human race while not watering down the true black experience. 

Shows like the Cosby Show, A Different World, Fresh Prince, The Hughley’s, and My Wife and Kids all showed positive family values. The shows mentioned plus many more did not depict a negative view on everyday black life. We don’t all live like drug dealers and ball players. Those shows taught core values while providing a key source of entertainment without forcing religion, sex, and violence on its viewers. 

Our generation needs shows like Black-ish, Luke Cage, Insecure, and Atlanta because it not only shows loveable and memorable black characters but it depicts us how “we” see us. Not like animals, criminals, or ignorant, but a fun and goofy family with both parents like in Black-ish (ABC). Or a positive black male role model like in Luke Cage (Netflix). Or black women understanding their worth and fighting for equality in the work environment like in Insecure (HBO). 

The season finale of Atlanta (FX) aired today and yet another episode had me hysterically laughing all while hearing hidden messages often times presented in a question that, “we” around the world have yet to get an answer to. It takes comedy to be so daring to ask those questions. 

The entertainment within these shows provides viewers with a more accurate insight on what black people go through. And it’s about time because I believe America has begun to assume that all black people live like rap songs. We need our image to be redefined by who our current image is effecting, by us. 

News stations like Fox or CNN always seem to make black people look as criminal as possible. It’s important that the black image, black culture, and black mindset is not altered by what certain gatekeepers allow the world to see. 

                                                                   -Mizell