There are very few shows out there about college. Sure, there are movies like School Daze, Drumline, and Extremely Goofy movie, but there was one show that changed my perspective on college. It was called A Different World, and it was marvelous. All throughout the summer nights of my Freshman year in college I binge watched the masterpiece of a show. I don’t normally watch sitcoms, but I’m so glad I stumbled upon this one.
It was a dark stormy night, well, it wasn’t stormy but it was night and I was bored scrolling through the suggestions with nothing really popping until a colorful batch of clothes went past my screen. With my curiosity piqued I clicked on the title and was immediately sucked in. The premise of the story is that Denise Huxtable goes to an HBCU and she is engrossed in the college life that exists there. It is interesting how the stories are set up from episode to episode. Instead of focusing on one person, the show jumped from one character to another, which made the setting more alive than I thought possible.
It had a culture that was unparalleled to anything I’ve ever seen depicted on the screen before. The style was late eighties early nineties, but bold. I remember Dwayne Wayne always wearing biker jackets in the first seasons, and his flip sunglasses. I was sold, I had to mimic the style that was presented to me, so I decided to scour Amazon and find the perfect gear for next year. This show showed me the value of style, and I decided from that point on I was not going to dress average again.
Simplified morals are essential in life. Sometimes we have to go back to the basics to realize everything is going to be okay. A Different World did that for me. It taught me lessons I thought I didn’t need, but I ended up using them in college life anyway. There is a lot of relationship talk in the show, which delves deep down into what it’s like to be a couple. It was the guide to being in a relationship that I needed. Even though it’s a show the themes can be applied to real life.
Last year, I applied the things I learned to my college life and it turned out all the more colorful. It was as if I had the confidence to try new things and express myself through clothing. Those few months in the summer were all I needed to get prepared for my sophomore year. I also grew an even deeper appreciation for black culture. I had built up so much pride for my HBCU and I wore it with pride.
Whoever is bored out there and needs something to watch, watch a different world. It has great characters, a deep story and the most beautiful setting. It’s one of those shows that shine light on black excellence and our ever changing culture. A Different World will keep you woke and awoke.
