The Enduring Power of Black Sitcoms

Lately I’ve been seeking comfort in Black sitcoms from the 1990s. These shows have been made available on a number of streaming services, and watching them gives me a much-needed break from reality. What makes these sitcoms so powerful is simple: they’re about Black people living just like anyone else. Our lives are simple, complex, and most importantly, more than just about battling bigotry.

Take Living Single , which first aired in 1993. The show features the trials and tribulations of Black women living together in Brooklyn. Queen Latifah stars as Khadijah, a highly successful editor-in-chief and publisher of an independent magazine. A major theme of the show is the character’s difficulties dating. At the end of season one, things are going great for her and teacher Alonzo. While their relationship is growing, things come to a halt when her old flame Scooter shows up out of the blue. He and Khadijah still have very strong feelings for each other. So, Alonzo decides to leave and eventually Khadijah tries to make a long distance relationship work with Scooter.

The show centered Black feminism, and also allowed us to see the multiple sides of its characters. In season three, Khadijah watches over her little sister Stephanie, a talented runner. Throughout the episode we learn that even though Khadijah is a talented and aspirational woman, she isn’t exactly a…