Friend - 

My partner and I spent a couple weekends ago binge watching on Netflix with our kids. And yes, before you shame us for keeping the TV on for much of the weekend, remember that some parents just enjoy sharing their interests with their kids and vice versa. Before we had kids, my partner and I loved picking new movies and tv shows to watch together.

And that’s what happened one weekend with our kiddos. Except now, instead of us (Mom and Dad) picking the show, we let our kids pick. Our oldest has been known to find some pretty amazing series and movies on Netflix from time to time. And this time was no different. She picked My Dad the Bounty Hunter. 

If you haven’t come across it, or maybe you don’t have Netflix, the show centers around a Black family and a big secret; the dad is an intergalactic bounty hunter. Because of his job, he’s barely around to witness his kids growing up, causing varying degrees of tension between each member of the family. On the weekend he has the kids, he is suddenly called back to work. The kids decide to join their dad on his next job by stowing away, unaware of his real occupation. In the course of 10 episodes, the kids and the dad are able to repair their relationship, save an entire world of sentient beings from slavery, and find out an even bigger secret at the end. 

It was such a good pick. And after watching it with them, it led me to ask my partner the question, “Did we have TV shows like this growing up?” 

Netflix tags shows like My Dad the Bounty Hunter as part of their Representation Matters Collection. And it’s not just Netflix ensuring there is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in their company and productions. Lots of companies are making DEI promises. 

And yes, I know that this is just a bare minimum. But here’s a thought though. 

If kids today are being exposed to more representation, more look cultural awareness, and more multifaceted stories through TV and movies, imagine what they will come to believe is ‘normal’ and ‘standard’. From having stories of Black families to stopping slavery to taking down big corrupt corporations. And yes, My Dad the Bounty Hunter is just a television show, but it is so much more than that when you take into consideration the topics it tackles. 

Think about that the next time you pick a TV show or movie to watch with the kids. 

A progressive mom’s musings,

Edil Mari De Los Reyes

PowerPAC is a social justice organization that strategically directs financial and human resources to local and state organizations working to deliver wins in legislative fights, ballot initiatives, and more. For years the money we've raised has, dollar for dollar, been given back to the communities we work with. We've made sure that your investments were being used to build power for our communities because too often we are underrepresented and ignored. 

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