Recession Hits HBCUs

In the latter part of the 1980s there existed a television sitcom called “The Cosby Show”. The show was another successful brainchild of Bill Cosby and was on air for eight years. The plot of the show was to portray the lifestyle of a middle-class, African American family in the United States. The father, played by Bill Cosby, was an Obstetrician and his wife, played by Phyllica Rashad, was a lawyer. The couple had five children, four girls and a boy. Throughout the years the family dealt with run of the mill problems such as siblings fighting with each other, children dealing with school issues, and the many ways a family could mature (including college, marriage, and grandchildren).

What I most enjoyed about the show were the ever present family values. The husband and wife were very loving towards each other. In most episodes you could see the couple kissing or embracing but never in a “save it for behind closed doors” kind of way. Instead, they were affectionate in ways that exuded how much they cared for each other. On a side note, the chemistry which Cosby and Rashad had led to another Cosby show years later and again the pair were married. The couple also had great respect for each other and valued the other’s opinion. In the many episodes that I can recall, I can’t remember either spouse trying to embarrass the other in front of family or friends. If they had any disagreement they talked out their differences like adults. Once the issue was resolved apologizes were traded. Nor can I remember the husband or wife considering or acting upon some type of extra-marital affair. Both characters were committed to upholding the wedding vows which they had taken years prior. Lastly, the couple was committed to the upbringing of their children. Each child was given the same love, attention, and encouragement to be their best. If one child had a problem it became the problem of the family and of course, it was resolved. From what I could see the children had been molded into decent people meaning they had common sense, direction, ambition, self respect, personality, and strong family value. Many African Americans saw the Huxtable family as the epitome of the well off “Black Family”. Instead of keeping up with the Jones’, some Black families were trying to keep up with the Huxtables.

At twenty-two years old I think it is important to begin working towards my American Dream. As an adult I think it is important to plan for the future instead of living day by day. So I routinely envision my ten year plan and have several goals which I have set for myself.

1. Within three years I hope to begin my first step towards an enjoyable career. I’ve completed a Bachelor of Science and currently I’m working on a Masters. Hopefully I will have the edge to gain a position which I desire, not one which I had to settle.


2. If my career has taken off as I would hope, then I would look forward to gaining financial stability and independence. I think there is nothing greater than to be able to afford what you need and occasionally what you want. Even more important is to not have to depend on others when you need a helping hand. To have my own “just in case” fund is imperative.


3. Financial stability allows for greater opportunities and I wouldn’t want anything more than to own a home. I don’t need anything outlandish. I just want a decent home in a decent community where I can lay my head and store my possessions.


4. Marriage and children. I think the pinnacle of my American dream would be to have a loving relationship where both my partner and I are committed, loving, and respectable towards each other. Our likeminded ideas and goals would help us in how we plan to live out our future and raise our children. Like the Huxtables, I want to raise honest and ambitious children who become productive citizens.

I feel all of these goals are attainable with patience and endurance. I think patience is a small sacrifice for the happiness I feel these assets will bring. The desire to have these assets will steady my endurance to not only attain these goals but to have the drive to reach further and gain something even greater. As determined as I am to reach my goals…of course there will exist someone who will remind me that The Cosby Show was a fictional television show. Okay, I can accept that.

So, let’s fast forward to 2009. The African American community lacks a realistic television adaptation of a “middle-class, Black Family”. However at this one moment it doesn’t matter. Instead of a television adaptation of a “Black Family” there exists the Obama family. Until the last couple of years no one really knew who the Obamas were. Now that country has been introduced to President Obama and his family, all eyes will be on the family’s every move. In my opinion we have been blessed that the family can be compared to the Huxtables.

President Obama and First lady Michelle Obama are a well educated, well mannered, personable, loving, and handsome couple (what more could you ask for?). They have two adorable daughters who are very well behaved and becoming a part of the upper crust of society. Not only did (former Senator) Obama set the goal of running for the U.S. presidency but he successfully moved the country into electing him as our new leader. Talk about ambition and drive. My modern day power couple is the president and his wife and because of them I am even more convinced that I should be living within or higher than the goals I have set.