The Cultural Debate The increasing visibility of African
Americans in television has produced a mixed blessing. On the
one hand, it has created well-received entertainment and has
proven the marketability of black productions. Increased use of
black performers has also enhanced the careers of a growing
number of black actors and actresses. Many new minority talents
have emerged, among them Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Lisa Bonet on
The Cosby Show, Jaleel White of Family Matters, "Downtown" Julie
Brown of Club MTV, Fab 5 Freddy on Yo! MTV Raps, Sinbad and
Jasmine Guy on A Different World, and Robin Givens of Head of
the Class. Meanwhile, show business veterans such as
octogenarian Jester Hairston, who plays Rolly Forbes on Amen!,
and Helen Martin, who appears as Pearl Shay on 227, have
achieved great popularity after years of relative obscurity. For
a nation in which more than 20 percent of the population is non-
white, the rise in black presence on TV suggests that the
industry may be catching up with social reali