Jaleel White Joins Debate About ‘Family Matters’ Ranking In Best Black Shows [Video]

Actor Jaleel White is out promoting his book entitled Growing Up Urkel, but he’s getting some backlash.

White spoke with the Wilmington Library for his new book and talked about Family Matters getting left out of the conversation when people discuss the best Black television shows of all time.

“Being a part of the ‘TGIF’ brand sometimes makes you feel like you don’t belong in the pantheon of blackness,” he said. “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 you know, sometimes I feel left out of that.”

White admits that several other Black shows like Living Single and Martin are often ranked higher, but he knows they’ve got it locked when it comes to shows purely about family.

“If there’s ever a poll, and they say what are your favorite Black shows? Martin is in there, Living Single… I already know we’re …