Burks 11Shadress BurksMarch 20, 2014The Cosby Show and its impact on the black communityI. IntroductionFor years, various images of African Americans and their way of life have been disseminated in many media outlets. From music to dance, from art to acting, whether negative or positive, our way of life has been talked about and broadcast across the world. Although some are stereotypes and others bear absolute truth; it has helped shape how other ethnicities perceive us. From the beginnings of black and white television to the present state, many series have come and gone, leaving an impact over time. Whether big or small, very few reach a level that evolves into a phenomenon that even 20 years later people still remember. Too much of a surprise in 1984, NBC accomplished this by casting two African Americans as a married couple with five children on a family show we came to know and love as The Cosby Show. With an all-black cast including adults and children, the Cosby show gave us a glimpse into a successful black marriage with children for 8 years. For many of them who grew up in the family life they had; whether low income, middle class, or wealthy, everyone looked at this family, saw normalcy, and wanted to strive for that level of success at every level. From the moment the show aired, we got a glimpse of Burks I 2's childhood love that blossomed into a 30+ year marriage and growing family. TheHuxtables took us on a journey focused on careers, education, family and love. Touching on many different topics that affected the black community, whether young or old, the series gave the world a taste of our views on race, civil rights and marriage. , music and even learning difficulties among their ...... workplace ...... or being doctors, lawyers and teachers. The Cosby Show broke many barriers and many African Americans, whether in the entertainment industry or not, can contribute to some extent to their success through the exposure this show gave them. As the first black president elected, so many positive avenues have come from the fact that we believe and want the same things that white America wants; while showing how we fight issues like racism and inequality every day, regardless of how much money we have. In September 1984, NBC and Bill Cosby turned on the lights, opened their doors and gave us a seat in their living room while we watched for an hour, the American dream becoming a reality for so many people who before us never thought they would live long enough to see it. Yahoo.comfthe-cosby-effect