Valentine's Day Poem: Real-Life Huxtables
My Ode to Black Families
Even when school kids told me it was extinct
The kind Cliff and Claire Huxtable showed
On "The Cosby Show," Thursday nights on NBC
"Black folks don't act like that" is what the kids said
That comment left me puzzled
Because I was always walking in
On my parents, on the couch, giggling, cuddled
Claire was a lawyer. Cliff was a doctor.
Raising their children in a middle-class place
The Huxtables' economic perks and connection
No different than my grandparents on my visits Saturdays
The Black art on the Huxtables' walls
Was different, beautiful, the colors of which I was fond
Sibling rivalry and whining to Mom and Dad
Were reminiscent of me and my brother's bond
"Your momma stays with your daddy?"
I'd get asked when both showed up to piano recitals
When Dad showed up more than Mom
For PTA meetings, folks probably thought he was idle
Even though both my parents were professionals
Credit union manager and banker with two cars
The family wasn't exactly rich
But my upbringing was up to par
Black folks sitting down to dinner with the TV off
Was common in my elementary school years
I'd listen to talk of my parents' high school days
Look at their yearbook outfits and laugh 'til I showed tears
So when Barack Obama won for presidency
And had Michelle, Malia, and Sasha in his crew
I saw another example of real-life Huxtables
Another united Black family, to the school kids, I say "I told you!"
So to all those Black families
Who knock stereotypes from home to the White House
I say Happy Valentine's Day to you all
And continue to cherish your spouse
Published by Shamontiel
Shamontiel is the author of "Round Trip" and "Change for a Twenty," and in mid-October became the Chicago Tribune's Digital News Editor. She works on National Travel, Health and occasionally Breaking News, a... View profile
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- Like the Huxtables, I grew up in a middle-income home.
- Like the Huxtables, I was surrounded by my parents; my sibling; and nearby grandparents.
- Obama's family has the same set-up as the Huxtables and my own family.
8 Comments
Post a CommentLovely!
I know very few couples of any color who were like the Huxtables. Of course, Bill was not Mr. Perfect Husband off screen. I do think the Obama's are a bit like the show characters.
I'm reading a book called "It's All Love" with short stories about Black writers on soul mates, family, and friends, and this poem came to mind again. There's an introduction that talks about a "Washington Post" article where a 12-year-old, sixth grade boy from DC said "Marriage is for White people" The insane part is I used to hear this when I was younger and would stare blankly at folks because I knew I had plenty of married Black people around me growing up. This was one of the reasons I felt like the "Cosby Show" was so important in the Black community. However, people brushed it off as make believe. Well hell, they can't very well call the Obamas make believe.
My little sister once told our parents during her teen years, "I wish you'd get divorced, so I could be like my friends!" She thought our family was weird because our parents were together - What a sad statement on the subliminal messaging received - even to many in any loving American family of dad+mom+kids ... Thankfully, she grew to love + appreciate the family union & is herself now married 10 yrs working hard to maintain healthy relationships all around :-)
Beautiful poem. I'm also sick of the "black" stereotype portrayed by the media etc. Hate to be corny, but there truly is only one race, the "human" race.
Very good example of real love keeping people together. And I ditto Momie's remark.
I'm getting ready to call them now to let them know their faces are on the Internet. My mother won't mind. My father will probably think the crazies are out to get him now. LOL. But anyway, thanks Momie Tullottes. I just got tired of people being baffled by my parents being married and living with my brother and a dog and a cat, as if that could NEVER happen. The "Cosby Show" was a show I could truly relate to. I feel like the Obamas may make it "cool" to get married again, especially when every photo of them I see is them kissing, hugging, or cuddling. The latest issues of "Ebony" magazine and "Essence" magazine are what inspired this poem.
Beautiful sentiments. The stereotype about black families not being united always has bothered me as well. You provided excellent examples and I bet your parents are proud. :-)