What once served as a platform to uplift, inspire, and showcase the true strength of the black community has fallen into a pattern of superficiality and moral decline. Back in the day, shows like “The Cosby Show,” “A Different World,” and “My Wife and Kids” celebrated the richness of our culture, highlighting our intelligence, our humor, our resilience, and our integrity. They lifted up our people with dignity and truth, showing the world that we are more than stereotypes or problems to be solved.
But today, much of black entertainment has taken a different path. It’s become a stage for controversy, conflict, and sensationalism — things that feed destructive stereotypes rather than break them. Reality shows like “Love & Hip Hop” have turned into spectacles that promote negative images of black women, often emphasizing hypersexuality and drama over strength, achievement, and character. These portrayals do a disservice to our community. They distort perceptions, influence our youth wrongly, and threaten our moral fabric.
This decline in respectful representation isn’t just disappointing; it’s dangerous. As believers in Christ, we know that what we consume shapes our minds and hearts. When entertainment rewards chaos, disrespect, and violence — especially when it’s glamorized — we send a powerful message that the superficial, the sensational, and the scandalous are what define us. Instead of inspiring our young people to pursue excellence, these shows promote a culture obsessed with image, conflict, and quick fame.
The Bible reminds us in Philippians 4 8 to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His truth and righteousness in all we do, including what we watch and support. We must ask ourselves: What lessons are we teaching the next generation? Are we showing them that character, hard work, and integrity matter? Or are we reinforcing the idea that chaos and controversy are what bring fame?
We are called to do better. Our entertainment should reflect the full dignity of our humanity, our love, our intelligence, our creativity, and our leadership. We serve a God of order, excellence, and purpose. Our media should mirror those values, inspiring young people to live with purpose and to pursue their God-given potential.
Media is a powerful tool; it influences hearts and minds. If we continue to uplift content that degrades and stereotypes us, we’re allowing harmful narratives to take root. But if we choose to support shows and voices that honor biblical values that celebrate our true greatness, we can take back the narrative. We can show the world that black culture is more than conflict and controversy; it’s created to reflect His glory.
It starts with us — what we watch, what we share, and what we promote. Let’s stand for programs that educate, uplift, and inspire. Let’s promote entertainment that reflects our dignity, our strength, and our righteousness. The black community is more than stereotypes or sensationalism. We are children of God made for greatness and called to walk in righteousness and truth.
The world needs to see the beauty, the strength, and the righteousness of our culture. Let us be the light that shows what it means to be made in God’s image — brilliant, resilient, and called to excellence.
