Yahoo Lifestyle "Did I Do That?": Jaleel White Is Facing A Ton Of Backlash For His Comments About Black People And Their Opinions On "Family Matters"
Family Matters star Jaleel White shared why he believes the show ranks low for Black people when they're discussing their favorite shows, and it has a lot of people upset.
Jaleel starred as a quirky and clumsy nerd named Steve Urkel, as well as a smooth-talking alter-ego character named Stefan Urquelle on the hit family sitcom from 1989–1998.
It followed the Winslows, a middle-class Black family living in Chicago, which included the father/husband Carl, a Chi-town police officer, the mom/wife Harriette, an elevator operator, and their two children Laura and Eddie, as well as a few other close family members.
Jaleel's Urkel character was supposed to appear in only one episode, but he immediately won fans over and was turned into a main cast member.
Last month, while promoting his new memoir Growing Up Urkel, the actor held a talk at the Wilmington Public Library in Delaware where he opened up about what it was like playing the iconic role, the impact it had in society, and how he believes the show is perceived in the Black community.
"Being a part of the TGIF brand, sometimes makes you feel like you don't completely belong in the pantheon of Blackness," Jaleel said. "You know, Blackness has been treated as a very monolithic experience in entertainment."
"If it's not a hood story, it's not a Black story, and sometimes I feel left out of that. If there's ever a poll and they say, 'What are your favorite Black shows"...[if] Martin is in there or Living Single, or any of those kinds [of shows], I already know we're (Family Matters) coming in last."
In comparison, he added that if there was a general ranking for family shows, and Martin wasn't included, then "all of a sudden," Family Matters would then rank really high. Jaleel said that was an interesting reflection of how Black people view themselves.
The "hood" comment struck a nerve with a lot of people online, with some even referencing how Jaleel played a gang member on the show named OGD (Original Gangsta Dawg)...
...and how multiple storylines on Family Matters included gang activity.
A clip of this discussion has since gone viral on X (formerly known as Twitter), and people had a lot of thoughts about it, from backlash to praise of the series:
Family Matters' impact as a sitcom won't go away, even if the material didn't age well to some. But as long as Jaleel White continues to sound like an ass, he's not doing the show's legacy any favors
— Aye Yo B (@BeSmoove7) December 10, 2024
It’s evident that Jaleel White has a chip on his shoulder because he believes he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. These interviews are further distancing himself from the community he wants to be seen by, but I digress!
— ᴅᴏʟʟᴀʀ (@DollarBeKnowing) December 10, 2024
Family Matters ranks last ‘cause it’s an inferior black story in quality compared to Martin, The Wayans Bros., A Different World, The Jamie Foxx Show, Moesha, The Parkers, Smart Guy, Sister Sister, The Steve Harvey Show, My & Kids, One on One, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, etc.
— I have so many questions? (@english_shamar) December 9, 2024
Not sure what Jaleel White is talking about. Shows like Bernie Mac, Everybody Hates Chris, Martin, Wayans Bros., and My Wife and Kids to name a few were staples that didn't revolve around 'hood stories.' They proved Black stories come in all forms and resonated deeply
— Karen ‘KC’ Civil (@KarenCivil) December 9, 2024
Jaleel White wants us to praise family matters as if horrible acting like this doesnt exist. They are literally playing Batman's theme song in the background. pic.twitter.com/xE77cxnzSs
— Glen Cocoa (@MoeshaMitchel) December 10, 2024
ABC / Twitter: @MoeshaMitchel
As a fan of both Jaleel & the show, he’s wrong. Family Matters, at its core, was just cheesy & became almost unwatchable by its 7th season & would’ve been canceled by S2 had it not been for him. Other shows were more captivating, but he created a character that’s been loved for…
— Kari (@SneakerPhetish) December 9, 2024
Jaleel White said Family Matters isn’t revered in Black Sitcom history because it’s not a “hood” story. He sounds exactly like losers on here do when they’re crying about women dating thugs. Dweeb behavior
— 285 Exit 9 (@285Slim) December 9, 2024
Show went from “Middle Class black family trying to raise their kids right , with comedic beats along the way ” to “ next door nerd gets into bizarre hijinks” Not hard to see why people didn’t like it after awhile.
— Uncle J.R. 🇩🇲🇵🇸 (@HarlemGetsMoney) December 9, 2024
FAMILY MATTERS is left out of the conversation because unless it was a “special episode” dealing with racism, there was NOTHING Black about the show. As a filmmaker, #StudentOfCinema and Communications Professor 👨🏽🏫 I often have to point out that THE COSBY SHOW was Black AF with… pic.twitter.com/tvnt4rokZy
— Original Danksta (@DankwaBrooks) December 9, 2024
ABC / Twitter: @DankwaBrooks
Living Single does not have ""hood story lines"" they are literally all black professionals who live in a Brownstone in NY, Kadejah owns her on magazine and Max is a fucking attorney, what do Jaleel White even be talking about
— MAY18TH (@jiggyjayy2) December 9, 2024
Family matters just doesn't have any rewatch value..the rest of the shows aged well, but family matters didn't..
— freddie stevenson (@strugglemade105) December 9, 2024
You can check out the full clip below:
Jaleel White on feeling left out in the legacy of Black entertainment, saying, “If it’s not a hood story, it’s not a Black story,” and speaks on Family Matters always ranking last on polls for favorite Black shows, underneath Martin and Living Single.(🎥Wilmington… pic.twitter.com/Bz72OtmjRw
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) December 9, 2024
How do you feel about what Jaleel said? Let me know in the comments!
