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- Love of the culture
- Jan 28, 2021
- 2 min read
90’s black sitcoms gave us laughter, fashion, culture and most importantly representation. The 90’s was truly the golden age, it was the decade with the most black sitcom to date. Thanks to the 80’s, that paved the way for more black leads with shows like The Cosby Show.
It’s unfortunate that many sitcoms got cancelled leading up to the 2000s. But it was an era that gave black people an opportunity to introduce the black experience by giving it a platform. Black people were able showcase their talents and challenge many stereotypes fabricated over the years in television. However, there are those who would argue that the 90’s weren't all that great and that many of the sitcoms enforced these stereotypes rather than trying to dismantle them. They have been criticised for falling into the trap of colourism, with many shows dening dark skinned women the lead role while portraying them as angry and ghetto.
Overall, the 90’s was only just the beginning, it gave television a taste of what creative black individuals were cable off. Many 90’s sitcoms laid the foundation in which many black creators now seek inspiration from. It opened the doors for many young actresses /actors that we have grown to love.
It’s amazing to see how growing up in Britain many of us still found familiarity and were able to identify with many of these characters, even though these shows were based on the black American experience. Goes to show how important representation is and how the black experience is universal and by capturing it, we are able to connect with our brothers and sisters across the globe.
Join us as we walk down memory lane and relive all these monumental moments.
