Assignment Prompt & Instructions
culture.
**files (2)**
– ## AmyrreahEaton_PopCulture_Assignment.pdf
– ## CO547PopCulturePaperAssignment.pdf
**## AmyrreahEaton_PopCulture_Assignment.pdf**
Minority Representation in Black-ish
Amyrreah Eaton
Course Name
Instructor Name
May 20, 2026
Minority Representation in Black-ish
Television has a huge impact on how people view different cultures and communities. For years,
many sitcoms either ignored minority groups completely or portrayed them in a stereotypical
way. Some characters were only included to be “the funny one” or to fit certain assumptions
society already had. However, newer shows have started creating more realistic portrayals of
minority families and their everyday experiences. One show that does this well is Black-ish. The
show follows an upper-middle-class African American family and balances humor with real
conversations about race, identity, and culture. One character that stands out the most is Andre
Johnson, also known as Dre. While the show is meant to be funny, Dre’s character often reflects
real concerns and experiences many African Americans face in society today.
Dre is shown as a successful Black man who cares deeply about his family and his culture.
Throughout the show, he constantly worries that his children are growing up disconnected from
their roots because they live a more privileged lifestyle than he did growing up. A lot of the
humor comes from Dre trying too hard to make sure his kids understand Black culture and
history. Even though some of his reactions are exaggerated for comedy, the message behind
them feels real. Many parents want their children to stay connected to where they come from,
especially when they grow up in environments where they may feel pressure to fit in with
everyone else.
One episode that really stood out to me was “Hope.” In this episode, the family discusses police
brutality after hearing about a police shooting on the news. Dre struggles with deciding how
much he should explain to his children while also wanting to protect them emotionally. The
episode was emotional, but it still included moments of humor that felt natural instead of forced.
What made this episode important was how realistic it felt. These are conversations many Black
families have had in real life. The show did not avoid the topic just because it is uncomfortable.
Instead, it used comedy carefully while still taking the issue seriously.
Another episode I watched was “The Nod.” This episode focused on a small but meaningful part
of Black culture where Black people acknowledge each other with a nod in public. Dre becomes
upset when another Black man does not return the nod, which turns into a funny situation
throughout the episode. At first, it seems like a silly topic, but it actually reflects deeper ideas
about connection, belonging, and shared experiences within the Black community. I liked that
the show was able to take something simple and make it both funny and meaningful at the same
time.
I think Black-ish does a good job balancing accurate representation with comedy. Of course,
there are moments where stereotypes are exaggerated for entertainment. Dre can be dramatic at
times, and the family’s lifestyle may not represent every African American family. However, I
do not think the show uses those stereotypes in a harmful way. Instead, it often challenges
stereotypes by showing African American characters as educated, successful, loving, and
emotionally complex. The family faces normal problems just like anyone else while also dealing
with issues connected to race and identity.
The characters’ minority status is definitely part of the humor in the show, but I think there is a
difference between laughing at a culture and laughing with it. Most of the jokes in Black-ish are
connected to real cultural experiences, misunderstandings, generational differences, or social
situations. The humor helps make serious topics easier to discuss without taking away from their
importance. In my opinion, that is one reason why the show became so popular. It entertains
people while also encouraging them to think about issues they may not normally talk about.
Watching Black-ish also made me realize how important representation is in television. Growing
up, a lot of shows either lacked diversity or only showed minorities in negative ways. This show
feels different because the characters are shown as complete people instead of stereotypes. They
are successful, flawed, funny, emotional, and relatable. Even though the family is wealthy, the
show still highlights challenges many African Americans experience in schools, workplaces, and
society overall.
From a counseling perspective, I also think the show highlights how culture and lived
experiences affect families and mental health. Dre’s fears about race, identity, and belonging
clearly affect the way he parents his children and communicates with his family. The show
demonstrates how important it is to understand someone’s background and experiences before
making assumptions about them. As future counselors or helping professionals, it is important to
recognize how cultural identity can shape a person’s emotions, relationships, and worldview.
Another thing I noticed while watching Black-ish was how often the characters had to balance
being themselves while also fitting into professional or social environments that were mostly
White. Dre especially struggled with code-switching, which is when someone changes the way
they speak or act depending on who they are around. The show used humor to talk about this, but
it also highlighted a real pressure many minorities experience every day. In several episodes, Dre
wanted his children to succeed in life while also staying proud of who they are culturally. I think
this added depth to the show because it showed that cultural identity is not always simple.
Sometimes people feel pressure to act differently in order to be accepted, and that can affect
confidence, relationships, and mental health. This is something counselors and helping
professionals should understand because cultural stress and identity struggles can have a major
impact on individuals and families.
Overall, Black-ish provides a strong representation of African American culture while still being
entertaining and funny. Andre Johnson is portrayed as more than just a stereotype, which allows
viewers to connect with him on a deeper level. Although some situations are exaggerated for
humor, the show still addresses important social issues in an honest and relatable way. I think
Black-ish is a great example of how sitcoms can use comedy not only to entertain people, but
also to educate and start meaningful conversations.
References
Barris, K. (Creator). (2014–2022). Black-ish [TV series]. ABC.
Smith, J. A. (2020). Humor, race, and identity in American sitcom television. Cultural
Communication Review, 8(2), 91–104.
– Minority Representation in Black-ish
– References
**## CO547PopCulturePaperAssignment.pdf**
Page 1 of 4
Pop Culture Paper Assignment
Watch at least 2 episodes of any television situation comedy. After watching the
programs, identify any minority characters, and describe how any one of these minority
characters was portrayed. Detail if the portrayal was accurate or stereotypical and
whether the character’s minority status alone was used as a source of humor.
The paper should be no more than 4 pages long with additional cover and reference
pages.
The paper must be submitted in Microsoft Word; Times New Roman font; 12 pt.
font size; margins 1” on all sides; double-spaced. The assignment should be written
on a graduate level and references used should be cited within the discussion and
documented in a reference list using APA styling.
Post your paper, as a single document, to the grade book.
Send your instructor an email when you are ready for your assignment to be graded.
CACREP Standards Addressed: 2F.2.a and 2F.2.d
Scoring Guidelines
Points available: 100.
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
Introduction
Establishes historical
background and defensible
thesis that supports a logical
line of reasoning (CACREP
2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Underdeveloped
introduction; reason for
culture selection is
unclear or missing;
historical background is
inaccurate or missing
Coherent introduction
that includes a reason
for culture selection;
historical background is
accurate but limited
Engaging, well
developed introduction
that includes a detailed
reason for culture
selection; historical
background is accurate
and thorough
Focus & Purpose
Developed thesis and
attentive focus on topic
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Missing thesis; confusion
about or
misunderstanding of
topic; no sense of
purpose
Simplistic and unfocused
ideas; limited sense of
purpose
Developed thesis;
represents sound
understanding of the
assigned topic; focused
Ideas, Support &
Development
Supports ideas and
reflections using specific
and relevant examples of
No or limited
evidence/experiences
are provided to support
ideas and reflections;
evidence is incomplete,
incorrect, oversimplified,
Provides necessary
evidence/experiences to
support ideas and
reflections; the
importance/relevance of
all pieces of
Relies on compelling and
detailed
evidence/experiences to
support ideas and
reflections; the
importance/relevance of
Page 2 of 4
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
evidence/experiences
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
or disconnected from the
context
evidence/experiences is
unclear or under
developed but does
support the ideas and
reflections presented
and is placed properly
within the context
all pieces of
evidence/experiences is
clearly stated; considers
alternate interpretations
of evidence/experiences
to enhance
demonstration of cultural
intelligence
Conclusion
Establishes clear conclusion
based upon
evidence/experiences
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Missing or no connection
of evidence and analysis
to the reflections; fails to
summarize the argument
coherently
Limited connection
between evidence and
analysis to reflections;
summarizes some ideas
and thoughts but repeats
ideas to support
reflections
Engaging, strongly
connects evidence and
analysis to reflections;
summarizes the main
topics without repeating
previous ideas
Structure &
Organization
Text has unity and
coherence to accomplish the
focused purpose
No paragraph structure;
or single, rambling
paragraph; or series of
isolated paragraphs
Organization is
confusing or disjointed;
weak paragraph
structure; transitions are
missing or inappropriate
Clear organizational
structure; easily followed;
includes transitions;
structured format
Audience & Tone
Audience appropriate and
consistent tone
No awareness of
appropriate audience for
assignment; tone is
inappropriate
Lacks awareness of
appropriate audience for
the assignment; tone is
inconsistent
Effective and accurate
awareness of audience;
tone is appropriate for
audience and
assignment
Sentence Structure
Demonstrates varied
sentence structures to
enhance meaning
Contains multiple and
serious errors of
sentence structure: i.e.
fragments, run-ons;
unable to write simple
sentences
Formulaic sentence
patterns or overuse of
simple sentences; errors
in sentence structure
Effective and varied
sentences; errors (if
present) due to lack of
careful proofreading
Mechanics
The text has few
grammatical, spelling and
punctuation errors.
Frequent errors in
agreement, verb tense,
spelling, and
capitalization; intrusive
and/or inaccurate
punctuation;
Contains several errors
in agreement, verb
tense, spelling,
capitalization, and
punctuation (up to 6);
Virtually free of errors in
agreement, verb tense,
spelling, capitalization,
and punctuation (no
more than 3); errors do
Page 3 of 4
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
communication is
hindered
errors interfere with
meaning
not interfere with
meaning
Vocabulary & Word
Usage
Uses extended and
appropriate vocabulary
Vocabulary is
unsophisticated; or
subject specific
vocabulary or
sophisticated vocabulary
used incorrectly.
Proper, but simple
vocabulary used; subject
specific vocabulary used
infrequently
Vocabulary is varied,
specific and appropriate;
uses subject specific
vocabulary correctly
APA Format/Citations
Correctly uses APA style and
formatting
Reference page includes
frequent errors (more
than 3); no attempt was
made to cited
supporting sources in-
text; contains multiple
errors in APA format
Reference page in
accurate and virtually
free of errors (no more
than 3); all supporting
sources are cited in-text,
but minor errors in APA
format are present
Reference page in
accurate and free of
errors; all supporting
sources are properly
cited in-text; APA format
is correct and accurate
APA Format Guides
The instructor has provided links to resources that provide assistance on APA format issues. Be
sure to review these links and do not hesitate to ask for assistance if you are not sure about
something. Ask yourself the questions below before you submit a paper. This list by no means
addresses every possible mistake that could be made, but it will bring common mistakes to your
attention.
Is your paper double spaced?
Are necessary abbreviations explained?
Are references cited in-text present on your reference list? Remember that the website itself
is a source.
Did you include in-text citations for all the resources you used? Only references used to
support your writing should be on your reference list.
Numbers ten and below should be spelled out.
Are quotes referenced correctly in-text? Quotes should be used sparingly. There should be
no more than one quote in a three-page paper.
Are your sources presented properly on your reference list? Pay close attention to indention
rules and capitalization rules.
Is your title page presented according to APA format?
Is there a page break inserted for the reference page?
Did you include an appropriate running heading for your paper?
Page 4 of 4
Did you proof your paper and have another person proof your paper before submitting the
paper?
Writing assignments are taken quite seriously. Graduate students are
expected to write clearly and concisely, and the order of your thoughts should
be logical. Know that each paper is read with these things in mind. If your
writing is wordy or if you use awkward phrasing it will impact the format, style
and grammar portion of your grade.
**## CO547PopCulturePaperAssignment.pdf**
Page 1 of 4
Pop Culture Paper Assignment
Watch at least 2 episodes of any television situation comedy. After watching the
programs, identify any minority characters, and describe how any one of these minority
characters was portrayed. Detail if the portrayal was accurate or stereotypical and
whether the character’s minority status alone was used as a source of humor.
The paper should be no more than 4 pages long with additional cover and reference
pages.
The paper must be submitted in Microsoft Word; Times New Roman font; 12 pt.
font size; margins 1” on all sides; double-spaced. The assignment should be written
on a graduate level and references used should be cited within the discussion and
documented in a reference list using APA styling.
Post your paper, as a single document, to the grade book.
Send your instructor an email when you are ready for your assignment to be graded.
CACREP Standards Addressed: 2F.2.a and 2F.2.d
Scoring Guidelines
Points available: 100.
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
Introduction
Establishes historical
background and defensible
thesis that supports a logical
line of reasoning (CACREP
2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Underdeveloped
introduction; reason for
culture selection is
unclear or missing;
historical background is
inaccurate or missing
Coherent introduction
that includes a reason
for culture selection;
historical background is
accurate but limited
Engaging, well
developed introduction
that includes a detailed
reason for culture
selection; historical
background is accurate
and thorough
Focus & Purpose
Developed thesis and
attentive focus on topic
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Missing thesis; confusion
about or
misunderstanding of
topic; no sense of
purpose
Simplistic and unfocused
ideas; limited sense of
purpose
Developed thesis;
represents sound
understanding of the
assigned topic; focused
Ideas, Support &
Development
Supports ideas and
reflections using specific
and relevant examples of
No or limited
evidence/experiences
are provided to support
ideas and reflections;
evidence is incomplete,
incorrect, oversimplified,
Provides necessary
evidence/experiences to
support ideas and
reflections; the
importance/relevance of
all pieces of
Relies on compelling and
detailed
evidence/experiences to
support ideas and
reflections; the
importance/relevance of
Page 2 of 4
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
evidence/experiences
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
or disconnected from the
context
evidence/experiences is
unclear or under
developed but does
support the ideas and
reflections presented
and is placed properly
within the context
all pieces of
evidence/experiences is
clearly stated; considers
alternate interpretations
of evidence/experiences
to enhance
demonstration of cultural
intelligence
Conclusion
Establishes clear conclusion
based upon
evidence/experiences
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Missing or no connection
of evidence and analysis
to the reflections; fails to
summarize the argument
coherently
Limited connection
between evidence and
analysis to reflections;
summarizes some ideas
and thoughts but repeats
ideas to support
reflections
Engaging, strongly
connects evidence and
analysis to reflections;
summarizes the main
topics without repeating
previous ideas
Structure &
Organization
Text has unity and
coherence to accomplish the
focused purpose
No paragraph structure;
or single, rambling
paragraph; or series of
isolated paragraphs
Organization is
confusing or disjointed;
weak paragraph
structure; transitions are
missing or inappropriate
Clear organizational
structure; easily followed;
includes transitions;
structured format
Audience & Tone
Audience appropriate and
consistent tone
No awareness of
appropriate audience for
assignment; tone is
inappropriate
Lacks awareness of
appropriate audience for
the assignment; tone is
inconsistent
Effective and accurate
awareness of audience;
tone is appropriate for
audience and
assignment
Sentence Structure
Demonstrates varied
sentence structures to
enhance meaning
Contains multiple and
serious errors of
sentence structure: i.e.
fragments, run-ons;
unable to write simple
sentences
Formulaic sentence
patterns or overuse of
simple sentences; errors
in sentence structure
Effective and varied
sentences; errors (if
present) due to lack of
careful proofreading
Mechanics
The text has few
grammatical, spelling and
punctuation errors.
Frequent errors in
agreement, verb tense,
spelling, and
capitalization; intrusive
and/or inaccurate
punctuation;
Contains several errors
in agreement, verb
tense, spelling,
capitalization, and
punctuation (up to 6);
Virtually free of errors in
agreement, verb tense,
spelling, capitalization,
and punctuation (no
more than 3); errors do
Page 3 of 4
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
communication is
hindered
errors interfere with
meaning
not interfere with
meaning
Vocabulary & Word
Usage
Uses extended and
appropriate vocabulary
Vocabulary is
unsophisticated; or
subject specific
vocabulary or
sophisticated vocabulary
used incorrectly.
Proper, but simple
vocabulary used; subject
specific vocabulary used
infrequently
Vocabulary is varied,
specific and appropriate;
uses subject specific
vocabulary correctly
APA Format/Citations
Correctly uses APA style and
formatting
Reference page includes
frequent errors (more
than 3); no attempt was
made to cited
supporting sources in-
text; contains multiple
errors in APA format
Reference page in
accurate and virtually
free of errors (no more
than 3); all supporting
sources are cited in-text,
but minor errors in APA
format are present
Reference page in
accurate and free of
errors; all supporting
sources are properly
cited in-text; APA format
is correct and accurate
APA Format Guides
The instructor has provided links to resources that provide assistance on APA format issues. Be
sure to review these links and do not hesitate to ask for assistance if you are not sure about
something. Ask yourself the questions below before you submit a paper. This list by no means
addresses every possible mistake that could be made, but it will bring common mistakes to your
attention.
Is your paper double spaced?
Are necessary abbreviations explained?
Are references cited in-text present on your reference list? Remember that the website itself
is a source.
Did you include in-text citations for all the resources you used? Only references used to
support your writing should be on your reference list.
Numbers ten and below should be spelled out.
Are quotes referenced correctly in-text? Quotes should be used sparingly. There should be
no more than one quote in a three-page paper.
Are your sources presented properly on your reference list? Pay close attention to indention
rules and capitalization rules.
Is your title page presented according to APA format?
Is there a page break inserted for the reference page?
Did you include an appropriate running heading for your paper?
Page 4 of 4
Did you proof your paper and have another person proof your paper before submitting the
paper?
Writing assignments are taken quite seriously. Graduate students are
expected to write clearly and concisely, and the order of your thoughts should
be logical. Know that each paper is read with these things in mind. If your
writing is wordy or if you use awkward phrasing it will impact the format, style
and grammar portion of your grade.
**## AmyrreahEaton_PopCulture_Assignment.pdf**
Minority Representation in Black-ish
Amyrreah Eaton
Course Name
Instructor Name
May 20, 2026
Minority Representation in Black-ish
Television has a huge impact on how people view different cultures and communities. For years,
many sitcoms either ignored minority groups completely or portrayed them in a stereotypical
way. Some characters were only included to be “the funny one” or to fit certain assumptions
society already had. However, newer shows have started creating more realistic portrayals of
minority families and their everyday experiences. One show that does this well is Black-ish. The
show follows an upper-middle-class African American family and balances humor with real
conversations about race, identity, and culture. One character that stands out the most is Andre
Johnson, also known as Dre. While the show is meant to be funny, Dre’s character often reflects
real concerns and experiences many African Americans face in society today.
Dre is shown as a successful Black man who cares deeply about his family and his culture.
Throughout the show, he constantly worries that his children are growing up disconnected from
their roots because they live a more privileged lifestyle than he did growing up. A lot of the
humor comes from Dre trying too hard to make sure his kids understand Black culture and
history. Even though some of his reactions are exaggerated for comedy, the message behind
them feels real. Many parents want their children to stay connected to where they come from,
especially when they grow up in environments where they may feel pressure to fit in with
everyone else.
One episode that really stood out to me was “Hope.” In this episode, the family discusses police
brutality after hearing about a police shooting on the news. Dre struggles with deciding how
much he should explain to his children while also wanting to protect them emotionally. The
episode was emotional, but it still included moments of humor that felt natural instead of forced.
What made this episode important was how realistic it felt. These are conversations many Black
families have had in real life. The show did not avoid the topic just because it is uncomfortable.
Instead, it used comedy carefully while still taking the issue seriously.
Another episode I watched was “The Nod.” This episode focused on a small but meaningful part
of Black culture where Black people acknowledge each other with a nod in public. Dre becomes
upset when another Black man does not return the nod, which turns into a funny situation
throughout the episode. At first, it seems like a silly topic, but it actually reflects deeper ideas
about connection, belonging, and shared experiences within the Black community. I liked that
the show was able to take something simple and make it both funny and meaningful at the same
time.
I think Black-ish does a good job balancing accurate representation with comedy. Of course,
there are moments where stereotypes are exaggerated for entertainment. Dre can be dramatic at
times, and the family’s lifestyle may not represent every African American family. However, I
do not think the show uses those stereotypes in a harmful way. Instead, it often challenges
stereotypes by showing African American characters as educated, successful, loving, and
emotionally complex. The family faces normal problems just like anyone else while also dealing
with issues connected to race and identity.
The characters’ minority status is definitely part of the humor in the show, but I think there is a
difference between laughing at a culture and laughing with it. Most of the jokes in Black-ish are
connected to real cultural experiences, misunderstandings, generational differences, or social
situations. The humor helps make serious topics easier to discuss without taking away from their
importance. In my opinion, that is one reason why the show became so popular. It entertains
people while also encouraging them to think about issues they may not normally talk about.
Watching Black-ish also made me realize how important representation is in television. Growing
up, a lot of shows either lacked diversity or only showed minorities in negative ways. This show
feels different because the characters are shown as complete people instead of stereotypes. They
are successful, flawed, funny, emotional, and relatable. Even though the family is wealthy, the
show still highlights challenges many African Americans experience in schools, workplaces, and
society overall.
From a counseling perspective, I also think the show highlights how culture and lived
experiences affect families and mental health. Dre’s fears about race, identity, and belonging
clearly affect the way he parents his children and communicates with his family. The show
demonstrates how important it is to understand someone’s background and experiences before
making assumptions about them. As future counselors or helping professionals, it is important to
recognize how cultural identity can shape a person’s emotions, relationships, and worldview.
Another thing I noticed while watching Black-ish was how often the characters had to balance
being themselves while also fitting into professional or social environments that were mostly
White. Dre especially struggled with code-switching, which is when someone changes the way
they speak or act depending on who they are around. The show used humor to talk about this, but
it also highlighted a real pressure many minorities experience every day. In several episodes, Dre
wanted his children to succeed in life while also staying proud of who they are culturally. I think
this added depth to the show because it showed that cultural identity is not always simple.
Sometimes people feel pressure to act differently in order to be accepted, and that can affect
confidence, relationships, and mental health. This is something counselors and helping
professionals should understand because cultural stress and identity struggles can have a major
impact on individuals and families.
Overall, Black-ish provides a strong representation of African American culture while still being
entertaining and funny. Andre Johnson is portrayed as more than just a stereotype, which allows
viewers to connect with him on a deeper level. Although some situations are exaggerated for
humor, the show still addresses important social issues in an honest and relatable way. I think
Black-ish is a great example of how sitcoms can use comedy not only to entertain people, but
also to educate and start meaningful conversations.
References
Barris, K. (Creator). (2014–2022). Black-ish [TV series]. ABC.
Smith, J. A. (2020). Humor, race, and identity in American sitcom television. Cultural
Communication Review, 8(2), 91–104.
– Minority Representation in Black-ish
– References
**## CO547PopCulturePaperAssignment.pdf**
Page 1 of 4
Pop Culture Paper Assignment
Watch at least 2 episodes of any television situation comedy. After watching the
programs, identify any minority characters, and describe how any one of these minority
characters was portrayed. Detail if the portrayal was accurate or stereotypical and
whether the character’s minority status alone was used as a source of humor.
The paper should be no more than 4 pages long with additional cover and reference
pages.
The paper must be submitted in Microsoft Word; Times New Roman font; 12 pt.
font size; margins 1” on all sides; double-spaced. The assignment should be written
on a graduate level and references used should be cited within the discussion and
documented in a reference list using APA styling.
Post your paper, as a single document, to the grade book.
Send your instructor an email when you are ready for your assignment to be graded.
CACREP Standards Addressed: 2F.2.a and 2F.2.d
Scoring Guidelines
Points available: 100.
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
Introduction
Establishes historical
background and defensible
thesis that supports a logical
line of reasoning (CACREP
2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Underdeveloped
introduction; reason for
culture selection is
unclear or missing;
historical background is
inaccurate or missing
Coherent introduction
that includes a reason
for culture selection;
historical background is
accurate but limited
Engaging, well
developed introduction
that includes a detailed
reason for culture
selection; historical
background is accurate
and thorough
Focus & Purpose
Developed thesis and
attentive focus on topic
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Missing thesis; confusion
about or
misunderstanding of
topic; no sense of
purpose
Simplistic and unfocused
ideas; limited sense of
purpose
Developed thesis;
represents sound
understanding of the
assigned topic; focused
Ideas, Support &
Development
Supports ideas and
reflections using specific
and relevant examples of
No or limited
evidence/experiences
are provided to support
ideas and reflections;
evidence is incomplete,
incorrect, oversimplified,
Provides necessary
evidence/experiences to
support ideas and
reflections; the
importance/relevance of
all pieces of
Relies on compelling and
detailed
evidence/experiences to
support ideas and
reflections; the
importance/relevance of
Page 2 of 4
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
evidence/experiences
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
or disconnected from the
context
evidence/experiences is
unclear or under
developed but does
support the ideas and
reflections presented
and is placed properly
within the context
all pieces of
evidence/experiences is
clearly stated; considers
alternate interpretations
of evidence/experiences
to enhance
demonstration of cultural
intelligence
Conclusion
Establishes clear conclusion
based upon
evidence/experiences
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Missing or no connection
of evidence and analysis
to the reflections; fails to
summarize the argument
coherently
Limited connection
between evidence and
analysis to reflections;
summarizes some ideas
and thoughts but repeats
ideas to support
reflections
Engaging, strongly
connects evidence and
analysis to reflections;
summarizes the main
topics without repeating
previous ideas
Structure &
Organization
Text has unity and
coherence to accomplish the
focused purpose
No paragraph structure;
or single, rambling
paragraph; or series of
isolated paragraphs
Organization is
confusing or disjointed;
weak paragraph
structure; transitions are
missing or inappropriate
Clear organizational
structure; easily followed;
includes transitions;
structured format
Audience & Tone
Audience appropriate and
consistent tone
No awareness of
appropriate audience for
assignment; tone is
inappropriate
Lacks awareness of
appropriate audience for
the assignment; tone is
inconsistent
Effective and accurate
awareness of audience;
tone is appropriate for
audience and
assignment
Sentence Structure
Demonstrates varied
sentence structures to
enhance meaning
Contains multiple and
serious errors of
sentence structure: i.e.
fragments, run-ons;
unable to write simple
sentences
Formulaic sentence
patterns or overuse of
simple sentences; errors
in sentence structure
Effective and varied
sentences; errors (if
present) due to lack of
careful proofreading
Mechanics
The text has few
grammatical, spelling and
punctuation errors.
Frequent errors in
agreement, verb tense,
spelling, and
capitalization; intrusive
and/or inaccurate
punctuation;
Contains several errors
in agreement, verb
tense, spelling,
capitalization, and
punctuation (up to 6);
Virtually free of errors in
agreement, verb tense,
spelling, capitalization,
and punctuation (no
more than 3); errors do
Page 3 of 4
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
communication is
hindered
errors interfere with
meaning
not interfere with
meaning
Vocabulary & Word
Usage
Uses extended and
appropriate vocabulary
Vocabulary is
unsophisticated; or
subject specific
vocabulary or
sophisticated vocabulary
used incorrectly.
Proper, but simple
vocabulary used; subject
specific vocabulary used
infrequently
Vocabulary is varied,
specific and appropriate;
uses subject specific
vocabulary correctly
APA Format/Citations
Correctly uses APA style and
formatting
Reference page includes
frequent errors (more
than 3); no attempt was
made to cited
supporting sources in-
text; contains multiple
errors in APA format
Reference page in
accurate and virtually
free of errors (no more
than 3); all supporting
sources are cited in-text,
but minor errors in APA
format are present
Reference page in
accurate and free of
errors; all supporting
sources are properly
cited in-text; APA format
is correct and accurate
APA Format Guides
The instructor has provided links to resources that provide assistance on APA format issues. Be
sure to review these links and do not hesitate to ask for assistance if you are not sure about
something. Ask yourself the questions below before you submit a paper. This list by no means
addresses every possible mistake that could be made, but it will bring common mistakes to your
attention.
Is your paper double spaced?
Are necessary abbreviations explained?
Are references cited in-text present on your reference list? Remember that the website itself
is a source.
Did you include in-text citations for all the resources you used? Only references used to
support your writing should be on your reference list.
Numbers ten and below should be spelled out.
Are quotes referenced correctly in-text? Quotes should be used sparingly. There should be
no more than one quote in a three-page paper.
Are your sources presented properly on your reference list? Pay close attention to indention
rules and capitalization rules.
Is your title page presented according to APA format?
Is there a page break inserted for the reference page?
Did you include an appropriate running heading for your paper?
Page 4 of 4
Did you proof your paper and have another person proof your paper before submitting the
paper?
Writing assignments are taken quite seriously. Graduate students are
expected to write clearly and concisely, and the order of your thoughts should
be logical. Know that each paper is read with these things in mind. If your
writing is wordy or if you use awkward phrasing it will impact the format, style
and grammar portion of your grade.
**## AmyrreahEaton_PopCulture_Assignment.pdf**
Minority Representation in Black-ish
Amyrreah Eaton
Course Name
Instructor Name
May 20, 2026
Minority Representation in Black-ish
Television has a huge impact on how people view different cultures and communities. For years,
many sitcoms either ignored minority groups completely or portrayed them in a stereotypical
way. Some characters were only included to be “the funny one” or to fit certain assumptions
society already had. However, newer shows have started creating more realistic portrayals of
minority families and their everyday experiences. One show that does this well is Black-ish. The
show follows an upper-middle-class African American family and balances humor with real
conversations about race, identity, and culture. One character that stands out the most is Andre
Johnson, also known as Dre. While the show is meant to be funny, Dre’s character often reflects
real concerns and experiences many African Americans face in society today.
Dre is shown as a successful Black man who cares deeply about his family and his culture.
Throughout the show, he constantly worries that his children are growing up disconnected from
their roots because they live a more privileged lifestyle than he did growing up. A lot of the
humor comes from Dre trying too hard to make sure his kids understand Black culture and
history. Even though some of his reactions are exaggerated for comedy, the message behind
them feels real. Many parents want their children to stay connected to where they come from,
especially when they grow up in environments where they may feel pressure to fit in with
everyone else.
One episode that really stood out to me was “Hope.” In this episode, the family discusses police
brutality after hearing about a police shooting on the news. Dre struggles with deciding how
much he should explain to his children while also wanting to protect them emotionally. The
episode was emotional, but it still included moments of humor that felt natural instead of forced.
What made this episode important was how realistic it felt. These are conversations many Black
families have had in real life. The show did not avoid the topic just because it is uncomfortable.
Instead, it used comedy carefully while still taking the issue seriously.
Another episode I watched was “The Nod.” This episode focused on a small but meaningful part
of Black culture where Black people acknowledge each other with a nod in public. Dre becomes
upset when another Black man does not return the nod, which turns into a funny situation
throughout the episode. At first, it seems like a silly topic, but it actually reflects deeper ideas
about connection, belonging, and shared experiences within the Black community. I liked that
the show was able to take something simple and make it both funny and meaningful at the same
time.
I think Black-ish does a good job balancing accurate representation with comedy. Of course,
there are moments where stereotypes are exaggerated for entertainment. Dre can be dramatic at
times, and the family’s lifestyle may not represent every African American family. However, I
do not think the show uses those stereotypes in a harmful way. Instead, it often challenges
stereotypes by showing African American characters as educated, successful, loving, and
emotionally complex. The family faces normal problems just like anyone else while also dealing
with issues connected to race and identity.
The characters’ minority status is definitely part of the humor in the show, but I think there is a
difference between laughing at a culture and laughing with it. Most of the jokes in Black-ish are
connected to real cultural experiences, misunderstandings, generational differences, or social
situations. The humor helps make serious topics easier to discuss without taking away from their
importance. In my opinion, that is one reason why the show became so popular. It entertains
people while also encouraging them to think about issues they may not normally talk about.
Watching Black-ish also made me realize how important representation is in television. Growing
up, a lot of shows either lacked diversity or only showed minorities in negative ways. This show
feels different because the characters are shown as complete people instead of stereotypes. They
are successful, flawed, funny, emotional, and relatable. Even though the family is wealthy, the
show still highlights challenges many African Americans experience in schools, workplaces, and
society overall.
From a counseling perspective, I also think the show highlights how culture and lived
experiences affect families and mental health. Dre’s fears about race, identity, and belonging
clearly affect the way he parents his children and communicates with his family. The show
demonstrates how important it is to understand someone’s background and experiences before
making assumptions about them. As future counselors or helping professionals, it is important to
recognize how cultural identity can shape a person’s emotions, relationships, and worldview.
Another thing I noticed while watching Black-ish was how often the characters had to balance
being themselves while also fitting into professional or social environments that were mostly
White. Dre especially struggled with code-switching, which is when someone changes the way
they speak or act depending on who they are around. The show used humor to talk about this, but
it also highlighted a real pressure many minorities experience every day. In several episodes, Dre
wanted his children to succeed in life while also staying proud of who they are culturally. I think
this added depth to the show because it showed that cultural identity is not always simple.
Sometimes people feel pressure to act differently in order to be accepted, and that can affect
confidence, relationships, and mental health. This is something counselors and helping
professionals should understand because cultural stress and identity struggles can have a major
impact on individuals and families.
Overall, Black-ish provides a strong representation of African American culture while still being
entertaining and funny. Andre Johnson is portrayed as more than just a stereotype, which allows
viewers to connect with him on a deeper level. Although some situations are exaggerated for
humor, the show still addresses important social issues in an honest and relatable way. I think
Black-ish is a great example of how sitcoms can use comedy not only to entertain people, but
also to educate and start meaningful conversations.
References
Barris, K. (Creator). (2014–2022). Black-ish [TV series]. ABC.
Smith, J. A. (2020). Humor, race, and identity in American sitcom television. Cultural
Communication Review, 8(2), 91–104.
– Minority Representation in Black-ish
– References
**## CO547PopCulturePaperAssignment.pdf**
Page 1 of 4
Pop Culture Paper Assignment
Watch at least 2 episodes of any television situation comedy. After watching the
programs, identify any minority characters, and describe how any one of these minority
characters was portrayed. Detail if the portrayal was accurate or stereotypical and
whether the character’s minority status alone was used as a source of humor.
The paper should be no more than 4 pages long with additional cover and reference
pages.
The paper must be submitted in Microsoft Word; Times New Roman font; 12 pt.
font size; margins 1” on all sides; double-spaced. The assignment should be written
on a graduate level and references used should be cited within the discussion and
documented in a reference list using APA styling.
Post your paper, as a single document, to the grade book.
Send your instructor an email when you are ready for your assignment to be graded.
CACREP Standards Addressed: 2F.2.a and 2F.2.d
Scoring Guidelines
Points available: 100.
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
Introduction
Establishes historical
background and defensible
thesis that supports a logical
line of reasoning (CACREP
2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Underdeveloped
introduction; reason for
culture selection is
unclear or missing;
historical background is
inaccurate or missing
Coherent introduction
that includes a reason
for culture selection;
historical background is
accurate but limited
Engaging, well
developed introduction
that includes a detailed
reason for culture
selection; historical
background is accurate
and thorough
Focus & Purpose
Developed thesis and
attentive focus on topic
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Missing thesis; confusion
about or
misunderstanding of
topic; no sense of
purpose
Simplistic and unfocused
ideas; limited sense of
purpose
Developed thesis;
represents sound
understanding of the
assigned topic; focused
Ideas, Support &
Development
Supports ideas and
reflections using specific
and relevant examples of
No or limited
evidence/experiences
are provided to support
ideas and reflections;
evidence is incomplete,
incorrect, oversimplified,
Provides necessary
evidence/experiences to
support ideas and
reflections; the
importance/relevance of
all pieces of
Relies on compelling and
detailed
evidence/experiences to
support ideas and
reflections; the
importance/relevance of
Page 2 of 4
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
evidence/experiences
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
or disconnected from the
context
evidence/experiences is
unclear or under
developed but does
support the ideas and
reflections presented
and is placed properly
within the context
all pieces of
evidence/experiences is
clearly stated; considers
alternate interpretations
of evidence/experiences
to enhance
demonstration of cultural
intelligence
Conclusion
Establishes clear conclusion
based upon
evidence/experiences
(CACREP 2F.2.a, 2F.2.d)
Missing or no connection
of evidence and analysis
to the reflections; fails to
summarize the argument
coherently
Limited connection
between evidence and
analysis to reflections;
summarizes some ideas
and thoughts but repeats
ideas to support
reflections
Engaging, strongly
connects evidence and
analysis to reflections;
summarizes the main
topics without repeating
previous ideas
Structure &
Organization
Text has unity and
coherence to accomplish the
focused purpose
No paragraph structure;
or single, rambling
paragraph; or series of
isolated paragraphs
Organization is
confusing or disjointed;
weak paragraph
structure; transitions are
missing or inappropriate
Clear organizational
structure; easily followed;
includes transitions;
structured format
Audience & Tone
Audience appropriate and
consistent tone
No awareness of
appropriate audience for
assignment; tone is
inappropriate
Lacks awareness of
appropriate audience for
the assignment; tone is
inconsistent
Effective and accurate
awareness of audience;
tone is appropriate for
audience and
assignment
Sentence Structure
Demonstrates varied
sentence structures to
enhance meaning
Contains multiple and
serious errors of
sentence structure: i.e.
fragments, run-ons;
unable to write simple
sentences
Formulaic sentence
patterns or overuse of
simple sentences; errors
in sentence structure
Effective and varied
sentences; errors (if
present) due to lack of
careful proofreading
Mechanics
The text has few
grammatical, spelling and
punctuation errors.
Frequent errors in
agreement, verb tense,
spelling, and
capitalization; intrusive
and/or inaccurate
punctuation;
Contains several errors
in agreement, verb
tense, spelling,
capitalization, and
punctuation (up to 6);
Virtually free of errors in
agreement, verb tense,
spelling, capitalization,
and punctuation (no
more than 3); errors do
Page 3 of 4
Components Unacceptable
(0 points)
Revisions Required
(5 points)
Target
(10 points)
communication is
hindered
errors interfere with
meaning
not interfere with
meaning
Vocabulary & Word
Usage
Uses extended and
appropriate vocabulary
Vocabulary is
unsophisticated; or
subject specific
vocabulary or
sophisticated vocabulary
used incorrectly.
Proper, but simple
vocabulary used; subject
specific vocabulary used
infrequently
Vocabulary is varied,
specific and appropriate;
uses subject specific
vocabulary correctly
APA Format/Citations
Correctly uses APA style and
formatting
Reference page includes
frequent errors (more
than 3); no attempt was
made to cited
supporting sources in-
text; contains multiple
errors in APA format
Reference page in
accurate and virtually
free of errors (no more
than 3); all supporting
sources are cited in-text,
but minor errors in APA
format are present
Reference page in
accurate and free of
errors; all supporting
sources are properly
cited in-text; APA format
is correct and accurate
APA Format Guides
The instructor has provided links to resources that provide assistance on APA format issues. Be
sure to review these links and do not hesitate to ask for assistance if you are not sure about
something. Ask yourself the questions below before you submit a paper. This list by no means
addresses every possible mistake that could be made, but it will bring common mistakes to your
attention.
Is your paper double spaced?
Are necessary abbreviations explained?
Are references cited in-text present on your reference list? Remember that the website itself
is a source.
Did you include in-text citations for all the resources you used? Only references used to
support your writing should be on your reference list.
Numbers ten and below should be spelled out.
Are quotes referenced correctly in-text? Quotes should be used sparingly. There should be
no more than one quote in a three-page paper.
Are your sources presented properly on your reference list? Pay close attention to indention
rules and capitalization rules.
Is your title page presented according to APA format?
Is there a page break inserted for the reference page?
Did you include an appropriate running heading for your paper?
Page 4 of 4
Did you proof your paper and have another person proof your paper before submitting the
paper?
Writing assignments are taken quite seriously. Graduate students are
expected to write clearly and concisely, and the order of your thoughts should
be logical. Know that each paper is read with these things in mind. If your
writing is wordy or if you use awkward phrasing it will impact the format, style
and grammar portion of your grade.