A trending ‘Proud Family’ clip on Twitter sparks discussions about parenting

Popular sitcoms, from ‘Family Matters’ to ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ often focus on Black parenting, but this portrayal is deeply problematic in American television. Black parenting on TV is riddled with problematic tropes, including the absent Black father and strict Black parents. Unfortunately, many Black sitcoms fall into these patterns, including ‘The Proud Family.’

Recently, on August 9, Disney TVA’s Twitter account shared a clip from ‘The Proud Family,’ showing Penny’s parents locking her out of the house as punishment for lying. Her father gives her bus fare and tells her to go to Sugar Momma’s house, leaving her outside alone late at night.

It’s hardly necessary to explain why this scene is troubling. Abandoning a child outside at night for coming home late or lying is a form of cruel parenting. Many on Twitter also found this scene disturbing, with numerous Black individuals criticizing it for its inhumanity and negative portrayal of Black families.

There is a troubling belief that child abuse is more prevalent in Black and Brown families, which has real-world consequences. According to the ACLU of New York (NYCLU), child welfare services are more likely to remove children from Black and Brown families, an institution influenced by white supremacy.

Media like ‘The Proud Family’ perpetuates these harmful stereotypes without significant scrutiny. While it is challenging to find Black shows with positive representation, some do exist. For example, ‘Craig of the Creek’ and ‘Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur’ manage to avoid these issues, showcasing positive Black family relationships and healthy parenting.

This isn’t the first time ‘The Proud Family’ has faced criticism for promoting stereotypes. For instance, a queer character named Michael was reduced to a stereotype on the show.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that there are also positive aspects of the show, such as its exploration of Black girlhood. Additionally, the new reboot has stirred controversy among conservatives, indicating that it may be doing something right.

While harmful tropes are not exclusive to Black shows, they carry more weight when perpetuated by Black characters. Black media is under greater pressure to avoid reinforcing harmful attitudes about Black communities compared to white-focused content.

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and it’s important to recognize the contributions of the writers and actors on strike, without whom this work wouldn’t exist.

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