Posted by Tina
* Bill Cosby has long bristled at suggestions that his pioneering NBC comedy, “The Cosby Show,” was somehow unrealistic in its portrayal of a black upper-middle-class family. *** So with the Obama family set to take up residence in the White House, Cosby reflected on those statements last week with a chuckle. “For all those people who said they didn’t know any black people like the Huxtables,” quipped Cosby in a phone interview, “all I can say is, ‘Will you watch the show now?’ “ *
Bill Cosbys vision for black American families and children, as demonstrated on his show, is a good formula for all families.
These qualities are exactly whats needed to lift people from poverty, government dependence, and the addictions and violent behaviors that pervade cities, neighborhoods, and classrooms all across the country. Its exactly whats needed to strengthen and validate all families and this great country.
* The Cosby Show premiered on 20 September 1984 and shot to the top of the ratings almost immediately. Indeed, the series finished third in the ratings its first season (1984-85), and first for the next four seasons. *** For many observers, The Cosby Show was unique in other ways as well. For example, unlike many situation comedies, the program avoided one-liners, buffoonery and other standard tactics designed to win laughs. Instead, series writers remained true to Cosby’s vision of finding humor in realistic family situations, in the minutiae of human behavior. Thus episodes generally shunned typical sitcom formulas by featuring, instead, a rather loose story structure and unpredictable pacing. *** the Huxtables were given a particular mix of qualities that its creators thought would challenge common black stereotypes. These qualities included: a strong father figure; a strong nuclear family; parents who were professionals; affluence and fiscal responsibility; a strong emphasis on education; a multigenerational family; multiracial friends; and low-key racial pride. *
The qualities that the Huxtables exemplified are the qualities that conservatives have been promoting for decades. They represent the aspirations for a stronger America that democrats have made the butt of jokes. The truth, of course is that The Cosby Show was an inspiring sitcom that anyone could enjoy. It was a show that demonstrated the possibilities available to all human beings in free societies when a responsible attitude is adopted. As one prominent conservative said on election night:
“We’ve had an African American first family for many years in different forms. When ‘The Cosby Show’ was on, that was America’s family. It wasn’t a black family. It was America’s family.” – Karl Rove
Barack Obama has a unique opportuity. He should emulate Bill Cosby and use his position as President to inspire the same qualities that made The Cosby Show famously popular and successful. Dr. Cosby has been vindicated but I don’t hold out much hope that our new president intends to follow Cosby’s fine example.