that African-American families at all socio-economic levels are feeling angry and scared. For the first time in recent history, every viewer is given this behind the scenes look at the discussion around the African-American living room, in a beautifully crafted way. I think in the most articulate way possible, it’s clear that black parents have the same concerns as our Caucasian counter-parts when it comes to teenagers. However, in addition to the worries of drugs, sex, bullying and peer pressure, there is also the very real fear that our black children may not make it home alive. Even in the “nice neighborhoods.”
This episode should make people realize that, in addition to the stress at work and the typical teenage problems; there is an even greater fear that is a burden resting atop all of that. There is the concern of making sure your loved ones can make it through another day. Now some may disagree and argue that it’s not actually THAT bad and yet at least quarterly we have had another reason to justify that fear.
What news over the past 18 months has shown us is really just confirmation of our fear. It’s very real to fear that our child may make a routine stop at the store and may get inappropriately misjudged for a crime they don’t commit. They may even do all of the right things and still end up a victim, even in a situation of random happenstance.
You see the family on Blackish is successful, upper-middle class and living in a nice neighborhood; and yet they’re afraid. They are college-educated and with great jobs; and still they’re afraid. They are supporting loving parents that are present in the home, complete with even loving, albeit, wacky grandparents who are present; and still they’re afraid. Afraid because there is something that is
