Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a decentralized political and social movement that aims to highlight racism, discrimination, and racial inequality experienced by the majority of Americans. The organization has removed a page on its website condemning America’s “Western-prescribed nuclear family structure” and called for family-friendly solutions. Today, 51 of U. S. adults say they support the Black Lives Matter movement, down from 67 in June 2020. A majority of Americans believe that the increased focus on race and racial inequality in the past three years has not led to significant change.
A poll in June 2016 found that 65 of black American adults supported Black Lives Matter and 40 of white American adults support it. Fifty-nine percent of black Americans thought that Black Lives Matter would be effective in the fight against police, social justice, and structural racism. Across racial and ethnic groups, people are more likely to support rather than oppose Black Lives Matter, with the strength of that support being highest among black Americans.
BLM is one of the most well-known organizations fighting for the well-being of Black people. Studies show that segregation persists in many American cities, leaving young Black men under the age of 29 killed every 23 minutes due to gang and police violence. If the ubiquity of BLM slogans and signs could change the minds of millions on matters of race, there is no reason to believe a Black Wives Matter movement wouldn’t do the same.
In a Pew Research Center poll the same month, 67% of Americans expressed some degree of support for Black Lives Matter. Defenders of the movement note that BLM never said anything about abolishing the nuclear family, and one of the deleted lines is “eradicate white supremacy”.
Today, 51 of U. S. adults say they support the Black Lives Matter movement, down from 67 in June 2020. A majority of Americans say the organization and its people are an abolition-centered foundation fighting institutional injustice and serving Black people globally.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Did the unexpected popularity of Steve Urkel, a nerdy … | Did the unexpected popularity of Steve Urkel, a nerdy Black character on Family Matters, challenge existing stereotypes of Blackness … | reddit.com |
| About Black Lives Matter | Black Lives Matter Foundation is an abolition-centered foundation fighting institutional injustice and serving Black people globally. | blacklivesmatter.com |
| Does Black Lives Matter aim to destroy the nuclear family? | Black Lives Matter has essentially said the nuclear family is untenable and that extended families provide the necessary support to take care of one another, … | arlington.novusagenda.com |
📹 Why Jaleel White’s Father Had to Intervene With The ‘Family Matters’ Cast UNCENSORED
Jaleel White’s father stepped in after Jo Marie Payton and Reginald VelJohnson told Jaleel White that he was doing a disservice …
Who Started The Black Lives Matter Movement?
In 2013, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, three radical Black organizers, initiated the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who killed unarmed Black teenager Trayvon Martin. This movement emerged as a reaction to systemic racism and police brutality against African Americans. Following the Zimmerman verdict, the trio organized a Freedom Ride to Ferguson, Missouri, attracting over 500 participants nationwide after the killing of Michael Brown. Garner's death in Staten Island, resulting from excessive force by police, further fueled the BLM cause.
The movement gained national prominence in 2014, amid continued violence towards Black individuals, expanding its reach on social media using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. Garza's poignant Facebook post after the Zimmerman acquittal served as a rallying call for those disillusioned with racial injustice.
The historical roots of BLM trace back to earlier civil rights and feminist struggles, echoing themes from the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and the 1980s Black Feminist movement. Currently, a significant portion of Americans (51%) express support for Black Lives Matter. Marking a decade since its inception, BLM continues to advocate for justice and equity, striving to end systemic violence against Black communities globally.
What Does The Slang BLM Mean?
Black Lives Matter (BLM) is an acronym representing a significant social and political movement founded in 2013 aimed at combating racism, discrimination, and inequality faced by Black individuals in America. The movement gained prominence, especially during nationwide protests against police brutality following high-profile incidents of violence against Black people. BLM serves as an affirmation that Black lives are valuable and underscores the importance of addressing systemic injustices.
While the phrase "Black Lives Matter" can be employed as a slogan or a hashtag, it embodies a broader message advocating for human rights and racial equality. The movement is decentralized, meaning it encompasses various organizations and individuals who rally together to demand change. Although BLM is often associated with protests reflecting a unified voice, not all demonstrators may belong to the formal organization. Ultimately, the phrase captures the enduring struggle against white supremacy and aims to highlight the necessity for fair treatment and respect for Black communities in society.
What Are The Criticism Of BLM?
Critics argue that the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement encourages violence against law enforcement, prompting the establishment of Blue Lives Matter groups as a counter. The cultural discourse surrounding BLM has been extensive, encompassing debates over ideological beliefs, protests, and how donations are utilized. However, critics often overlook the primary purpose of BLM. This movement, predominantly composed of young Black individuals and supported by various allies, raises crucial questions about the socioeconomic and political conditions necessary for Black lives to matter.
Advocates emphasize BLM’s role in forwarding racial justice, while opponents contend that it has not fulfilled the legacy of civil rights movements. Originating from the frustrations related to police brutality and systemic racial discrimination, the BLM hashtag gained traction in the U. S., leading to an international movement that sought to address various injustices. Nevertheless, skepticism persists regarding the movement's tactics, organizational structure, and engagement with political powers.
Additionally, some critics accuse BLM of lacking clear demands, which, they argue, detracts from its effectiveness. Despite these challenges, BLM continues to strive for significant changes while facing resistance that could impede anti-racist progress. The movement's focus is directed at systemic issues rather than individual actions, asserting that the goal is to rectify the brutalities inflicted by policing systems.
Who Are The Famous Leaders Of BLM?
In 2013, three Black female organizers, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, founded the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement as a response to the systemic dangers faced by Black individuals, highlighted by events such as the killing of Trayvon Martin. The movement gained international attention following the brutal murder of George Floyd in 2020, when former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.
This sparked widespread protests and a renewed focus on racial inequality and police violence. The BLM co-founders were recognized for their impact when they made the 2020 TIME100 list, an acknowledgment of their significant influence in social justice and activism.
The BLM movement, which began as a social media hashtag, has grown into a global movement advocating for Black lives and human rights, driven by activists united in shared goals. Garza has characterized the BLM Network as an online platform uniting activists under a common mission. In recent years, Black women, including the BLM founders, have played crucial roles in political outcomes, such as President-elect Joe Biden's victory, highlighting the effectiveness of grassroots organizing and activism. The legacy of historical Black leaders is echoed in the contemporary efforts of Garza, Cullors, and Tometi, who continue to strive for systemic change.
Is Black Lives Matter Still In Existence?
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, established by organizers Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi in 2013, is a decentralized network without formal hierarchy. Initially a response to Trayvon Martin's acquittal, it has evolved to address systemic racism, inequality, and other critical social issues facing the Black community. As of 2021, about 40 chapters exist across the U. S. and Canada. Although the movement gained significant momentum following George Floyd's murder in 2020, support among U.
S. adults has declined from 67% in June 2020 to 51%. Recent IRS filings reveal that the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation raised about $9 million in its last fiscal year, highlighting a decrease in donations connected to the racial justice movement.
Despite challenges, BLM continues advocating for various agendas, including critical race theory and socialist principles. The movement, symbolized by its notable hashtag, aims to foster awareness and mobilize collective action against racial injustice. As BLM approaches its 10-year anniversary, many Americans recognize the ongoing struggles for Black rights, particularly in realms such as employment, healthcare, and education.
Data shows that the movement's visibility has fluctuated, yet its influence persists in the fight for equity. This movement, while evolving, remains a vital force for social change and community empowerment.
What Has BLM Accomplished?
The emergence of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement catalyzed significant shifts in attitudes toward policing and the criminal justice system, creating a policy window for reforms at various levels of government. Key changes prompted by BLM include the implementation of implicit bias training, the adoption of body-worn cameras, and bans on no-knock warrants. Major sports leagues like the NHL, MLB, NBA, and WNBA have expressed support for the movement through demonstrations and educational efforts.
While only a small percentage of U. S. adults believe the movement has been very effective at enhancing police accountability, a majority recognize the issues raised by BLM activists. Following George Floyd's death, there have been notable societal reactions, including resignations of editors, removal of controversial statues, and police reform initiatives across cities. The core demand of BLM, ensuring equal protection for Black lives under the Constitution, has gained substantial public endorsement.
Additionally, BLM activists have engaged in advocacy against police misconduct, successfully leading to changes in leadership, such as the dismissal of Police Chief Charlie Beck in Los Angeles. Overall, BLM has emerged as a transformative force, mobilizing widespread public support and prompting crucial conversations about race and justice in America.
What Sparked BLM?
In 2013, after the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin, three Black activists—Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi—founded the BlackLivesMatter (BLM) movement. This decentralized political and social movement aims to confront racism, discrimination, and racial inequality faced by Black individuals, focusing significantly on police brutality and racially motivated violence.
The movement gained momentum following the tragic deaths of several Black men, including Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, which catalyzed protests nationwide against police violence. Initially sparked by Garza’s poignant tweet, the term "Black Lives Matter" emerged as a vital rallying cry, reflecting the urgent need for justice.
BLM has since evolved into a chapter-based national organization that advocates for the validation of Black lives, encompassing issues affecting Black women and LGBTQ communities, and undocumented individuals. While the movement gained widespread recognition around high-profile killings, its ideological roots trace back further, deeply entwined with historical struggles against systemic racism. Utilizing social media, BLM has reached a global audience, mobilizing protests and generating dialogue about race.
With its powerful slogan, Black Lives Matter not only emphasizes the need for racial equality but also seeks to abolish systems perpetuating violence against Black people, including policing and incarceration, marking a pivotal moment in contemporary civil rights advocacy.
Is BlackLivesMatter Still A Thing?
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, founded in 2013, operates as a decentralized network without a formal hierarchy, including around 40 chapters in the U. S. and Canada as of 2021. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, BLM sparked widespread racial justice initiatives, leading to a notable increase in awareness and activism. However, recent Pew Research Center polls indicate a decline in public support, dropping from 67% in June 2020 to 51% as of 2023.
This decrease coincides with sentiments that increased focus on race hasn't substantially improved racial inequalities in areas like jobs, healthcare, and education. Despite organizational challenges, the movement remains committed to its radical agenda, seeking institutional change and advocating for the rights of Black individuals. The BLM Foundation continues to fund initiatives aimed at creating a sustainable future for Black communities. Nonetheless, the fluctuation in support raises questions about the movement’s future and its ability to retain momentum.
Advocates stress the ongoing relevance of the BLM message as systemic disadvantages persist, and emphasize the importance of continued activism and community engagement. As BLM evolves, it remains a significant force in the discourse around race and social justice in America.
📹 James Avery on Family Matters
James Avery had a small cameo in the TV show “Family Matters”. This is from episode “Scenes From A Mall”.
If you are an adult cast member, and you have a problem with a part that a child actor is GIVEN, go to the writers and directors. You don’t go to the child and basically tell him about your feelings. You don’t put the honor of his entire race on his shoulders versus getting fired, while you keep your job. if what he is saying happened this way, I am so disappointed in them.
The show was failing and destined to be cancelled until Jaleel’s one-off appearance as Urkel. The Urkel character becoming not only permanent, but a primary focus, saved the show. There’s plenty of documented interviews and writings about the other cast member’s jealousy. They considered themselves the stars. Well, they were. They were the stars of a failing show that would have never been renewed. It took a real star coming on board, one that committed himself to his performances at that level, to save the whole ship from sinking.
Pity that the adults on these shows had to bully or guilt trip these young actors. I realize that most of these experienced actors were Broadway veterans where they didn’t make much money despite their great talents. When they got their chance to make money on TV, they seemed to want to dim the light of the child actors who rose to the top. I agree with the posters who acknowledged that love or hate the character, Jaleel White killed that role. He was a child genius to play all those characters and his parents kept him in line. A very underrated actor.
I’ve been perusal Family Matters reruns lately (big fan when I was a kid) and as an adult, it really strikes me how talented Jaleel White actually was, and how amazing of a job he did on the show. He was (/is) deserving of much more recognition than he ever got, and fully deserved Emmys/Golden Globes for his performances.
He plays so many characters & is amazingly talented…along w the rest of the cast,he’s brilliant. They cover so many topics & issues & always ends on a positive note. We could all learn from Steve Erkel. Everyone on show is so gifted & they will go far in the future. The show always makes me laugh & w my medical situation I need all the laughter I can get,that’s why I wait each a.m. to see show.BRAVO Jaleel
Nothing wrong with fellow actors who’ve been around a while and dealing with Hollywood trying to coach a younger fellow actor on the dangers of what Hollywood will try to do to them and how they’ll always try to get them to compromise just to get a laugh or higher ratings. If they didn’t do so then my only criticism is that the older actors should have told the producers/writers/directors directly what their concerns and objections were point blank rather than just approaching a child actor on it.
Jaleel really doesn’t get enough credit for being a physical actor. I think of guys like Martin Lawrence, Lucille Ball, Jim Carey. I really think you have to throw Jaleel in that conversation. He was absolutely great at that slapstick physical comedy and had incredible timing, especially for his age.
You can understand both sides of this, but they really should have taken this up with the producers. He was just a kid, and didn’t need to have that put on him. There’s already a alot pressure on him because he was basically carrying the show on his shoulders at such a young age, he didn’t need more added to it.
Jaleel did absolutely hilarious drag that episode. He totally committed. If memory serves he was afraid of his classmates reaction but they loved him for it. He really deserves credit for carrying a lot of unnecessary burdens on the show but in the end it was very clean family fun that entertained so many people.
Outstanding job by Jaleel for playing an excellent role on this show. An even better job by his father, who thought it was more important to support his son as he did his work, instead of worrying about his skin color, or what role he was playing at the time. He knew people wouldn’t look at it the way the other cast members did.
It was plain to the audience that Jaleel was just playing his roll and played it well. Nothing earth shattering or ground breaking in that. I would wager that the two that gave him all the flack were jealous of his talent so they used the ‘black men in dresses’ argument to try and shut him down. Which is silly on these terms. They should have been glad he was willing to go the extra mile to make the characters he played memorable. Because without Jaleel, they would have not made on TV for as long as they did. smh. God bless his Dad for stepping up.
That episode was hilarious and I never once thought of it as trying to degrade Jaleel. The list of white actors who have put on dresses and wigs and played women is long and prestigious. Robin Williams, John Travolta, Michael J Fox, Adam Sandler, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp, Patrick Swayze, Woody Harrelson etc. Literally some of the most respected actors in cinema history.
Some of the happiest times in my young life were perusal him play my favorite character. There are certain things that I remember from my childhood based on what episode of family matters I was perusal. I had no idea this was going on behind the scenes, I thought Myrtle was an amazing character… I still do! I’m sorry you had to put up with people forcing their negative opinions onto you like that. She was then, and is now one of my favorite characters I’ve ever seen on TV. Thank you
I always thought both Jaleel White and JoMarie Payton were the true anchors of Family Matters. The show was originally made for JoMarie, as her character spun-off from Perfect Strangers. At the same time, Jaleel came in, supposedly as a one-off, ended becoming a overnight sensation and became part of the main cast. The way he did physical comedy and the multiple characters, he was almost like a human version of Bugs Bunny in a way.
Please play Family Matters more. When I get to watch it, it brings me back to happy feelings I had as a kid. The morality and wholesomeness of the show, as well as many of the storylines are still do relevant today. Please keep showing it more often and regularly so younger generations can benefit from its goodness.
When a real father shows more support for his son/daughter who are giving their all for playing different characters in a show but the costars who play the role of parents do the opposite, open their mouth and insert their foot or just be plain selfish jackasses, you’ll know who you really has your back.
Being so young, yet being able to carry such a variety of colorful characters that even veteran actors would struggle under the weigh of, this guy is the pinnacle of acting talent. After the show ended, I looked forward to seeing him advance into even bigger roles and was disappointed that they didn’t seem to roll his way. For me the show was always the Urkel show. The rest of the cast were funny and it was well written, but let’s be honest, we all watched Family Matters for this talented man. He has that rare kind of charisma that can carry a stage with ease.
reginald hated Jaleel. He hated him because a 10 year old outshined this man who believed he was gonna be the next Mr. Jefferson with family matters and this kid obliterated that with his talent. And reginald was not quiet about it. The irony was that his anger and rage at jaleel made reginalds interactions with him so utterly realistic, that it amped up the humor to levels no other actor duo could have accomplished. It worked so well BECAUSE reginald HATED jaleel so completely…. but it came off as some of the greatest comedic acting ever put to film. Reginald owes his legacy to Jaleel White…. and I’m sure it despises that. Oh well.
The fact this show became a sensation was in major parts to this man here. Without him, this show would not have lasted as long and shame on Reggie and Jo Marie for saying that sort of thing to a kid. It’s a comedy show, grow a funny bone and roll with it. Super glad Jaleel’s father was a lion on the set for that.
I am a mixed girl in a white family and Family Matters gave me a home. It gave me a feeling of family and home that my family couldn’t give me. I am so thankful for that! Jaleel, you are an amazing actor and no matter what you were doing, you were an idol to so many people ❤ “Did I do that?!?” Yes, you did!!👍🏾
Congrats to Jaheel for doing the character and being proud to do it ( eventually led to him doing it again ) and his father standing up for him. Because he had to go through a lot for the next 9-10 years playing Urkel and variants. I understand it was a different time however I feel as though Harriet and Carl’s actor displayed their anger and upset on the wrong person as it should’ve went to production. Jaheel was doing what he was told to do he was a child actor. I understand where they was coming from at the time period and probably grown out of the whole black men wearing dress but he was just a child.
Those people who told you that are stupid… it’s comedy, and you killed it. Your work helped and inspired so many kids growing up, including myself!!! I remember in Elementary school looking forward to TGIF on ABC, Family Matters was the best show on the planet. Then Boy meets world came in then home improvement. Absolutely loved your work in FM Jaleel, your character Steve Urkel is truly an iconic American Classic.
As a young white kid, he was the epitome of cool to me. As a 4 time combat veteran getting ready to retire from the Army, husband and father of 2, he is still the coolest character in the history of television to me, and his portrayal of resilience, innocence, determination and love is still one of the greatest things this world has ever seen.
The fact that he was getting flack from his castmates for something the WRITERS were asking him, a child, to do… now that’s messed up. Why did they take out their issues on him instead of asking the writers to reconsider? And they accused him of not doing his “race” a service when Jo Marie later abandoned the show in the middle of the last season just because she was tired of playing the same character and wanted to do other things. How is that not a disservice? It was completely and utterly unprofessional. She had no right to lecture Jaleel about identity politics or how to do his job.
Why is everyone butt hurt about him being in a dress. He’s acting, I’m sure he was probably making a lot more money than any of you at that time at that age. When he was in that dress. Get over yourself, is acting. That’s what you’re supposed to do. You’re not supposed to be yourself, you’re playing a role. Maybe some of the men need to get over that toxic masculinity. As a man, I don’t see nothing wrong with this. Be comfortable with in your sexuality. Especially when you getting paid a check to act.
Go dad! It seems though that he went after the producers, instead of the cast members who were the real issue. Gotta say that was shitty of those adult cast members to go after a teenage kid like that. He was just an actor playing a part that he was given. They should’ve been ashamed of themselves for making him cry.
People need to remember why his “show parents” felt that way. You can YouTube the articles that Chappelle shared his views (on Oprah) on Hollywood forcing famous black actors to dress up in drag for “comedy relief”. Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Chris Tucker, Wesley Snipes, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, Donald Glover and many, many other black actors dressed in drag. Don’t blame Jo and Reginald. They knew that Jaleel had the power to reject the storyline. He still did it because he was coached by the wrong people. Jaleel thought that if he would “embrace the character”, that everything would be fine. He missed the point. Fair enough because he was sooo young. And his father stuck up for him – great! But to say he should’ve been mad at the other actors is just crap. They were protecting each other. I don’t remember another sitcom around that time where a white family had a bit character in drag.
Respect! As a father myself there was no way I would have let my son be coerce by others to wear a dress. Word of God taught me a long time ago how to live when my coffers are full and when they are bare. I’m to stay true to who I am in either state. A son needs to see his father stand up as man to others, especially defending his children.
I’m sad to hear that Jo Marie and Reggie tried to put that burden on a kid Jaleel. If anything that conversation should have been had With Jaleel parents and they could have decided if they wanted Jaleel to speak with them about it or not. What grown a** person guilt trips a kid who’s clearly just doing what the job asks of them. It’s not like he deeply knew the history of Black men in dresses in Hollywood. That part really grinds my gears. I’m so glad he had a dad there to stand up for him, protect him and advocate for him.
I’ll give his dad some credit…he let his young son learn a lesson and make some decisions for himself. He didn’t just jump in and solve the problem until it became dad’s problem to solve time. Jameel wanted to get it done and once it was finished the emotions set in and broke down a little. Then dad got up and said his what needed to be said to show him he had his back. He raised a good kid and let that kid use the tools he gave him. I’m amazed at how few parents know how to step back to a degree and let their kids learn to solve their own problems when possible. We are crippling our kids when we teach them what’s right but never let them actually make the right choice, answer for their actions, take the butt woopin they deserve when they screw up! This is a very good example of a man teaching his son how to be a man one day and that boy growing up to appreciate his father for it. Love this story! With that being said….I loved me some Urkel back in the day and I miss that era of television! Myrtle was hilarious by the way….that character’s pursuit of Eddie was too much!! Lol
What’s he talking about?…he played Mrytle Urkel more than once on Family Matters because I think Mrytle had a thing for Junior 😂🤣😂…and who the heck cares..that’s why they call it acting, men are always hilarious when they play women I don’t care what color they are I think it’s funny, it makes us laugh at ourselves and say, are we really over the top like that? 😂🤣
His cast-members were not wrong especially depending on your views of todays social climate. Black men wearing dresses is absolutely a TV trope that is definitely apart of the process when trying to excel in that industry. Daniel Curtis Lee who played Cookie on Ned’s Declassified also had to wear a dress in the early episodes of the show and this is show that came out in like 07-08? You have to realize that coincidences do not exist especially in the world of entertainment
I’m sorry but I’m just gonna have to say this, I believe part of the reason why the actors of Harriet and Carl Winslow said that to Jaleel was low key jealous of his success. It was supposed to be THEIR show, about THEIR family. But along comes the character of Urkel, originally supposed to be a one time guest character and HE was all anyone cared about and taking up all the screen time. Jo Marie Payton (Harriet Winslow ) seems like a lovely person, but a bit narcissistic. There’s that infamous clip of her talking about how her and Jaleel almost got into a fight. At one point she says she told the producers they “won’t even have a show” if it wasn’t for her. Yes I’m aware that the show is a spinoff of Jo Marie Payton and Reginald VelJohnson’s careers from Perfect Strangers. So what? Before Urkel the show was facing cancellation as they were just another boring generic TV show family. Urkel came along, stole the show and saved it as well. He is why the show lasted longer than a single season, let alone 9. Also, did anyone else’s characters sell talking dolls, cereal, lunch boxes and goodness knows what else. 🙂↔️. Did anyone else get to cameo in other hit shows (such as Full House 🏠), 🙂↔️ 👎. Sorry but no Urkel, no show.
Jaleel was amazing as Steve Urkel. I remember this episode and all I saw was Steves cousin…not Steve. Jaleel should have gotten at least 1 Emmy for his amazing portrayal..I can’t imagine Family Matters having the fanbase and impact it had without Jaleel knocking it out of the park each week. This episode though he knocked it way beyond the ballpark..superb job!! Hearing that the 2 adult leads said what they said is gutsy…his dad having his back is the stuff great fathers are made of..1st class dad.
I saw Jaleel in person years ago and he spoke of this. He didn’t mention Joe Marie and Reggie’s disdain for the character, but he said that he was actually not too thrilled to be playing the character and said he would only do it ONCE. He also said that he didn’t like Stefan Urkelle, the more smooth, charming character either. He said he thought the show worked just fine with him just playing Urkel, despite it becoming more difficult later in the run as his voice was changing and he had to maintain the high pitched voice. One more fact… ABC at one point wanted to change the title of the show to “The Steve Urkel Show” and give Jaleel top billing. Jaleel didn’t want this at all, considering he had already pissed off the cast with the character’s popularity. He insisted on staying billed last and to leave the show exactly as it was.
Excellent and sober testimony! You did your thing to the umph degree and moved on, just like it should be done. While doing biblical research for my spiritual books, I would take a break and watch t.v., and Family Matters was my favorite show. You stole that show, my brother! Urkel was such a beautiful, noble and funny character, he made me cry a couple times, and made me laugh all the time. Jaleel, you are a genius. Peace and Blessings from Brooklyn!
Eh. At the expense of my inherent negativity, I must say that I don’t really agree with the father. Having your kid’s back was great, sincerely, but why did he succumb to the pressure and only let Jaleel play Myrtle once? He obviously had no problem, the writers basically wrote the part, so the only ones that had a problem were Reggie and JoMarie. Pop should have said that Jaleel can play Myrtle as many times as he wanted.
I still remember being a kid and perusal this when it came out till the very end! very amazing show! so many episodes that made you relate.. like the gun shooting, Stefan, when Laura and Steve get married I feel like it must have been difficult growing up on tv too, point is can’t believe we are here now, the dress thing I think it ties to the whole humiliation ritual
Aw man I actually (vaguely) remember this episode. Again it’s a vague recollection but I remember enjoying it just as much as any other. I’m black and was a kid at the time so I cared nothing about any sort of perceived racism or belittling of a black male dressing up as female….and frankly, to this day, I still don’t see the connection. Other actors of different races have crossdressed for a part, either jokingly or seriously. I know all about the “Black pride” we try and instill in our people, but I don’t see a child actor playing a comedic part like this as being detrimental to that. Also: What sort of grown person would attack a child for doing such a part? If Jo Marie and Reginald had a true problem with this, they should’ve went to the showrunner/director/etc, not the Jaleel. Maybe they did initially, but they should have never spoken to him directly about it. Good on Jaleel’s father for stepping in though. Sad thing is – the burden he spoke of was not necessarily put on Jaleel by the writers. It was put on him by his own people, and that’s just disappointing.
I totally understand his sentiments. Hollywood really does have an obsession with Black men in dresses but I am glad he decided to play the character again. It was probably his best alter ego and really showed his level of talent as an actor. So many men play women in movies and it’s so unconvincing but Jaleel really made it seem as if Myrtle was a real person and not just a boy in a wig. The thing I liked also about Mrytle is that she wasn’t a stereotype like Shanaenae, Rasputia or Wanda. She was intelligent and wealthy (butt ugly but I mean there was only so much they could do 😂), a far cry from what Hollywood always does when Black men play Black women.
I think worrying about black men wearing dresses is not the most pressing issue facing black people. But making it an issue, kinda says a lot about the real problems. Making men afraid of doing and wearing things leads to easy control over black men who are too invested in their genitals. In other words, too many men and it gets gay. Like Diddy, like rap, like wearing pants below the butt kind of gay. It’s always the ones trying to look the most “manly”, who end uo being the most likely to tiptoe throw all the butts.
I loved Myrtle Urkel. I was Steve and Laura’s age, so to me, he was just a male actor playing a girl, we were to young to be expected to understand the politics of Hollywood putting black men in dresses. And, it was very funny at the time, with the Southern accent and all. Now he can see what’s up, but White was just a kid doing his job!
One of the most talented men in the history of film! He should have been dealt a better hand. I agree with the adults about brothers in dresses, but this young man did execute a masterpiece performance. I blame a degenerate industry that would think to place a male child into girls’ clothing for the farce. Seems a bit ritualistic.
Family Matters was a great show, for at least 5 seasons if I remember correctly, there were great characters and it had some great lessons as well. White has talent clearly, but obviously the whispers about him and his dad being difficult to work with is true, because he never got any meaningful work after this series ended
More appreciation to Jaleel White knowing just how much work & efforts he had to put into his characters he played in Family Matters! Luckily in 2023, world societies are more acceptable with others’ choice of life than back in the 1970s or 1980s … 😊🙏 Many Happy Good Blessings in Return to Jaleel White! 🌷🌿🌎💜🕊
I think Family matters broke the mold for a lot of other sitcoms of the time. Just like the Cosby’s .. Family matters, showed a nuclear family unit. Nobody was on drugs or portrayed as a stereotype… and Steve Urkel is literally the genius next door. His family was always away traveling, and seeing the World, they didn’t have time for him and his inventions, and truly saw how well rounded and mature he was. I think the whole emasculation/ dress wearing, was an issue for Jo Marie and Reginald, but I think for many of us it wasn’t seen like that. Why? Because Myrtle was literally like someone in everyone’s family. He wasn’t a mocking stereotype of a Black woman, like in Martin, or a hypersexual Black man in drag being sexualized. He was literally playing that weird cousin whos cooped up and is boy crazy and you take her to club and she don’t know how to act. There wasn’t a “demasculation” associated with it, Urkel wasn’t humiliated, and it showed his range as an actor. Nor did he do anything stereotypical or something he felt uncomfortable. Myrtle literally reminds me of some family, and even some of the girls that went to school around me.
I loved Family Matters when I was a kid!! It was surprisingly one of the very few things that me and my brother (my only sibling) who was only two years older so we liked most of the same tv shows. When you hear (or read on YT) people talk about perusal tv back in the 80’s and 90’s and they joke about during commercials one sibling would run to get drinks or snacks and the other sibling stayed by the tv to yell that the show was coming back on so neither missed a moment. For kids that didn’t grow up back then, there were no repeats, if you missed an episode, you missed it, the last episode wasn’t on right before the new one like they do now. One of your friends that saw the episode had to tell you what happened. There was no recording it aka DVR and there definitely wasn’t any fast forward or rewind. “Steve Urkel” was the outcast but he was everyone’s favorite, I’ll never forget when they started using his formula and machine to bring “Stephon” out! No one could believe that was really what Jaleel really looked and most importantly sounded like!! Jaleel White is absolutely an icon and should’ve won every single award possible for all the characters he played and how well he played them!!! We love you Jaleel!!!!
100% agree with you, Jaleel. And it wasn’t like it was your idea or your choice… There are many people behind the scenes that decided to have you dress as that character. The writers, for instance. As a white child growing up with you and perusal you on screen every week, I never once thought about any of the cast member’s race. And when you dressed up as that character, I never thought about anything outside of the storyline that was unfolding. I never thought anything about the real people behind the characters being a disappointment or anything negative for them, playing the rules that they played. In fact, I always admired all of you, the writers, the creators, etc. for continuously infusing life lessons, and the constant reminder of excepting the people around you who may be a little different. Week after week you all taught this to children and their parents. Given the current state of things, and how people treat each other in this country and the huge divide, I sincerely wish that Show would come back again. There are so many people who need to learn the lessons about how to love and treat each other and how family sometimes isn’t only blood related. Thank you for everything.