Television Rhetorical Paper: Black-ish Season 2 Episode 40

Alyssa Lopez:
Professor Hilton:
English 101:
17/2/2016:
Black-ish Season 2 Episode 40
The issue of race has gained prominence in modern day America. The election of the former president, was heralded as a pivotal moment in race relation. Where the black man would rise to enjoy equal prominence with other races in America. However, recent development have noted that this has not been the case. Noting, issues such as police shootings of black unarmed teenagers have reignited debate. Pop culture and particularly TV productions have the capability of dissecting issues affecting the US in startling detail. Where their recording over a long period of time allows script writer to tailor the programs to reflect the ongoing social debate. The paper thus, will conduct an examination of the state of race relations in the United States with specific reference to the black community. As part of this empirical analysis, the paper will analyze the show Black-ish. The focus will be onepisode 40 of the series, which is season 2 episode 16.
Discussion
The show Black-ish is an American Sitcom that runs on ABC. The show stars award winning actors led by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross as the stars of the show. It premiered on September 24, 2014 and is currently on its third season. The show features a black family in a purely white neighborhood. It follows the Johnson family as they navigate the racial conundrum in modern America. As a Sitcom, the series surpasses expectations. It delivers humor in a decidedly natural manner.
The series is created to analyze a number of themes. These include; race, LGBT, police brutality etc. The issue of race is the most pervasive. Noting, that from the pilot, the series dissects race relations in modern America from a black man’s perspective. Taking note of how race has changed from the time of Civil war matches, to the time when a black man was president of the US. The target demographic for the sitcom is mixed. Noting, that while the cast is primarily black. The dialogue can be understood and appreciated by any race. The show largely attempts to voice the black man’s thoughts. It utilizes a humorous tone, to deal with serious issues. In episode 40 of the series aptly titled, “Hope.” it epitomizes the need for the whole series. The episode analyses the question of police brutality. Where Dre and Bow take different sides to the debate. Where Dre believes all police are bad and Bow believes many are good.
The episode allows us to come into the black family’s home and see the question of police brutality through their eyes. Noting, that the show is brutally honest. The writers willingly naming names associated with black culture and statistics of black deaths due to the police. It is this honesty that makes this show worth watching. Any logical and rational being, even when not particularly drawn to the black cause can understand and appreciate their pain. Where despite the whole family takin...