Netflix’s branch Strong Black Lead which, as the name implies, highlights films with strong Black lead actors and upcoming Netflix films that have a largely Black cast. This movement has graced and premiered family favorites and popular black sitcoms on their platform over the past months.
In early August, Netflix had added a handful of Black Sitcoms that were popular in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s—and everyone was eating them up. From an era that could be considered the peak for sitcom comedy and an influx of representation for the black community, Netflix pays homage to some timeless classics such as Moesha and its subsequent spin-off The Parkers to family favorites such as Sister Sister and Half & Half.
For years, over the internet Black people had been demanding more diversity in what shows were included on the streaming platform—and Netflix definitely struck gold with this one.
In the past two years since its launch of Strong Black Lead, and within the past year with the increasing discussion of racial issues in the US and around the world, Netflix has taken a smart strategy in being at the forefront of amplifying black voices in the form of representation in media in attempts to capture the Black experience.
These iconic sitcoms are a few perfect examples of this. With seven different shows following the lives of various black characters from all different types of backgrounds and body types, this sub-brand of Netflix captures various pieces of what it meant to be Black in America in a way that their White counterparts could not. With strong punchlines and amazing deliveries, these films can leave a mark on anyone who watches them.
With shows like Girlfriends and The Game, that highlight the socio-economic challenges black people, especially black women, face throughout history, people of color can indulge in that sense of relatability and drama that made them popular amongst their target demographic. Netflix has expanded its library on culturally woke programming, entailing a balance between a social movement and commemorative entertainment, and as well being a pivotal change in Black representation in films.
As October came to an end these shows have eventually been dropped from Netflix’s streaming list. However, even in the mid-waves of December, they will forever be burned into the Black collective unconscious.
