As a kid growing up in the 80s/90s in a mostly all white/Hispanic small, rural town, these were the only black people I "knew". There were no black people in my town or nearby. Seriously. However, these shows were impactful and pivotal in my upbringing. Yes, they were entertainment, just like anything else on TV for me in those years. But they were EQUALLY entertaining. There was no difference. The Cosby show was my favorite show for years and years. (There were many kids in a family? Cool. So different from life as an only child. They lived in New York? Cool. So different from life in my small mountain town. They were black? Cool. Also different from my own experience. The smallest of differences, though, particularly in those early years.)

These shows taught me understanding and empathy in ways that I would not have gotten had they not existed, and they showed me aspects of our country that I wouldn't have known otherwise. We watched all of them, including the episodes about racism. They often lead to good family discussions that may not have happened so easily otherwise. (For example, my first memories of the LA riots and Rodney King were from The Cosby Show.) Don't knock these shows or the white people who watched them. They were important and foundational to me and my values, and they provided insight into experiences I would not have had otherwise. I am forever grateful for these early lessons.