The 1970s and 1980s saw a surge in black cinema, with films like "Shaft" (1971), "Super Fly" (1972), and "Cooley High" (1975) tackling mature themes such as crime, social inequality, and coming-of-age struggles. These films not only showcased black talent but also provided a platform for commentary on the black experience.

An anthology series that brought "everyday" Indigenous stories to prime-time television, focusing on domestic complexity rather than political tropes.

Black Popular Culture and Social Justice: Beyond the Culture

A critical component of mature Black entertainment is the shift in who is behind the lens. The "Black gaze" focuses on the internal lives of characters rather than how they are perceived by others. In popular media, this manifests as a focus on aesthetic beauty (cinematography that understands how to light Black skin) and authentic dialogue.