When we think of classic black sitcoms from the 90s, shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Martin often top the list. But what about Family Matters? The show, which featured the iconic Steve Urkel, ran for nine seasons and was a fan favorite. Despite its success, Family Matters never reached the same level of recognition or cultural impact as its peers.
Recently, Jaleel White, who portrayed Steve Urkel on the show, opened up about why he thinks Family Matters didn’t get the attention it deserved. His answer? It wasn’t a “hood” story. According to White, if a show wasn’t portraying a more urban, street-centric lifestyle, it wasn’t considered a “black” show by mainstream standards. This insight sheds light on the complex dynamics of race, culture, and television, and the way certain narratives are elevated while others are overlooked.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into Jaleel White’s perspective, explore the cultural and societal factors at play, and reflect on the lasting legacy of Family Matters.
Jaleel White’s View: ‘Family Matters’ Wasn’t Considered a “True” Black Sitcom
What Does Jaleel White Mean by “Hood” Stories?
When Jaleel White talks about “hood” stories, he’s referring to the portrayal of African-American life that is often associated with inner-city, street-level struggles. Shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Martin featured characters from the “hood” or urban areas, and their stories focused on navigating the challenges of a working-class or street-oriented lifestyle. These types of shows often came with elements of drama, hustle, and authenticity, making them more relatable to a broader, predominantly black audience.
In contrast, Family Matters depicted a middle-class black family, the Winslows, living in a suburban environment. The Winslow family’s storylines focused on family dynamics, personal growth, and light-hearted humor, with little reference to the street culture or struggles typically associated with other black sitcoms. This made Family Matters appear, at least to some, as less authentic and not representative of the true black experience.
Cultural Bias in TV and Its Impact on Recognition
Television has always been a reflection of society’s biases, particularly when it comes to race and representation. In the 90s, many black sitcoms were valued for how much they reflected the “struggles” of black communities, particularly those in urban or working-class environments. Shows like The Fresh Prince capitalized on the contrast between street-smart characters and their wealthy surroundings, which added both humor and drama. But Family Matters took a different approach.
The Winslow family, while dealing with their own issues, lived in a stable, suburban environment, and their challenges were more universal. While this was refreshing, it wasn’t seen as “real” by some viewers who expected black characters to represent the harsh realities of inner-city life. This perception is what White suggests contributed to the show being overlooked in favor of those with more “authentic” or urban stories.
The Importance of Representation: Why ‘Family Matters’ Should Have Been Celebrated
Not All Black Stories Are the Same
One of the key reasons Family Matters deserves more recognition is its representation of black life that wasn’t often seen on television at the time. The Winslow family was a portrayal of a working-class black family that was proud of their achievements and had a strong sense of family values. This was a refreshing and positive depiction, showing that black families didn’t always have to be mired in struggle or hardship to be valued.
The show provided an important counterpoint to the more stereotypical representations of black life in the media, but unfortunately, that contrast made it harder for mainstream audiences to fully embrace it. The cultural emphasis on urban narratives in the 90s meant that shows with a different kind of black experience, like Family Matters, didn’t get the same acclaim or attention.
The Power of the Suburban Black Family
While some may argue that Family Matters was too “idealized” or sanitized, the show nonetheless made a significant contribution to diversifying the representation of black families on TV. By focusing on a black family living in the suburbs, Family Matters showed that black people weren’t a monolithic group—there were various ways to experience blackness, and those experiences mattered. This is an essential part of cultural representation, and Family Matters should be remembered for challenging the stereotype that all black stories had to revolve around poverty, crime, or urban issues to be authentic.
The Role of Steve Urkel: Breaking Stereotypes and Defying Expectations
Steve Urkel: The Nerdy Black Character Who Redefined Cool
At the heart of Family Matters was Steve Urkel, a nerdy, socially awkward character who became an unexpected pop culture icon. Played by Jaleel White, Urkel was not the typical black sitcom character seen at the time. He was smart, quirky, and unabashedly nerdy—traits that were rarely attributed to black characters on TV. In a time when being “cool” was often associated with street smarts and swagger, Urkel flipped that narrative on its head.
Urkel’s character challenged the notion that blackness had to conform to a specific set of traits. He showed that black people could be just as nerdy, intellectual, and socially awkward as anyone else, and still be loved and celebrated. Urkel’s popularity also helped pave the way for other non-stereotypical black characters to emerge in future TV shows, offering viewers a broader range of black identities.
Legacy of ‘Family Matters’: How The Show Shaped TV Culture
The Lasting Impact of ‘Family Matters’ on Black Sitcoms
While Family Matters might not have received the same level of recognition as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or Martin, its influence cannot be understated. The show played a crucial role in shaping how black families were portrayed on TV, offering a different, yet important, perspective. Today, as the conversation around diversity and representation continues to evolve, Family Matters remains a key piece in understanding how black sitcoms can encompass a range of experiences.
As we look back on its legacy, we realize that shows like Family Matters helped pave the way for future TV shows that embraced diversity in all its forms. From Black-ish to The Neighborhood, the spectrum of black identity in television is now far more nuanced and complex than it was in the 90s, largely thanks to shows like Family Matters.
Conclusion: Why We Need to Revisit ‘Family Matters’
Jaleel White’s comments about Family Matters highlight an important truth about race, culture, and representation in television. The show may not have fit the stereotypical mold of “black” shows that were popular at the time, but it offered an important, underrepresented narrative. The Winslows were not a family defined by struggle or the “hood” experience—they were a middle-class, suburban black family that dealt with relatable, everyday issues.
By examining how Family Matters was perceived in its time, we can better understand the complex dynamics of race and representation in media. As we continue to push for more diverse and inclusive portrayals in TV and film, let’s not forget the value of stories that show black life in all its variety. Family Matters was not just a sitcom—it was a reflection of a different kind of black experience that deserves to be celebrated.
FAQs
1. Why was ‘Family Matters’ overlooked compared to other black sitcoms?
Jaleel White suggests that Family Matters didn’t fit the “hood” narrative that many black sitcoms were known for, which led to it being less recognized by mainstream audiences.
2. How did Steve Urkel redefine black characters on TV?
Steve Urkel challenged stereotypes by portraying a nerdy, intellectual black character, showing that black people could be quirky, socially awkward, and still beloved.
3. Was ‘Family Matters’ a true representation of black life?
While it didn’t represent the typical urban black experience, Family Matters showed the diversity within the black community by portraying a middle-class, suburban family.
4. What cultural impact did ‘Family Matters’ have?
Family Matters diversified the representation of black families on TV, proving that not all black stories had to revolve around hardship or street life to be valid.
5. Is ‘Family Matters’ still relevant today?
Yes, Family Matters remains an important part of TV history and continues to influence how black characters and families are portrayed in contemporary media.
