“Acting Black or Acting White” Racial Constructions in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Exodus Cardoza

Television Criticism

October 24, 2013

“Acting Black or Acting White” Racial Constructions in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

During the late 1980’s in to the 1990’s race and representation depicted in television were in transition mode from that idea poverty and harsh times were not so bad. Television in the 1970’s, shed light on difficult situations cracking jokes and making the best of poverty, hunger and unemployment, more often than not, not taking these issues to their absolute severity. These shows in the 70’s enforced the norms and expectations society had on families of different race. Television sitcoms in the 1970’s, such as “Good Times” portrayed the nuclear black family fallen on difficult situations dealing with those situations with values such as family togetherness (I).

There were pressures on television preceding the 1970’s to represent African Americans differently in the media. Audiences wanted to shift from the dominant ideologies and stereotypes that depicted the ‘typical’ black family (low income, poverty, non-educated any of these characteristics fit the bill at the time). In response to the wants and needs of audiences across the county, media gave birth to “The Cosby Show”. “The Cosby Show” represented race as separated but equal, racial identity was recognized as important for cultural difference and lived experience (II). Shortly after the birth of “The Cosby Show”, the wonderful show that is “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” came into the homes of many across the world. Examining “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” helps to understand how the show as well as other shows in the 90’s broke away from dominant stereotypes that were present in the 1970’s in to the late 1980’s. However, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”  also pokes fun at the concept of an individual not being black enough or too white. These are acts that other shows in the 90’s did not attempt to perform.

 “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” puts Will Smith center. He plays a fictionalized character of himself from West Philadelphia who is sent to live with his rich uncle and aunt in Bel-Air, California. His single parent mother sent Will away after an altercation at a park, to escape the low crime and dead end possibilities that were part of where he came from (West Philly). Will soon has to learn to adjust to life living with a family driven on wealth and success where possibilities are endless. Will is not used to living with his new family the Banks’ and the way they live their lives. Throughout the show, Will often makes the inference that his family white or not black enough. For example, in episode 5 of season one Homeboy, Sweet Homeboy Will has a friend named Icetray from Philadelphia come visit his new home. After Will introduces Icetray to his cousin Carlton, Icetray shows hesitancy towards Carlton after noticing his sweater vest, khaki pants and the proper way in which he spoke. Will then turns to Ictray and declares to him that Carlton’s outfit and behavior is because of the fact that him “being tan”. Will’s statement to Icetray implies that Carlton is actually white (III). The show tried to represent a hardworking African American family, it attempted to show viewers that success was not only associated with ‘whites’.  

Although the shows’ purpose was to deviate itself from society’s beliefs that living a middle to upper class lifestyle was associated with white families, it actually contradicts what it sets out to do with Wills subtle and not so subtle remarks and cues, which imply that it is not common for blacks to be associated with this kind of lifestyle. Colleen Bernhard states that, Will’s mannerisms and the way he presented himself were that of the 90’s rap look, he liked to wear bright and baggy clothing as well as jewelry he also played the role of the woman chaser (IV). Wills fit the African American narrative at the time but the Banks’ family did not therefore Will was not used to this and it made it easier for him to tease the Banks’ about being white rather than seeing them for the successful black family trying to challenge stereotypes.

The Fresh Prince begs the question “is race in popular culture both culturally and socially constructed?” (IV). It can be seen in the episode Mistaken Identity, Carlton walks up to Will handing him a bag of cookies he then says to Will, “what do you say to an Oreo?” Wills response is “I say, What’s up, Carlton.” In this interaction Will is making fun of Carlton for not being as black as he is even though they are of the same race and ethnicity. Will makes fun of Carlton because the way he presents himself and his mannerisms mirror on 90’s popular culture more typically associated with whites.

However, visa-versa Carlton often makes fun of Will for how he presents himself (although without as much success as Will). Carlton pokes fun at Will, assuming that he is more knowledgeable to real world problems then Will is. Carlton believes Will to be very unserious about his behavior towards the world, he thinks that Will is immature and not sophisticated like himself. Carlton also tries to prove he is more educated and proper then Will, whether that be based on the way he dresses, speaks, walks, etc. An example of Carlton making fun of Will can be seen in the episode How I spent My Summer Vacation. Will and Carlton are having a talk Will says, “You think someone will think I'm a drug dealer or something? Why wouldn't someone think I'm a doctor?” Carlton takes Will’s hat off and responds by saying, “Because everyone knows Buckwheat didn’t go to medical school.” Carlton teases Will for his hairstyle implying that because of the way that he looks, which embodies 90’s popular culture for mostly African Americans, people will not view him as successful because he looks to ‘black’. Through Carlton’s mannerisms’ it is easy to see that he associates himself with within a group predominately viewed as white.      

It is not only jokes between Will and Carlton that depict the racial constructions in the show. One episode starts with Will and Carlton at the mall, there they both lay eyes on a girl from across opposite sides of the mall they then race to get to her. When the camera shifts its attention to Will it shows him gracefully and athletically running past and jumping over people (who are standing, very impressive!). On the other hand, when the camera is shifted to Carlton his hands are down to his side and he is very hesitant to run into people he says excuse me and uses his manners. This enforces the ‘White man can’t jump’ stereotype, that African Americans are the superior race in regards to athleticism. Which is funny because Carlton is African American as well so he should be just as athletic as Will, right? Not quite, this scene racially constructs Will as ‘to black’ and Carlton as to ‘white’.

All and all “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” only continues to reinforce society’s notions that being a part of the middle to upper class group also means being white. In almost every episode, there are issues such as race and social class associate within the show. Coming from a damaged city, Will shows astonishment towards Carlton to his ignorance of real world issues regards African Americans in the United States. In addition, coming from a higher social class Carlton is amazed as to how Will can be so oblivious to proper etiquette. The 1990’s was a time where there was a huge rise in racial equality and race relations, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” did a great job in its point in time (1990-1996) in reinforcing racial issues. At the end of the day, the Fresh Prince is a show with aspects of comedy, fun, family values among many other qualities it touches on racial and class issues causing the viewer to think deeper into the context. Great job Will Smith, now go sit on your throne as the Prince of Bel-Air!     

              

       I.            "GOOD TIMES | A TELEVISION HEAVEN REVIEW." GOOD TIMES | A TELEVISION HEAVEN REVIEW. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013

    II.            Lecture September 19, 2013, Melissa Zimdars Television Criticism   

 III.            "Race Ethnicity // I Heart Sociology." Race Ethnicity I Heart Sociology. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013

 IV.            Bernhard, Colleen. "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." EBSCO. Academic Search Elite, n.d. Web

    V.            Some funny clips from the show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00lYi_pwSBA   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFf_wvSXdjM