Television Series Black-ish Touches on the Many Areas of Media Reform
For this media review, I decided to analyze the ABC television show Black-ish for its educational value and current-day interpretation of issues of racism. The show is effective in using light humor to showcase this issue; additionally, the techniques used to creatively express the prejudiced world in which we live point toward important ideas and influence public recognition. Media reform is present in the show’s effort to improve messages of racism but, in my opinion, falls short in curbing sexist content.
The television series follows an upper-middle-class, multigenerational black family living in a predominantly white community. The family, led by mother Rainbow Johnson and father Andre ‘Dre’ Johnson, are the focal point of the sitcom and relay educational content on the issues of race through their parenting. “Black-ish does not shy away from these troubles. The show dives deep into some controversial issues in black culture and American society as a whole. The controversial topics that Black-ish addresses play an essential role in the societal impact of the show” (Long). Likewise, the influence of the show serves as a form of media reform in racism and police brutality issues. The “efforts to improve media by coalition-building among groups of people with similar goals” (Hobbs) describes the position the Johnson family plays in this series.
Another controversial topic explored in the show is the issue of sexuality in the black community. In one episode, Dre’s sister Rhonda is gay but decides to not publicly come out because of the lack of acceptance of gay people, especially in the black community. The plot and dialogue reveal the homophobic nature of some people and the existing sexual orientation discrimination present predominantly in black communities. Another controversial issue, but this time regarding sexism, is also present in the show itself. Rainbow and Dre portray the sexism that exists in an episode when they try to tell their younger daughter, Diane, to dress a certain way. In the episode they warn her, “You are building your identity as a woman” (Diane Tells). The double standards are evident in the way Rainbow and Dre treat their twins Diane and Jack. The parents are all over Diane’s business and Dre justifies this with, “We don’t have to worry about Jack as much because he can’t get pregnant” (Diane Tells). This episode portrays the unequal and unfair standard that women everywhere are held to, and Diane speaks to the fact that the double standard is real.
In summary, Black-ish demonstrates the harsh reality of being black and the controversial topics it explores produces mixed reviews. I enjoy the show, as it educates on race and the characters reflect the issues of society. The issues of racism the family must deal with are real and display that inequality has become a normalized part of culture and demands talking about. On another topic, how Rainbow and Dre handle some situations are sexist but also true to reality. Diane speaks to what many younger people can agree with. The humor in the television series adds a lighthearted element to real issues worthy of inquiry, and the manner it is showcased in the media adds value to groups of people pushing for reform.
Works Cited
Diane Tells Bow and Dre They Treat Her … — Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DxH5rqKF9I.
Hobbs, Renee. “Who Decides What Makes Media Good?” 22 Apr. 2022,
Long, Kylie. “Black-Ish and the Black Experience: Diversifying and Affirming Accurately and
Authentically.” Culture and the Sitcom Student Essays, Library Partners Press, 1 Oct. 2017, https://librarypartnerspress.pressbooks.pub/studentessaysculturesitcomv1/chapter/black-ish-and-the-black-experience-diversifying-and-affirming-accurately-and-authentically/.
