[WarmPotato]

Have you seen the Fresh Prince of Bel Air? Its a show about a black family in America, written by white people. Because that's a smart idea... At times, racial issues were conveyed with clarity and care - like in the first episode - and the show truly shined! Still, there were certain episodes in the show that sent mixed signals or even downright - conveyed the message that violence and breaking the law is what it means to be a civil rights leader.

The character of Uncle Phil is built up as a Martin Luther King aligned figure in the show. While other characters constantly look to Malcolm X as an idol, Uncle Phil says that working through the law is the best way to create lasting change. It seems to be a fair dichotomy, between the ideals of MLK & Malcolm X - a good show for demonstrating both sides of the conversation.

HOWEVER - late in Season 2 of the show they give up on this message. They write Uncle Phil completely out of character and it comes off as pandering and unrealistic. For near 40 episodes so far, Uncle Phil has constantly said that working through the system is the route to success but now - he flips! He lies to the FBI about a wanted terrorist and its played off as some incredible and heroic action! Typical white hollywood writers - had to stroke racial tension to bring in the big bucks. Very sad. And every viewer could see - placing shock value first was what led to the overall decline of the show...

https://youtu.be/RglnT6b36Fc