During the worst years of apartheid, the most popular show on television in South Africa among both Black and White South Africans was "The Cosby Show." Why did people living under a system built on the idea that Black people were inferior and threatening flock to a show that portrayed African Americans as comfortably mainstream? "Starring Mandela and Cosby" takes up this paradox, revealing the surprising impact of television on racial politics.
The South African government maintained a ban on television until 1976, and according to Ron Krabill, they were right to be wary of its...

During the worst years of apartheid, the most popular show on television in South Africa among both Black and White South Africans was "The Cosby Show." Why did people living under a system built on the idea that Black people were inferior and threatening flock to a show that portrayed African Americans as comfortably mainstream? "Starring Mandela and Cosby" takes up this paradox, revealing the surprising impact of television on racial politics.
The South African government maintained a ban on television until 1976, and according to Ron Krabill, they were right to be wary of its...