Dear ABC Family.…Are you kidding me? You need to get real with “Lincoln Heights”. For those of you who haven’t seen it, “Lincoln Heights” is a show about a Black Los Angeles police officer, Eddie Sutton (Russell Hornsby), his nurse wife Jenn (Nicki Micheaux), and their three teenage children. The Sutton family moves from the suburbs back to the inner-city neighborhood where Eddie grew up. He faces the struggle to balance the safety and happiness of this family with his desire to change the neighborhood. It’s great to see a positive image of a Black family, besides The Cosby’s. Although “Lincoln Heights” has been on the air for four seasons,not a lot of people have seen it— three of the lead actresses were recently on “The Mo’ Nique Show”, saying that this was their first ever talk show appearance! Sad, yet not surprising. Besides reality buffonery, shows that are predominately black never receive as much publicity as other shows.
Anyway, although I believe we should promote our Black actors/actresses, as a Black female viewer I have recently become slightly turned off of by the cheesier than macaroni unrealistic portrayal of the Sutton’s responses to both of their teenage daughter’s interracial relationships. Since season one the eldest daughter, Cassie (Erica Hubbard) has been madly in “love” with her white boyfriend Charles (Robert Adamson)—together known as “Chassie”. In the past season, younger daughter, Lizzie’s (Rhyon Nicole Brown), black love interest was killed off—yes y’all the nice Black boy dies!—and this season she is with a Hispanic guy. Their younger brother Tay, never has a girlfriend. Television, especially Disney affiliated ABC Family, loves the double standard of having a white guy with a non-white girl, but they would never show a young black male having a white or non-Black girlfriend. I know damn well Disney writers/producers won’t let “Hannah Montana” have a black love interest! (If they did, I’d love to see that episode!)
Yes I know it’ 2009, we have a biracial President, entertainers who have non-black signifant others, movies like “Jungle Fever”, “Guess Who”, and “Something New”, however this is still a very sensitive subject. ABC Family may be trying to reach a wider demographic and send the message that in 2009 race doesn’t matter, but it still does! Interracial relationships may be the norm in certain parts of the country, but regardless of location there are still issues about them that still exist.
If the show had better writers or was on another network like Showtime, HBO, etc., it could have the potential to be more realistic and reach more viewers. Regardless of race, most mothers and fathers are concerned about who their daughters are dating. It much be difficult for a hard working Black man and police officer to see his eldest daughter, Cassie and baby girl, Lizzie dating—especially with non-black males. Characters “Charles” and “Cassie “usually dominate most episodes; however they only lightly touch on their interracial relationship— they never really go as in-depth as they should.
As a regular viewer, I think that Cassie is written as either dumb and over sexualized—and she’ll do anything for her “Prince Charles”. In Season 3 Cassie loses her virginity to Charles on the stage after school play practice— which was videotaped and leaked online (but no one found out their identities). Most recently, in the season four finale, Charles is upset about Cassie’s opportunity to attend art school in New York, and in typical Charles fashion manipulates the situation by randomly thinking of joining the military, so she won’t leave him. When Cassie finds this out she goes into damsel in distress mode and runs to stop Charles. Then she asks him to marry her! They have a quickie wedding at the courthouse— which her father tries to stop because the family wants to be there to witness this amazing event.. Oh yeah, one more thing the Black parents allow the 18 year old newlyweds to move in with them, they all hug have a reception in the living room and live Happily Ever After!
I literally rolled on the floor and laughed then yelled at the TV, “What the Hell? You know Black parents don’t act like that?!?!” What parents, yet alone Black parents, would be so cheery and happy that their 18 year old daughter in high school is ignoring her future and school to marry her boyfriend?!? Maybe “Lincoln Heights’” producers are trying to play it safe with by being unrealistic because the greatly reveered black shows like: “Soul Food”, “The Game”, “New York Undercover”, “Boston Public”, and “The Wire”, all were randomly canceled. The way the season 4 finale ended, I am unsure of the future of this show—whether it’s over forever or for a moment. Just an observation………..
—-
Amber Williams identifies with Tyler James Williams’ character in “Everybody Hates Chris” because she was the only black female in her class at the presitgious prep school, the Brookstone School. Now she’s living in “A Different World” as
a freshman and Mass Communications/Broadcast Journalism major at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA. She has always been attracted to the music, pop culture, documentaries, and politics but Williams would really like to change some of the negative depictions of blacks in the media!
If you liked this post, we think you might like these too:
November 11th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
In two Hannah Montana episodes, Corbin Bleu makes guest appearances as a love interest for Hannah Montana. So if you’d love to see those episodes, look it up. Also, you are extremely negative. I went to high school with you, and you alienated yourself from the rest of the school. Your negativity and rudeness lead you to have a difficult time, not your race. Also, just because your parents wouldn’t like you getting married at 18 doesn’t mean someone’s parents wouldn’t. Not all parents are like yours, and some would embrace their child’s decision for whatever reason. Your narrow-minded perspective really inhibits your outlook on absolutely everything.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Hello, thanks for taking time out to read my article, You are entitled to your opinion as well as I am.. I would really like to know who you(hi) are, you’re probably one of my “facebook friends” who read the link, It’s amazing what people can type behind a Computer, but never send a Message Via facebook or Say something to My Face since you think you know soooo much about Me, and this article had nothing to do with MY PARENTS, I don’t know if you are Black or Not and what RUDENESS seems you have a personal issue with ME in particular, you should settle it with ME not the website or article, Sicnerely Amber williams
November 12th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
I admire this writer’s boldness in expressing her points of views. I don’t find her extremely negative. I’ve watched Hannah Montana before and believe that you had a good point about her interest in Corbin Bleu but all of the other stuff was unnecessary. Instead of talking about the article you ended up talking about the author.
I thought the article was thought provoking and her opinion is her opinion. ABC does indeed show predominantly Caucasian shows. I would therefore not think it bizarre if they misinterpreted what a black family is really like. I myself have only watched Lincoln Heights a couple of times, but if what Amber said is true, I would agree that what the oldest daughter was doing is definitely naïve and stupid. However, I’m not sure if how she was acting is offensive to black families or all females who have boyfriends. I’m not sure if race has anything to do with the unrealistic qualities depicted by the producer or if the producer is just over doing the dramatics. Either way, I found the article intriguing and well written.
Mary
November 12th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I think the author had some good points.First,I don’t think Lincoln Heights is realistic at all.I have a problem with all the major networks win it comes to interacial dating.Its never a problem with the networks pairing a non-black male with a black sister.How many times have you seen a black brother dating a white girl on network television. As, a black father with a daughter and son I do not promote interacial dating.It is hard enough to have a goog relationship without carrying the problems interational relationship brings.The best movie I have seen that speaks to this issue is Sidney Poiter”s quess who”s comingto dinner.
You would think that major tv networks would take a page from NBC win the Cosby’s dominated Thursday Nights and The Fox network followed with Martin and Livin Single. I applaud Lincoln Heights but their needs to be more diversity in there programing. Let me just say there needs to be more black programming.It is what it is.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:01 am
This article is so true. Lets get real for a minute. I know the station is called ABC Family. People from ABC Family are so wrapped up and blinded by that name they don’t put unrealistic scenes in that show. And that is also kind of mysterious how The Game, The Wire, Soul Food, New York Undercover, and Boston Public were all canceled. The shows that bring the most reality of certain lifestyles were all canceled, my guess for being to realistic. I totally agree to everything put into this article even though I don’t watch Lincoln Heights. If you can’t be more realistic when it comes to these shows put them on another station.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:07 am
Incredible article Amber… I have never watched Lincoln Heights before BUT you make me want to catch to all of what you, in so many words have called “non-sense”! Thank you so much for your candor and humor. I enjoyed it all! (…cheesier than macaroni unrealistic portrayal…” So funny!)
November 13th, 2009 at 1:08 am
THE HISTORY OF TELEVISION SHOWS HAS ALWAYS PORTRAYED THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHARACTER AS THE TOKEN PERSON WHO HAS TO FULFILL ALL THE STEROTYPES THE WORLD COMES UP WITH. INDEED, IT IS TRULY A SHAME THAT THE MEDIA HAS NOT EVOLVED FROM THE THINGS THAT MAKE THE “AFRICAN AMERICAN” SEEM OVERLY BLACK. WE ARE DEPICTED AS BEING GHETTO, RUDE, AND DISRESPECTFUL AND THIS MUST CHANGE SOON. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN THE DREAM THAT MY HERO THE POSTHUMOUS DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HAD AND HIS DREAM WAS FOR ALL NATIONATILITES AND RACES TO BE TREATED EQUAL IN EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE. THEREFORE, THAT INCLUDES ON TV AND IN THE MEDIA AS WELL. THAT IS WHY WHATEVER MY LIFE’S WORK IS I AM DETERMINED TO DO IT SO WELL THAT ALL THE HOST OF HEAVAN AND EARTH WILL HAVE TO PAUSE AND SAY IRRESPECTIVELY OF HER RACE SHE IS DOING A SUPERB JOB BY PROJECTING HER VOICE TO THE WORLD. THE TIME TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD IS NOW AND WE MUST START WITH THE BARRIERS OF THE TV AND MEDIA!!! SO AMBER THANKS FOR IDENTIFYING WITH A CHARACTER BECAUSE THIS BEGINS THE JOURNEY FOR TRUE JUSTICE TO EMERGE IN EVERY WAY!!
*THE RIGHTEOUS BLACK PANTHER*
November 13th, 2009 at 1:11 am
I believe the article was well written, in fact I enjoyed it immensley. Yes I do agree Lincoln Hieghts does protray an unrealistic perspective of the dating in a black neighborhood. However, I do commend them for trying to display interracial dating, because even my parents were active in interracial dating, and I believe it is BEAUTIFUL. I also have to say Corbin Bleu was a GUEST star on Hannah Montana, because he is already signed to Disney, but not a regular cast member.
It was a very well written article, I enjoyed reading it and …. Amber I hope you post another blog sometime soon!
T
November 13th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
honestly this show is a pile of shit that shouldnt be on tv. and petty drama should not be started as a comment. The show isnt a real look at black family life thats what the author was trying to explain.So bringing her family and homelife in shouldnt matter! We have all have graduated and are above 18 act like a grown woman and quit with the drama!
November 13th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I do not watch Lincoln Heights, nor know the characters. I heard about the article from someone else who read it and thought it was well written.
My comments are concerning the article only.
Amber expresses herself very well and has definite opinions. This is a perfect article for the VIEW, Oprah, or even Wendy Williams show. Go Amber!
November 13th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I was the only black female in the entire high school when i was at Brookstone, but the students were so embracing and loving towards me. I never had an issue, but maybe i was lucky enough to have students who were intelligent enough to know that I was different, but accepting to the differences. I am sorry that you did not have a good experience there, I have heard some other blacks say they had issues too. Man- High school is supposed to be FUN! As far as the show, I’ve been saying that I want to watch the show and support these actors and actresses bec. too many good shows with predominately black actresses get canceled. Some blacks don’t have bad attitudes and don’t roll their necks and speak incorrectly and quite frankly I get sick of shows that have that one black character who is obnoxious and ghetto, because that is not an accurate depiction of us. Flava Flav, I Love New York, etc. are a disgrace and an insult, so when you get a family like the Cosby Show, it teaches little black kids that it’s okay to be intelligent and adapt to America’s standards.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
I’ve been criticized my entire life bec. I attended ‘white’ schools and had a mother who wanted me to succeed despite the color of my skin. I have dated white guys and gotten mean stares, but you are right Amber, a white girl with a black guy… America says that is a no,no. They don’t like it and it will not be shown on tv bec. they dont want white girls with black guys. i have a coworker who told me his family was devastated because his little sister has a black boyfriend. I had to tell him, ‘Guess what? He’s black, not a monster.’ A guy told me in college that his mom said that ‘back then’ whites thought of blacks the same way we all think of cockroaches today! Idiots want to convince blacks that race is no longer an issue- obviously not. In the top 50 most beautiful people that magazines put out, you may find 3 blacks and 2 of them are Halle Berry and Vanessa Williams who are the lightest, less black looking, biracial females. It hurts but I just know that ignorance will live on until God calls us all away from this place.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
…and I live in a suburban neighborhood that is predominately white, but there is a black girl who married (a black guy) soon after graduation and they are both living at her parent’s home. So not typical and I was in shock, but it happened. It may have been different if he was white, but I hope not.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Well I agrre that this article was very insightful and did give some great points. With Black fmailies on tv, we are usually no portrayed in a realistic manner…maybe lack of the writers in some parts but I do find this Common throughtout the Media. Smart Guy was a great show and Disney should definately get more shows like that. And yes the show THE GAME needs to come back ASAP!!! But Girl I like the article. and to Lil Miss Sunshine on the first comment….girl please.
November 14th, 2009 at 1:02 am
first off, to the first girl: Corbin Bleu is not a regular love interest on the show, and how could Amber alienate herself, when ignorant people like you surround her at her school.
second: nice blog. nuff said
November 14th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I read and enjoyed the article. I have never seen the show and it doesn’t sound appealing to me. I will say that it sounds to me that ABC doesn’t make Cassie seem too “dumb”. Just from what you wrote, it seems like she is aware of who she is and knows what she wants but Charles on the other hand seems insecure and unsure of who he is which is a change from how white males are usually portrayed. And as with any race, some girls will do things in life to please their man, (losing the virginity and where). Is it right, no…I know that is not the topic but… Is this the typical african american/black household? No! Do these type of african american/black households exist? Yes! Maybe not this same set up but I do believe that there are higher earning income african american/black families who live just like this. We may not know any but there are those who attend the predominantly white schools and “fit” in. That may not have been your experience but some do and they accept the “lifestyle”. Along with that, their perspectives change and they don’t act the way that most “black” people would. Life is vast and full of so many different people. We are not all the same. Some accept things others wouldn’t. That’s what makes all people special! Love you and keep it up!
November 14th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Well written article Amber.This article should be presented on the “View”, also a hot topic for the Wendy show. This issue has always been around, and will continue until people let go of the deep rooted hatred in their hearts. Until blacks learn their roots and sacrifices made for the freedom of choices they enjoy today, they will continue that quest to become accepted, and that desire to be white by any means necessary. That “white girl hair” has us acting a fool.
The sad thing is… and THEY know it, we don’t like who we are. Yet so many of them are trying to become who we are. They are picking up our REJECTS and making them think they are IMPORTANT. Consequently, these new IMPORTANY people are turning their backs on their people. WE are all at fault for this mess.
November 14th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
i totally understand where she is coming from. its either we’re shown on tv as extremly ghetto o extremly booshie. and to me….u have people out there who are a lil in between. yes we kame along way havin a black man in the white house i think we still have some room to go.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Great stuff, sis. Its true though.. Because we all know, that if I had gone off and done everything that Cassie did.. GW would’ve been in jail right now. lol. If they were trying to portray a true black family, she would’ve gotten more than the silent treatment and a few lectures. Ridiculous.
November 15th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Amber I aplaud your courage to speak your heart so ellaquently and raise this issue of thought provoking interest!!! You being a young African-American college student aspiring to become a successful journalist– this is the first of many opportunities you will have to “Shake the Tree”– if you will and challenge not just a television network show but our society as well .
Your thoughts and opinions throughout your bright budding career will be loved and often challanged however, it is your responsibility to stay true to yourself and what you belive in your heart. We as a people have come so far because of sacrafices from many of our heroes who were willing to lay it on the line.
I’m just proud to know that you are striving to educate the masses that we can be different yet still offer brilliant and productive ideas in business and in media. Thank you for demanding true respect and dignity for an often misunderstood, underestimated and overlooked race of people.
November 15th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Although i have never viewed the show after reading this article i do not think that i will be viewing, or perhaps just might do it for the hell of it e.i. the giggles i would get from watching this cheap sorry imitation of a black American family. where do you get off with letting your daughter and her husband move into your house. and what would have been yet even more believable is the fact that a problem would have occurred with the inter racial relationship instead of them just acting like one big happy family. hell we know folks is not getting along that well. hell i went out to dinner with a white friend and then went to wal-mart and people stared and followed us around just to see if we were together! so i know this mess is not flying and the most terrible part is people stories still are not being told and precious tv film is being wasted on piles of shit like this! i mean i guess all that is left to ask is WHATS REALLY GOING ON????
November 15th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Amber, I can genuinely appreciate the thoroughness in your article, I actually tend to agree with most of what you said. Having read your article, and a few responses, I tend to agree with your stance on the unrealistic nature of the show. I have only watched one episode thoroughly and I can say that I felt as if there was a genuine attempt to show some tension, although it was certainly watered down. The mainstream media can never show a true depiction of anything though, so its my opinion that this should not surprise you, me or anyone else, because everyone knows the media distorts it all. This same media which you speak of tells every girls they must be skinny and fit, white girls need to be blonde, black girls light skinned- black males, atheletes; white males, models. Honestly, although it is unfortunate, it is nothing new in the eyes of the media to be unrealistic, so my thought is that it’s best to just let it go and pray for another season.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:07 am
As a regular viewer and a young black male, I agree with Ambers observation in this article. Lincoln Heights started with original, thought-provoking episodes but has steadily cascaded into corny, un-realisitc circumstances. That of which is shared by other ABC Family shows such as “The Secret Life of the American Teenageer” but that a whole different topic. I have nothing against inter-racial relationships, but i think ABC family could have chosen a different way to portray the relationship of the two Sutton sisters. Out of all the young men in their community, church, and school, these two sisters find the white male, and the latino teenager. As if there are no suitable young black men in the entire area. And the lack of discipline enforced by the parents when the Sutton kids disobey the house makes me laugh. No parents whether black, white, hispanic shows such light hearted standards of discipline that the Sutton parents show. If the Suttons were my parents I would have ran off and got married at 18 as well. In order for ABC family to turn this around and attract more viewers they should consider taking a more realistic approach parenting, as well as settling these young girls down. And some body give Tay a girfriend. ABC family has fallen into typical black stereotypes thinking that it will help the show last, but in actuality it is losing its faithful viewers (myself). it wouldn’t hurt if the youngest Sutton child Taye, could be good at something other than dancing and singing. I guess next season taye is going to join the j.v. basketball team. All in all, the show is ok, just needs a new, more authentic approach for next season. If it makes it that far.
Great article Amber!! i see you!! LOL
November 17th, 2009 at 11:30 am
The article was excellent. I totally agree about the interracial dating in this society. I’ve never watched Lincoln Heights before but I did watch New York Undercover, Flava Flave and The Game. It’s a shame to see those programs disappear of the networks when they are still playing other TV shows that really doesn’t matter like reality shows that be coming on MTV and other broadcasting channels. Maybe one day our society and broadcasting networks will change.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Well written, I think the portrayals leave a little more to be desired by the audience. And one point that rubs me wrong: is the celebration of marriage at 18. Freedom of choice is powerful in dating, decision making and life. Thanks for causing us to ‘Think” about the unrealistic views that are continuously displayed on TV.
December 4th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I also went to school with you and can agree with the other poster from Brookstone. Also, your typos, misspellings, and wrong capitalization devalue your opinion to the point where even if I were truly unbiased, which I am not after years of your irrational ranting via Facebook statuses, I wouldn’t hold it highly. I also read the other comments, particularly that of Dale A. Williams, and am astounded that the English language can be butchered so brutally. Grammatically, phonetically, and punctually, the sentences pained me to read. Your focusing on the “problems” existing within interracial relationships (notice the spelling, Mr. Dale A. Williams) only further slows the bridging of racial divides that this country has been working towards since the those times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and even back to slavery. While we have a long way to go, your continuing to do this serves the same purpose a speedbump does in a parking lot. I wish you the best in this world because you are going to need it.
December 4th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Amber, you have done it again. You have once again managed to attempt to tarnish the reputation of Brookstone High School with your bs about how you were the only black girl in your class. I guess my issue with the whole situation was even though you felt “oppressed by the white man”, you stayed at the school anyway..and to make matters worse you werent being oppressed,and you were not the only black girl or black person for that matter in the school. None of the other black people there had a problem so if you put two and two together, it obviously shows that you were the problem, not the “white man”. And to be quite honest, that is one of the most antiquated excuses you could have thought of…for God’s sakes its 2009, and its about time you recognize that and leave that Black oppression bs back in the 60’s where it came from.
December 13th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
As someone who has watched almost all the episodes of Lincoln Heights, I must disgree wholeheartedly with your review on the show. It is primarily about a family that is attempting to navigate the issues that surround raising adoloscent children in a “bad” neighbourhood and dealing with the struggles that arise. It was never intended to be entirely about inter racial dating per se. Furthermore, accusing their protrayal of the dynamics of the relationship between Cassie and Charles who happen to be of different heues as unrealitic, pre-supposes that there is solely one realistic view of the dynamics that are supposed to exist in such a relatioship. Cassie and Charle are teenagers first and foremost and so go through the typical (or not so typical) things that come along with that. You seem to think that not enough emphasis is being placed on the fact that they are of so-called different “races” – I think it’s laudable. You say that it is unrealistic that a father’s main concern is the character of the person his daughter goes out with and not the colour of his skin…I say that’s damn shame if in your reality the colour of a person’s skin is the be-all and end-all. In my opinion Eddie has more legitimate reasons to object to Charles, the least of which is the colour of his skin (which is a non-issue to the parents).
I also really must object to your saying that Cassie is portrayed as “dumb”. Unless if by “dumb” you mean consistenly being shown to be ambitious, goal orientated, conscientious and talented, well then yeah…she is indeed the dumbest character on the show.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:45 pm
As an avid fan of Lincoln Heights…..I actually take issue with the fact that your summary of the show is incorrect. I feel that if you’re going to give highlights of why something is unrealistic then your reasons should be accurate.
You stated that “They have a quickie wedding at the courthouse— which her father tries to stop because the family wants to be there to witness this amazing event.. Oh yeah, one more thing the Black parents allow the 18 year old newlyweds to move in with them, they all hug have a reception in the living room and live Happily Ever After!”
That leads me to believe that you didn’t actually watch the episode, because they didn’t get married at the courthouse. When Cassie’s family arrived she told them that they couldn’t get married without family there. The celebration at the house was just for the sake of celebrating. Also…at no point did they “let the newlyweds” move in with them. You completely made that up. The very end of the episode showed the parents congratulating themselves for the couple NOT getting married but instead choosing to go to college and WAIT.
Again….I really hope you focus on accuracy in your future articles.
January 27th, 2010 at 3:58 am
Lincoln Heights is a unrealistic show about this city. First off the majority of the people are illegal immigrants from central america and mexico,throw in some chinese and mexican american families. Another thing the police are non existant if you call them maybe they show up within 4 hours…lol..also where are the street taco stands and corn vedors..lol… this show should be set in south central la then it would be realistic. i have seen maybe 3 blacks here in about 25 years…so abc get with the program when you do your research