Does Obama Make It Better for Blacks In Hollywood?

I read an article on the Black Snob blog which quotes Bill Cosby and Mara Brock Akil, who created the TV shows Girlfriends and The Game, commenting on how President Obama being black will affect how black people are shown through Hollywood. In my opinon, nothing has changed much.

“(T)hese people are stupid,” (Cosby) says, referring to network bosses. “Look at how NBC is struggling. You would think they would make some changes and be talking about trying to get another ‘Cosby’ kind of show. But they would probably die before putting another show on about a black family and black pride.”

Brock Akil, however, has a bit more hope for the network that also aired the groundbreaking show “Julia” (1968-71), with Diahann Carroll; and “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990-96), with Will Smith. NBC recently bought from her a script based on a book by Nick Adams called “Making Friends With Black People.” It’s a buddy comedy that focuses on the state of race relations in the U.S.

“In our pitch to NBC, we referenced Obama,” says Brock Akil. “We talked about how he has gotten us to the table to talk about race in a meaningful way and it’s time to continue the discussion. So our new president has already had an impact.”

(Source: Kansas City Star)

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