When journalists discuss what to watch to celebrate Black History Month, they often suggest movies or television shows that depict the Black struggle. As Black people we know that struggling has and is still a part of our history, we don’t want that to be the only thing discussed during Black History Month. We want our culture to be celebrated and just to enjoy it without always mentioning the struggle. So, I am going to give you a list of seven lighthearted shows that just portray Black people living their lives.
- Insecure
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There are not many shows after the ’90s or early 2000s that I believe truly illustrate Black people without catering to the white gaze. “Insecure” is one of the few shows that I was able to watch that just felt like I was watching Black people just be Black without explaining everything. Issa Rae does a great job of displaying what it can feel like to be a Black woman navigating through the workplace, friendship and dating. I just subscribed to HBO Max so I was a bit behind on the “Insecure” wave but I binged every episode in less than a week. You can watch “Insecure” on HBO Max.
- Abbot elementary
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If you haven’t heard of “Abbot Elementary” these past few months, I am here to put you on. This television show gives viewers insight as to what teachers in inner-city and/or underfunded schools go through. The show features Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tyler James Williams and Quinta Brunson. Not only is it filled with laughs, but it’s also filled with a cast of Black teachers, faculty and students. “Abbot Elementary” helps viewers understand how hard teachers work to make sure all of their students are receiving what they need and that many schools across the nation leave students at a disadvantage because of low funding. You can watch “Abbot Elementary” on Hulu.
- A different world
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I know this show may be a bit older, but I think a lot of it still applies today. “A Different World” features a group of students at an HBCU named Hillman College. It shows what it can be like for Black college students of all different backgrounds to navigate through college and adulthood. Not only does it show one of the best slow-burn love stories (in my opinion), but it also shows the highs and lows of friendships, having to work throughout college, enduring tough courses and what life can look like after college. This is one of my favorite shows of all time so I highly recommend it. You can watch “A Different World” on HBO Max.
- MY WIFe and kids
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Any shows that involve the Wayans are instantly a classic. This one is a hilarious sitcom that shows a relatable Black family dealing with the challenges of life. I love seeing Tisha Campbell-Martin in her role as Jay because it seems like she has so much more comedic freedom than on Martin. “My Wife and Kids” took on a wide variety of topics like teenage pregnancy, relationship issues and coming together as a family. You can watch “My Wife and Kids” on Hulu.
- Grown-ish
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Even though I don’t believe “Grown-ish” comes anywhere close to “A Different World”, I do believe that it does illustrate many things that college students go through. With a majority black cast, it does highlight some of the issues that young Black adults face. Even though “Black-ish” is the parent show, I think that “Grown-ish” does a better job of being a show for Black people to watch rather than continuously over-explaining to non-Black audiences. Also, who doesn’t love ChloexHalle? You can watch “Grown-ish” on Hulu.
- Married to medicine
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If you like reality television, I think “Married to Medicine” will be perfect for you. I really enjoy this show because it showcases Black medical professionals who are very successful in their careers. On reality television, successful Black people are typically in the entertainment industry. However, “Married to Medicine” reminds viewers that Black people are multi-faceted and that they do live luxurious lives. You can watch “Married to Medicine” on Hulu.
- girlfriends
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Girlfriends is an amazing show that illustrates friendships between Black women. Even though their friendships were not perfect, they still tried their best to show up for one another. This show discusses working in corporate America, discovering your identity, learning that what you pictured for your life may not happen and not being afraid to change career paths to take a chance on yourself. You can watch “Girlfriends” on Netflix.
It was so hard for me to choose just seven shows that showcase Black culture in a beautiful way. I hope that you found something on this list that you will choose to watch to celebrate Black History Month.