A Different World: Mammy Dearest Part 1

First Aired: 12/5/1991

Dwayne seeks a friendship with Whitley, but she doesn't feel like hearing him out. She throws herself into organizing her dorm's official dedication ceremony. Kim and others object when she includes images of "mammies" (black nursemaids in the past, particularly during times of slavery) with the art exhibit. Whitley, Freddie and Mr. Gaines insist that it is important to remember these women's role in history. Kim wants no part of the display and announces that she will not participate in the ceremony. She tearfully confides in Mr. Gaines about a traumatic incident from her childhood. Whitley recommends that Lena learn more about her heritage by reading slave journals and other information at the Gilbert Library. Lena's research uncovers the fact that Whitley's family owned slaves. Whitley is shocked and overcome with guilt. Mr. Gaines advises her to let it go, as she cannot change the past. Kim, Freddie, Lena and Gina organize a performance art piece about the evolution of the African American woman.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• different
• world
• 90s
• tv
• sitcom
• show

[ckcallands]

"she's black, she's fat, she's nappy' WOW gotta love Mr.Gaines

[sanggurl16]

I don't understand why she thought she looked like that. Kim is beautiful and shouldn't think that just because she is darker, that she's not as beautiful as Whitley. Beauty is a wide variety. My daughter is very dark and I tell her that she is the most beautiful little girl everyday. I want her to know that she is just as beautiful as the light skinned little girl.

[sanggurl16]

@aatre05 I'm not. i'm not trying to be rude but if somebody gonna accuse me of doing this light vs. dark thing then I'm gonna back up what I said especially if it was taken out of context. Its not about dark vs. light. This isn't a competition its life

[aatre05]

@sanggurl16 Why are you getting all hype?...

[sanggurl16]

@aatre05 Well it wasn't!

[aatre05]

@sanggurl16 To me thats seems like what you are talking about...

[sanggurl16]

@aatre05 This is what I said: "I don't understand why she thought she looked like that. Kim is beautiful and shouldn't think that just because she is darker, that she's not as beautiful as Whitley." Whitley wanted to enter the mammy's into the show and Kim did not because she thought she looked like the mammy's. I know what I said and I stand behind what I said! I said nothing about dark v. light!

[TheSlickAndroid]

@aatre05 its okay, man you didn't know. all that matters is this is a great episode to a great series.

[aatre05]

@sanggurl16 You said something about Whitley...I know who you were talking and I know exactly what you are saying because I see that everyday but I'm saying I don't think this show showcased dark skin vs light...

[aatre05]

@TheSlickAndroid I seen after I posted that last one..usually I look for that or I see it right away and delete my comment but I didn't...

[TheSlickAndroid]

@aatre05 I'm sorry. its just people keep on sending me the same message. it makes me regret leaving the original comment in the first place.

[sanggurl16]

@aatre05 I was talking about Kim not Whitley