ABC’s Black-ish took a more socially conscious turn last night (Feb. 24) in an unforgettable episode. Creator Kenya Barris used the show’s comedy foundation as a chaser for what could have been a bitter-tasting, albeit accurate, depiction of dueling opinions on police brutality, the U.S. justice system, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
The entire episode, titled “Hope,” takes place in a single night, chronicling what has become an almost routine practice these days. The Johnson family gathers in front of the T.V. awaiting the jury decision in a case of a cop killing an unarmed Black teen.
Tracey Ellis Ross, (a.k.a. Rainbow Johnson) plays devil’s advocate to T.V. husband, Anthony Anderson’s reality (a.k.a. Andre Johnson), with their four children (played by Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Marsai Marin and Yara Shahid) and Dre’s parents ( played by Laurence Fishburne and Jenifer Lewis) chiming in. What results is a victorious plethora of powerful and well-written, scenes.
Besides Anderson’s monologue on the personal significance of President Obama’s election, the most sobering moments came from the younger actors. Their dialogue reflects the concerns Black parents battle in explaining police brutality to small children.
For all intents and purposes, Black-ish was so “unapologetically Black” last night, that it made people uncomfortable.
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Photo: screencap
