1. When they flat-out discussed being "black-ish" (i.e. not black enough).
Like the Johnsons, we as black parents wonder if our kids are too assimilated and/or if by 'moving on up' we've lost some of what made us, us.
2. When they kept it real about our nation's sordid history.
The ugly truths about slavery are often sugar-coated in school, which is something we definitely don’t do at home.
3. While flawlessly tackling the topic of the "N word" head on.
And still managing to add some levity to the matter.
4. How they approached the topic of interracial dating without being discriminatory.
"HIS name is Andre too!" Showing commonalities and not focusing on racial differences makes the experience less jarring.
5. When they discussed the importance of "code switching" and how it's affected their own lives.
The phrase, "You're so well spoken" is both a blessing and a curse. The Johnsons talking about how they use one set of language and voice for the office and one at home is lifting a veil into the black world.
6. When they showed Dre getting pulled over for DWB (driving while black) and highlighted a very real issue for black men and black people in general.
Also, the fact that the stop didn't play out the way Dre was anticipating was pivotal in pointing out that things/people are not always what they seem.
7. And stressed how the company you keep can reflect back on you.
Black parents know their kids have a hard road ahead of them and that who they appear with is just as important as who they appear to be.
8. When they showed how Bow and Dre were able to come to an agreement on having a gun in the house.
They managed to address a common parental concern while breaking the stereotype about black people and gun violence.
9. When they ventured into the world of black women, natural hair and the feelings that come along with choosing to go that route.
By showing a family of women with different hair textures who all take pride in all wearing it "natural" which hasn't really been seen on primetime TV before.
10. And when they broke down the importance of celebrating "black holidays."
As per Dre: "MLK day is NOT just another day we are off from work!"
The show also noted the fact that 'Bo is even a doctor is due, in part, to Dr. King.
11. When Bow was just trying to introduce new foods to her family and kept getting rebuffed.
It's rare to depict a black mother on TV who works full time and makes the effort to make healthy meals for her family.
12. When they used Pop's heart trouble to bring up the topic of black men's health.
The incident confronted a long history of mistrust older generations have with the medical community and the need to know your family's medical history.
13. When Junior's desire to fit in with his peers led to a discussion about cultural traditions.
The compromise was a "Hip-Hop Bro-mitzvah" that gave his son a party on par with that of his peers while not appropriating another culture's tradition.
14. How despite their suburban surroundings they instill a sense of black pride in their kids.
Seeing a self-assured character like Zoey, the eldest of the Johnson clan, reinforces the positive self-esteem we're trying to instill in young black girls.
15. When Junior announced his desire to break from tradition and expressed interest in the Republican party.
Dre and Bow were open minded enough to encourage their son's interest in politics, but still let him know how they felt about the matter.
16. When they went to extreme efforts to make the kids understand some of their struggles growing up, and how they're able to live the life they do.
Making their kids work for their creature comforts further dispels myths that black people don't teach their kids about finances.
17. When they reinforced the notion that black families (and communities) need to have each other's back no matter their personal differences.
When Bow makes a gaffe and Dre doesn't step in to save her, the whole family is forced to take into consideration how their actions reflect on each other.