While ABC’s Black-ish steadily provides laughs, an upcoming episode is tackling a more serious topic.
Variety reports that the sitcom, starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis-Ross, will address police brutality in an episode set to air on Feb. 24.
New ‘Black-ish’ Promo Featuring Kendrick Lamar Is the Video You Didn’t Know You Needed Today
The episode, entitled “Hope,” focuses on a family discussion revolving around a fictional incident between a Black teen and police. Anderson and Ross’s characters, plus their four children, have various reactions to the broadcasted encounter.
Kenya Barris, show creator and executive producer, said the episode was inspired by his own personal desire to talk to his children about police brutality.
President Obama on Police Brutality: ‘The African-American Community is Not Making This Up’
“How do you talk about your frustrations and your angers, but at the same time not take away your kids’ hope and ability to still want to grow and thrive within a world that they have to live in,” Barris said.
Barris added that his children saw how visibly angry people were with news headlines and thought approaching the subject matter in the show would be a beneficial outlet.
It’s a decision Anderson applauds.
“I commend Kenya for writing this episode and giving a voice to this problem and to bring some attention to it, outside the attention that it’s getting in the media and social media,” the actor said.
Black-ish airs Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. on ABC.