Movies

Granderson: Malcolm-Jamal Warner carried a heavy load for Black America

BBG News

There were three television characters who really mattered to me as a kid: Michael, Leroy and Theo.

When I was in elementary school, the TV show “Good Times” strongly resembled my own family. Watching reruns of Ralph David Carter’s portrayal of a bright, resourceful young boy dealing with poverty, intelligence, and Blackness resonated so deeply with me that his character, Michael, felt like a part of my own family.

By the time I reached middle school, I had stopped sporting cornrows similar to Gene Anthony Ray’s style, but I made every effort to emulate his “Fame” character Leroy. For many of my peers, participating in the performing arts was a means of self-expression and the show served as inspiration. However, for me, it represented an escape from my neighborhood, and Leroy served as my role model. Through the Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy, I received free professional dance lessons, which ultimately led to a college dance scholarship.

Although I was talented, my academic progress wasn’t straightforward; I had to take summer courses to finally graduate from high school. This is why I found solace in Theo, a character known for his classroom struggles in the popular show “The Cosby Show.” The family never abandoned him, and what stood out most was that he never stopped persevering.

Growing up, I found solace in the humorous portrayals of Theo’s intelligence, his teenage blunders (which included a dyslexia diagnosis), and the similar struggles faced by Leroy and Michael on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” These characters served as invisible lifelines for me, offering comfort during my own difficult experiences. With the passage of time and distance, I can now see more clearly that they were like secure knots on a rope I didn’t realize I was hanging onto.

The reaction from the Black community over Malcolm-Jamal Warner‘s passing this week is not just about nostalgia, but it’s also filled with appreciation. We understand the weight he carried for us, which allowed many others to advance.

In 1984, when “The Cosby Show” first aired, there were no other depictions on TV of thriving two-parent African American families. Typical portrayals focused on hardship and pain rather than love and support. Despite the fact that Black women had been earning law degrees since the 1800s, starting with Charlotte E. Ray in 1872, and Black men were becoming doctors before that, the initial reaction from critics was that the show’s concept of a doctor-and-lawyer African American couple seemed unrealistic or inauthentic.

Despite the show’s success, a limited perspective persisted in Hollywood, even in 1992, following nearly a decade of “The Cosby Show” being No. 1 and the success of movies like “Beverly Hills Cop II” and “Coming to America.” The film “Boomerang,” led by Eddie Murphy, was criticized as unrealistic due to its all-Black, successful main characters. In response, Murphy addressed a letter to the Los Angeles Times, challenging their portrayal of what Black excellence should be.

As a cinephile, I’ve always admired how Black actors like Michael, Leroy, and Theo have been challenging stereotypes in the media since the offensive portrayal of us in “The Birth of a Nation” back in 1915. It must have been particularly tough for Warner, given his prominent role and the fact that he was navigating his identity at a time when self-discovery is already complex. Yet, Warner’s portrayal of Theo was remarkable because he managed to redefine Blackness by embodying what the world often said we were not. This spirit is beautifully encapsulated in his final interview where he articulated his legacy as: “I can leave this world knowing that I was a good person.

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but reflect on the profound impact characters like his, Leroy, and Michael had on the Black community – a legacy that transcends the screen. It wasn’t their shared circumstances in sitcoms or family dynamics that resonated with us. Instead, it was their unwavering resilience against the harsh realities of this world. They refused to let the darkness consume them, choosing instead to protect and nurture their hearts, shining as beacons of hope amidst adversity. In doing so, they provided a vital lifeline, helping countless others, like myself, keep striving for greater heights.

YouTube: @LZGrandersonShow

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2025-07-26 13:31

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