The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996): Season 1, Episode 17 - The Ethnic Tip - full transcript
Will proposes a black history class be instituted at Bel-Air Academy, and gets a surprise when Aunt Viv arrives to teach it.
Hey, Kellogg,
how was your weekend?
Complete disaster, Carlton.
I took this girl to see
New Kids on the Block, right
and all night she's saying
to me, "Donnie's so cute
Donnie's so sweet,
Donnie's so hunky."
I mean, what does Donnie
have that I don't have?
My guess is you don't have
the right stuff.
- Oh, oh, oh.
- Oh, oh, oh.
[bell ringing]
Alright, men.
It's history time.
Smith, you're late.
Uh, sorry about that,
coach, but, uh..
I just thought I'd run a few
laps before class, you know?
Whoo.
Help out the old
basketball team.
Good idea, Smith. Good way to
stay ahead of the competition.
Might not be a bad idea for all
you men who are on the team
to start the day
with a few laps.
We run enough laps at basketball
practice, Coach Smiley.
Okay, Hunt,
we're not in the gym.
Therefore,
you are to refer to me
by my official
teaching name
ProfessorSmiley.
And for that slip
of the tongue, 20 laps.
Alright, men.
Now before we start the next
chapter in our history books
I'm going to give back
the pop quiz from Friday.
And I want you all
to take these home
and bring them back
signed by your parents.
Well, I think I aced this one.
How about you, Will?
I think I did just fine.
♪ Now this is a story ♪
♪ All about how my life
got flipped ♪
♪ Turned upside-down ♪
♪ And I'd like to take a minute
just sit right there ♪
♪ I'll tell you
how I became the prince ♪
♪ Of a town called Bel-Air ♪
♪ In West Philadelphia,
born and raised ♪
♪ On the playground is where
I spent most of my days ♪
♪ Chillin' out maxin'
relaxing all cool ♪
♪ And all shootin' some b-ball
outside of the school ♪
♪ When a couple of guys
who were up to no good ♪
♪ Started makin' trouble
in my neighborhood ♪
♪ I got in one little fight
and my mom got scared ♪
♪ And said you're moving
with your auntie ♪
♪ And uncle in Bel-Air ♪
♪ I whistled for a cab
and when it came near ♪
♪ The license plate said fresh
and it had dice in the mirror ♪
♪ If anything I can say
that this cab was rare ♪
♪ But I thought
nah forget it ♪
♪ Yo homes to Bel-Air ♪
♪ I pulled up to a house
about seven or eight ♪
♪ And I yelled
to the cabbie ♪
♪ Yo homes smell you later ♪
♪ I looked at my kingdom
I was finally there ♪
♪ To sit on my throne
as the prince of Bel-Air ♪
And the way that you
write your "A"
shows that you're intelligent
and playful.
Wow! You can tell all that
from just my signature?
- Yep.
- That's amazing.
Do me, do me!
Sign right there
under Ashley.
Okay. So what
do you see about me?
Well, the bold vertical strokes
show that you're impulsive.
The large capital letters
show that you're committed.
And the little smiley face
you use to dot your "I"
shows that you got way too much
time on your hands.
That's all true.
Who does it say
I'm going to marry?
"Handsome movie star,
who will only be happy
if you spend obscene
amounts of money."
You're good.
- Hello, everybody.
- Hi, honey.
Daddy, Will knows how
to analyze people's handwriting.
Yes.
He's quite good, sir.
One look at my signature and
he deduced that I was valiant
ingenious and have
the strength of 10.
Hey, let me do yours,
Uncle Phil.
No, Will, I don't believe
in that nonsense.
I'd hardly call it nonsense.
Please, Daddy, it's fun.
Oh, God. Alright, alright.
Where do I sign?
Oh, no, no, Uncle Phil. You
deserve a fresh piece of paper.
- How about you, Aunt Viv?
- Sure. Why not?
Oh, Will, this is always
such a sad moment.
What is?
Getting you and mom to sign his
"Hall of Shame" History
exam.
History exam?
Sorry, Will.
Mom, dad, if it's
any consolation
I got an "A" on the test
and I must say
I found it very easy.
Carlton, Ashley,
we'd like to talk to Will alone.
Will, what is going
on here?
You do so well in
English and Math.
How could you do
so poorly in History?
It's not my fault, Aunt Viv.
That class is boring.
Don't give us that, Will.
No, what I meant was, they don't
teach the whole story.
I mean, we don't learn
nothing about
the Black people
in American history.
If they taught that,
then maybe I'd be
more interested
and work harder.
You know, that's not
a bad idea.
- It's not?
- It's not?
(Carlton)
It's not?
Carlton, stop eavesdropping!
(Carlton)
'Sorry, mom.'
Now look, this does not
excuse your bad grade
but I think you've made a
good
point about the curriculum.
So we all agree here?
None of this is any
of my fault?
This has been
a very productive meeting.
Stay put.
Now you brought up
a valid point here
but if you want to
learn Black history
what are you gonna do about it?
Mmm-mm.
Don't just complain, baby,
take action!
Write a statement about
why you think more Black history
should be added
to the curriculum.
And present it at next week's
parent-teachers' meeting.
I'll go with you.
- You will?
- You will?
(Carlton)
'You will?'
The administration will take
under consideration the petition
suggesting that we change
the school motto to
"Bel-Air Academy: Love it
or go to Public School."
Any other new business?
Headmaster Armstrong,
I have some.
Ah, Mr. Smith.
Well, this should
certainly be fly.
I think the students at this
school are being cheated
out of a valuable learning
experience.
I'm talking about
Coach Smiley's History class.
That's Professor Smiley, Smith.
That will be 10 laps.
What's your concern,
Mr. Smith?
Well, we learn about
George Washington
and Thomas Jefferson
and all them other dudes
that wound up on our money
but what about Martin Luther
King
and Crispus Attucks
and all the other Black people
that made a difference
in this country?
It's sorta like when there
wasn't no pictures
of any brothers on the wall.
You know Spike Lee's movie,
"Do the Right Thing?"
I'm sorry.
The last movie I saw was
"Dead Poets Society."
With the right headmaster that
would have been
a completely different story.
Anyway, Coach Smiley, would you
care to respond to Mr. Smith?
Alright.
I'd like to make three points.
First, in my course,
we are trying to condense 200
and oh, some odd years
of history
into nine months of lessons.
Obviously, we have to
concentrate
on some historical figures
and exclude others.
That's true.
Second, our school
has a fine library,
or so I've been told
where any student
who wants to can study
more about Black history.
Another good point.
Third:
For years I have taught my
course from this
well-respected textbook
and quite frankly,
I don't know a lick more
than what's in this book.
So forget it.
- But I think it's important.
- And it is.
Unfortunately, the school
rulebook clearly states
that any requests pertaining to
curriculum changes be
accompanied by--
A petition signed
by a 150 student signatures.
Article 4, Section 9.
Where'd you get ahold
of that book?
I mean it certainly will
take some time
to revise the curriculum.
Well, what about
having somebody come in
to replace Coach Smiley for
a month or so
to teach some Black history?
A month off? Armstrong, I think
the kid's got something here.
Now be that as it may,
I'm sure it will be some while
before we can find a teacher.
So, unless there's any other new
business, this meeting is--
Uh, I hate to say this,
Mr. Armstrong
but it sounds to me
like you're stalling.
Not at all, Mrs. Banks
We just wanna make sure
that the person we get
is properly qualified.
For example,
a college professor with a Ph.D
who's taught
Black History and Literature
at the university level?
Where are we gonna find
someone like that?
You're looking at her.
See you in a month.
Alright, Carl, now that we're
studying something I know
I'm gonna be the star
of this class.
No, you're not.
I am.
What, are you tripping?
How do you figure that?
Because the teacher's
my mommy.
Good morning, class.
Mom, I'd like to welcome you,
and say on behalf
of the entire class how happy
we are to have you here.
What did you call me, Mr. Banks?
What I always call you,
"Mom."
My name is not Mom.
My name is Professor Banks.
That is how I prefer to be
addressed. It that clear, class?
Yes, Professor Banks.
Black American history,
gentlemen
from Africa, to slavery,
to the present.
Now we've all heard of
Frederick Douglass
Martin Luther King
and Booker T. Washington.
But Black history includes
a lot of people
whose names and faces
aren't remembered today.
Now how many of you have heard
the spirituals
sung by the slaves?
I have.
Now listen to this..
♪ Follow the drinking gourd ♪
♪ Follow the drinking gourd ♪
♪ Follow the drinking gourd ♪
♪ For the old man's
waitin' for ♪
♪ To carry me to freedom ♪
- Hey, that was pretty cool.
- Yeah.
Now what do you suppose
the purpose of that song was?
Let me handle this one.
For those of you
unfamiliar with the spirituals
allow me to explain.
The slaves used to sing them
to keep their spirits up
and their minds on God
in the face of all the
oppression that they suffered.
That was very well put,
Mr. Smith, but you're wrong.
I beg your pardon?
That song was written to be used
as a secret code of
the Underground Railroad.
Secret code?
What do you mean?
Well, first of all,
can anyone tell me
what the
Underground Railroad was?
Now, this one I know.
The Underground Railroad
was a group of people
that led the slaves
to freedom.
And when was it established?
During slavery.
Well, that covers about
250 years, Mr. Smith.
Uh, care to narrow it
down a bit?
What do you mean,
right now?
Sit down, Mr. Smith.
It was established
during the 1840s.
Harriet Tubman, an ex-slave,
was one of the leaders.
These gospel songs were actually
secret messages sent
to tell the runaway slaves
how to get to freedom.
For example,
"The Drinking Gourd"
referred to the Big Dipper.
When the slaves sang
Follow the Drinking Gourd
that signaled to
the runaway slaves
to run towards
the Big Dipper.
Along the route, they would meet
with the abolitionist
and escape to freedom.
Well, that's what I meant.
Could you teach us
one of the songs, professor?
Here's one called
Wade in the Water.
Now this song told runaway
slaves
that the best escape route
was along the river.
Now, late at night,
these songs could be heard
coming from the slave cabins
along the route
guiding the runaways
to freedom.
♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ Wade in the water children ♪
♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ God's gonna trouble
the water ♪
Everybody, join in now.
♪ Wade in the water ♪
Come on, now.
♪ Wade in the water children ♪
♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ God's gonna
trouble the water ♪
♪ Er-er-er er-er ♪
♪ I said wade ♪
♪ I didn't say swim ♪
♪ I didn't say
backstroke ♪
♪ I said wade ♪
♪ in the water ♪♪
Now, alright.
Not bad, guys.
Okay, next week's assignment
will be a report
on the Port Royal Experiment
and the Penn School
written by Mr. Smith.
Who, me?
This course was your idea,
Mr. Smith.
I think it only fitting
that you be given the honor
of the first assignment.
Congratulations, Will.
What an honor.
Mr. Smith will write
the first half of the report
the second half
will be written by Mr. Banks.
Who, me?
I expect it to be
at least 15 pages typed
double-spaced, with footnotes
and the bibliography.
This course was
a brilliant idea, Will.
She's your mom!
I can't believe mom picked us
to do that special assignment.
Word. Man, Coach Smiley
never would have did that.
He used to say,
"Extra work for you
means extra work for me."
Excuse me.
Dibs on the tall one.
Excuse me, miss.
Maybe you can help me out here.
I've seem to have lost
all the feeling in my lips.
I'm Carlton Banks.
That's right, the Carlton Banks.
Y'all want to slide out of here,
get a little something to eat?
- Sure.
- Okay.
Will, Carlton,
I've been looking for you.
I think class went pretty
well
today, don't you?
Yeah.
Well, got to go.
Just a second.
I've got something for you.
Now this book will help you
with your research paper.
'It's about the Penn School.'
'Now Charlotte Forten
was one of its first'
'Black teachers and she--'
Will!
- Are you listening to me?
- Of course.
You were talking about
the Penn School.
What did I say about
the Penn School?
It's right around the corner
from the Pencil School?
Aha.
Well, thanks, mom.
Oh, Carlton, how many times
do I have to tell you
baby, tuck in your shirt!
Look at you.
Honestly, Will
Those eyebrows!
Now, hurry up.
We're going to the library.
The tall one really liked me.
Geoffrey, I'm going on my first
job interview at an art gallery
and I need some advice.
You've been on a lot of job
interviews, haven't you?
Why, yes, Miss Hilary.
I've worked my entire life.
Really? Why?
Because I've always been partial
to food and shelter.
Okay. Anyway, I've been trying
to prepare for this interview
but every time I think about it,
I get really-really nervous.
I mean, like, what do they ask
you at these things?
Ms. Hillary, it's nothing
to be nervous about.
Just a few simple questions.
For example,
what is your name?
- Hilary S. Banks.
- Education?
Two years of college.
And what are your qualifications
to work in an art gallery?
Well, I'm like..
An art gallery, to me, is like..
Well, you know,
it's like, okay.
Okay, when I walk into an art
gallery, it's like..
Okay, if I had
to choose, alright
Well, you know,
it's like, I mean..
Leave me alone!
You're hired.
Yo, yo, G.
- Is Aunt Viv here?
- Yes, she's in the kitchen.
- Shall I..
- No!
She can't know we're here.
She hasn't let us
watch TV in a week.
I'm starting to get
withdrawal symptoms, man.
My body needs a certain amount
of microwaves.
Hi, guys. How's that history
class coming?
- Fine.
- Yeah. Decent, I guess.
How are you doing
with your term papers and your
reading assignments
and your economic graphs
of the cotton industry?
Dad, if you don't mind,
we'd rather not talk
about History class.
Okay, suit yourself.
♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ Wade in the water children ♪
♪ Wade in the water.. ♪
Uncle Phil, please.
If memory serves, this Black
history class was your idea.
Yeah, but I didn't know
Aunt Viv was gonna teach it.
She's driving us crazy.
Last night, I had a dream
that I went to the prom
with Harriet Tubman.
Will, I saw this coming.
You thought you're gonna
get a free ride
in that History class
didn't you?
- No, I didn't.
- I sure did.
Well, I don't have any sympathy
for either one of you.
Just because she's doing a good
at teaching the class
and making you do
some hard work.
- You can't take it.
- Look, that's not it.
Uncle Phil, for her own good,
you have to warn her
if she keeps being so tough,
the whole class is gonna revolt.
I can see it in the kids' faces.
They're on the edge.
♪ Hush hush ♪
♪ Somebody's calling my name ♪
♪ My Jesus ♪
♪ Hush hush ♪
♪ Oh Lordie ♪
♪ Somebody's calling my name ♪
♪ Hallelujah ♪
♪ Hush ♪
-Umoja.
-What?
Umoja.It's Swahili for
"Unity." Dope, huh?
I got the whole Berlitz course
on cassette
for my oral report today.
Hey, Lieberbaum
Did you take my Jet magazine?
No, I've got my own
subscription.
Good morning, class.
Well, who would like to make
the first oral presentation?
Jonathan, you did
your presentation yesterday.
But I've done a whole new
presentation, just for fun.
Professor Banks, before we make
our presentations
we have something to say to you.
A bunch of us were at
Chadney's house the other night
making our extra-credit dioramas
and we started talking and
we agreed it was a shame
that you're going to leave
at the end of the month.
Oh, yeah, terrible.
- That's wack. Wack situation.
- That's a shame.
So, anyway, we came up with
this.
It's a petition for you
to become
our permanent history teacher.
Shoot me.
Guys..
I'm overwhelmed.
This is very flattering.
According to the
school rulebook
we need a 150 signatures.
And so far we've collected 148.
We thought it'd be fun if the
two signatures
to put it over the top
were Will and Carlton.
Guys, do the honors.
After you, Will.
No, you go ahead first.
I insist.
She's your mom.
This class was your idea.
Okay, okay, listen, guys.
I'm very touched
that you want me to stay
but I don't think
the university would approve.
- But I don't see--
- Let's get back to work.
Mr. Fletcher, would you care
to give your report, please?
- Hi there, Aunt Viv.
- What are you doing?
Just grading papers.
The class coming over later?
Yeah. Maybe you can tell us
more about Harriet Tubman.
Yeah, I never get
enough of her.
I think you did get enough.
You thought one month was
enough.
Mom, I'm sorry if I wasn't
as enthusiastic
as the rest of the guys.
You're a great teacher.
It's just..
I hope you don't take this
the wrong way
but you made our lives a living
nightmare.
Now how did I do that?
But Aunt Viv, you read me
in front of the whole class.
You gave us all that extra work
and made us do all those
reports.
I didn't hear any complaints
from the rest of the class.
That's because you were harder
on the two us.
I'm sorry you felt
I was being hard on you
but I thought the two
Black students
would actually want to get
the most out of the course.
I guess we didn't think
about it that way.
- Mom.
- Yes.
This whole ugly episode
it's not going to affect my
grade, will it?
I'm a very tough grader,
Carlton.
And you're very
beautiful, mommy.
Will, there's one thing
I've been wondering.
What's that?
Why did you want
a course in Black history
in the first place?
- 'Cause I'm interested in it.
- Are you really?
Of course.
You didn't seem happy about all
the work I was giving you.
Weren't you the one who said
if you were really
interested in something,
you would study hard?
Aunt Viv, I read The
Autobiography of Malcolm X
three times.
And that makes you a serious
student on Black history?
That's a very important book.
Will, baby,
you can read that book
you can wear the T-shirts, you
can put up the posters
and you can shout the
slogans
but unless you know
all the history behind it
you're trivializing
the entire struggle.
Now you started something
very good here
but it's up to you, baby,
to follow through on it.
[theme music]
how was your weekend?
Complete disaster, Carlton.
I took this girl to see
New Kids on the Block, right
and all night she's saying
to me, "Donnie's so cute
Donnie's so sweet,
Donnie's so hunky."
I mean, what does Donnie
have that I don't have?
My guess is you don't have
the right stuff.
- Oh, oh, oh.
- Oh, oh, oh.
[bell ringing]
Alright, men.
It's history time.
Smith, you're late.
Uh, sorry about that,
coach, but, uh..
I just thought I'd run a few
laps before class, you know?
Whoo.
Help out the old
basketball team.
Good idea, Smith. Good way to
stay ahead of the competition.
Might not be a bad idea for all
you men who are on the team
to start the day
with a few laps.
We run enough laps at basketball
practice, Coach Smiley.
Okay, Hunt,
we're not in the gym.
Therefore,
you are to refer to me
by my official
teaching name
ProfessorSmiley.
And for that slip
of the tongue, 20 laps.
Alright, men.
Now before we start the next
chapter in our history books
I'm going to give back
the pop quiz from Friday.
And I want you all
to take these home
and bring them back
signed by your parents.
Well, I think I aced this one.
How about you, Will?
I think I did just fine.
♪ Now this is a story ♪
♪ All about how my life
got flipped ♪
♪ Turned upside-down ♪
♪ And I'd like to take a minute
just sit right there ♪
♪ I'll tell you
how I became the prince ♪
♪ Of a town called Bel-Air ♪
♪ In West Philadelphia,
born and raised ♪
♪ On the playground is where
I spent most of my days ♪
♪ Chillin' out maxin'
relaxing all cool ♪
♪ And all shootin' some b-ball
outside of the school ♪
♪ When a couple of guys
who were up to no good ♪
♪ Started makin' trouble
in my neighborhood ♪
♪ I got in one little fight
and my mom got scared ♪
♪ And said you're moving
with your auntie ♪
♪ And uncle in Bel-Air ♪
♪ I whistled for a cab
and when it came near ♪
♪ The license plate said fresh
and it had dice in the mirror ♪
♪ If anything I can say
that this cab was rare ♪
♪ But I thought
nah forget it ♪
♪ Yo homes to Bel-Air ♪
♪ I pulled up to a house
about seven or eight ♪
♪ And I yelled
to the cabbie ♪
♪ Yo homes smell you later ♪
♪ I looked at my kingdom
I was finally there ♪
♪ To sit on my throne
as the prince of Bel-Air ♪
And the way that you
write your "A"
shows that you're intelligent
and playful.
Wow! You can tell all that
from just my signature?
- Yep.
- That's amazing.
Do me, do me!
Sign right there
under Ashley.
Okay. So what
do you see about me?
Well, the bold vertical strokes
show that you're impulsive.
The large capital letters
show that you're committed.
And the little smiley face
you use to dot your "I"
shows that you got way too much
time on your hands.
That's all true.
Who does it say
I'm going to marry?
"Handsome movie star,
who will only be happy
if you spend obscene
amounts of money."
You're good.
- Hello, everybody.
- Hi, honey.
Daddy, Will knows how
to analyze people's handwriting.
Yes.
He's quite good, sir.
One look at my signature and
he deduced that I was valiant
ingenious and have
the strength of 10.
Hey, let me do yours,
Uncle Phil.
No, Will, I don't believe
in that nonsense.
I'd hardly call it nonsense.
Please, Daddy, it's fun.
Oh, God. Alright, alright.
Where do I sign?
Oh, no, no, Uncle Phil. You
deserve a fresh piece of paper.
- How about you, Aunt Viv?
- Sure. Why not?
Oh, Will, this is always
such a sad moment.
What is?
Getting you and mom to sign his
"Hall of Shame" History
exam.
History exam?
Sorry, Will.
Mom, dad, if it's
any consolation
I got an "A" on the test
and I must say
I found it very easy.
Carlton, Ashley,
we'd like to talk to Will alone.
Will, what is going
on here?
You do so well in
English and Math.
How could you do
so poorly in History?
It's not my fault, Aunt Viv.
That class is boring.
Don't give us that, Will.
No, what I meant was, they don't
teach the whole story.
I mean, we don't learn
nothing about
the Black people
in American history.
If they taught that,
then maybe I'd be
more interested
and work harder.
You know, that's not
a bad idea.
- It's not?
- It's not?
(Carlton)
It's not?
Carlton, stop eavesdropping!
(Carlton)
'Sorry, mom.'
Now look, this does not
excuse your bad grade
but I think you've made a
good
point about the curriculum.
So we all agree here?
None of this is any
of my fault?
This has been
a very productive meeting.
Stay put.
Now you brought up
a valid point here
but if you want to
learn Black history
what are you gonna do about it?
Mmm-mm.
Don't just complain, baby,
take action!
Write a statement about
why you think more Black history
should be added
to the curriculum.
And present it at next week's
parent-teachers' meeting.
I'll go with you.
- You will?
- You will?
(Carlton)
'You will?'
The administration will take
under consideration the petition
suggesting that we change
the school motto to
"Bel-Air Academy: Love it
or go to Public School."
Any other new business?
Headmaster Armstrong,
I have some.
Ah, Mr. Smith.
Well, this should
certainly be fly.
I think the students at this
school are being cheated
out of a valuable learning
experience.
I'm talking about
Coach Smiley's History class.
That's Professor Smiley, Smith.
That will be 10 laps.
What's your concern,
Mr. Smith?
Well, we learn about
George Washington
and Thomas Jefferson
and all them other dudes
that wound up on our money
but what about Martin Luther
King
and Crispus Attucks
and all the other Black people
that made a difference
in this country?
It's sorta like when there
wasn't no pictures
of any brothers on the wall.
You know Spike Lee's movie,
"Do the Right Thing?"
I'm sorry.
The last movie I saw was
"Dead Poets Society."
With the right headmaster that
would have been
a completely different story.
Anyway, Coach Smiley, would you
care to respond to Mr. Smith?
Alright.
I'd like to make three points.
First, in my course,
we are trying to condense 200
and oh, some odd years
of history
into nine months of lessons.
Obviously, we have to
concentrate
on some historical figures
and exclude others.
That's true.
Second, our school
has a fine library,
or so I've been told
where any student
who wants to can study
more about Black history.
Another good point.
Third:
For years I have taught my
course from this
well-respected textbook
and quite frankly,
I don't know a lick more
than what's in this book.
So forget it.
- But I think it's important.
- And it is.
Unfortunately, the school
rulebook clearly states
that any requests pertaining to
curriculum changes be
accompanied by--
A petition signed
by a 150 student signatures.
Article 4, Section 9.
Where'd you get ahold
of that book?
I mean it certainly will
take some time
to revise the curriculum.
Well, what about
having somebody come in
to replace Coach Smiley for
a month or so
to teach some Black history?
A month off? Armstrong, I think
the kid's got something here.
Now be that as it may,
I'm sure it will be some while
before we can find a teacher.
So, unless there's any other new
business, this meeting is--
Uh, I hate to say this,
Mr. Armstrong
but it sounds to me
like you're stalling.
Not at all, Mrs. Banks
We just wanna make sure
that the person we get
is properly qualified.
For example,
a college professor with a Ph.D
who's taught
Black History and Literature
at the university level?
Where are we gonna find
someone like that?
You're looking at her.
See you in a month.
Alright, Carl, now that we're
studying something I know
I'm gonna be the star
of this class.
No, you're not.
I am.
What, are you tripping?
How do you figure that?
Because the teacher's
my mommy.
Good morning, class.
Mom, I'd like to welcome you,
and say on behalf
of the entire class how happy
we are to have you here.
What did you call me, Mr. Banks?
What I always call you,
"Mom."
My name is not Mom.
My name is Professor Banks.
That is how I prefer to be
addressed. It that clear, class?
Yes, Professor Banks.
Black American history,
gentlemen
from Africa, to slavery,
to the present.
Now we've all heard of
Frederick Douglass
Martin Luther King
and Booker T. Washington.
But Black history includes
a lot of people
whose names and faces
aren't remembered today.
Now how many of you have heard
the spirituals
sung by the slaves?
I have.
Now listen to this..
♪ Follow the drinking gourd ♪
♪ Follow the drinking gourd ♪
♪ Follow the drinking gourd ♪
♪ For the old man's
waitin' for ♪
♪ To carry me to freedom ♪
- Hey, that was pretty cool.
- Yeah.
Now what do you suppose
the purpose of that song was?
Let me handle this one.
For those of you
unfamiliar with the spirituals
allow me to explain.
The slaves used to sing them
to keep their spirits up
and their minds on God
in the face of all the
oppression that they suffered.
That was very well put,
Mr. Smith, but you're wrong.
I beg your pardon?
That song was written to be used
as a secret code of
the Underground Railroad.
Secret code?
What do you mean?
Well, first of all,
can anyone tell me
what the
Underground Railroad was?
Now, this one I know.
The Underground Railroad
was a group of people
that led the slaves
to freedom.
And when was it established?
During slavery.
Well, that covers about
250 years, Mr. Smith.
Uh, care to narrow it
down a bit?
What do you mean,
right now?
Sit down, Mr. Smith.
It was established
during the 1840s.
Harriet Tubman, an ex-slave,
was one of the leaders.
These gospel songs were actually
secret messages sent
to tell the runaway slaves
how to get to freedom.
For example,
"The Drinking Gourd"
referred to the Big Dipper.
When the slaves sang
Follow the Drinking Gourd
that signaled to
the runaway slaves
to run towards
the Big Dipper.
Along the route, they would meet
with the abolitionist
and escape to freedom.
Well, that's what I meant.
Could you teach us
one of the songs, professor?
Here's one called
Wade in the Water.
Now this song told runaway
slaves
that the best escape route
was along the river.
Now, late at night,
these songs could be heard
coming from the slave cabins
along the route
guiding the runaways
to freedom.
♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ Wade in the water children ♪
♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ God's gonna trouble
the water ♪
Everybody, join in now.
♪ Wade in the water ♪
Come on, now.
♪ Wade in the water children ♪
♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ God's gonna
trouble the water ♪
♪ Er-er-er er-er ♪
♪ I said wade ♪
♪ I didn't say swim ♪
♪ I didn't say
backstroke ♪
♪ I said wade ♪
♪ in the water ♪♪
Now, alright.
Not bad, guys.
Okay, next week's assignment
will be a report
on the Port Royal Experiment
and the Penn School
written by Mr. Smith.
Who, me?
This course was your idea,
Mr. Smith.
I think it only fitting
that you be given the honor
of the first assignment.
Congratulations, Will.
What an honor.
Mr. Smith will write
the first half of the report
the second half
will be written by Mr. Banks.
Who, me?
I expect it to be
at least 15 pages typed
double-spaced, with footnotes
and the bibliography.
This course was
a brilliant idea, Will.
She's your mom!
I can't believe mom picked us
to do that special assignment.
Word. Man, Coach Smiley
never would have did that.
He used to say,
"Extra work for you
means extra work for me."
Excuse me.
Dibs on the tall one.
Excuse me, miss.
Maybe you can help me out here.
I've seem to have lost
all the feeling in my lips.
I'm Carlton Banks.
That's right, the Carlton Banks.
Y'all want to slide out of here,
get a little something to eat?
- Sure.
- Okay.
Will, Carlton,
I've been looking for you.
I think class went pretty
well
today, don't you?
Yeah.
Well, got to go.
Just a second.
I've got something for you.
Now this book will help you
with your research paper.
'It's about the Penn School.'
'Now Charlotte Forten
was one of its first'
'Black teachers and she--'
Will!
- Are you listening to me?
- Of course.
You were talking about
the Penn School.
What did I say about
the Penn School?
It's right around the corner
from the Pencil School?
Aha.
Well, thanks, mom.
Oh, Carlton, how many times
do I have to tell you
baby, tuck in your shirt!
Look at you.
Honestly, Will
Those eyebrows!
Now, hurry up.
We're going to the library.
The tall one really liked me.
Geoffrey, I'm going on my first
job interview at an art gallery
and I need some advice.
You've been on a lot of job
interviews, haven't you?
Why, yes, Miss Hilary.
I've worked my entire life.
Really? Why?
Because I've always been partial
to food and shelter.
Okay. Anyway, I've been trying
to prepare for this interview
but every time I think about it,
I get really-really nervous.
I mean, like, what do they ask
you at these things?
Ms. Hillary, it's nothing
to be nervous about.
Just a few simple questions.
For example,
what is your name?
- Hilary S. Banks.
- Education?
Two years of college.
And what are your qualifications
to work in an art gallery?
Well, I'm like..
An art gallery, to me, is like..
Well, you know,
it's like, okay.
Okay, when I walk into an art
gallery, it's like..
Okay, if I had
to choose, alright
Well, you know,
it's like, I mean..
Leave me alone!
You're hired.
Yo, yo, G.
- Is Aunt Viv here?
- Yes, she's in the kitchen.
- Shall I..
- No!
She can't know we're here.
She hasn't let us
watch TV in a week.
I'm starting to get
withdrawal symptoms, man.
My body needs a certain amount
of microwaves.
Hi, guys. How's that history
class coming?
- Fine.
- Yeah. Decent, I guess.
How are you doing
with your term papers and your
reading assignments
and your economic graphs
of the cotton industry?
Dad, if you don't mind,
we'd rather not talk
about History class.
Okay, suit yourself.
♪ Wade in the water ♪
♪ Wade in the water children ♪
♪ Wade in the water.. ♪
Uncle Phil, please.
If memory serves, this Black
history class was your idea.
Yeah, but I didn't know
Aunt Viv was gonna teach it.
She's driving us crazy.
Last night, I had a dream
that I went to the prom
with Harriet Tubman.
Will, I saw this coming.
You thought you're gonna
get a free ride
in that History class
didn't you?
- No, I didn't.
- I sure did.
Well, I don't have any sympathy
for either one of you.
Just because she's doing a good
at teaching the class
and making you do
some hard work.
- You can't take it.
- Look, that's not it.
Uncle Phil, for her own good,
you have to warn her
if she keeps being so tough,
the whole class is gonna revolt.
I can see it in the kids' faces.
They're on the edge.
♪ Hush hush ♪
♪ Somebody's calling my name ♪
♪ My Jesus ♪
♪ Hush hush ♪
♪ Oh Lordie ♪
♪ Somebody's calling my name ♪
♪ Hallelujah ♪
♪ Hush ♪
-Umoja.
-What?
Umoja.It's Swahili for
"Unity." Dope, huh?
I got the whole Berlitz course
on cassette
for my oral report today.
Hey, Lieberbaum
Did you take my Jet magazine?
No, I've got my own
subscription.
Good morning, class.
Well, who would like to make
the first oral presentation?
Jonathan, you did
your presentation yesterday.
But I've done a whole new
presentation, just for fun.
Professor Banks, before we make
our presentations
we have something to say to you.
A bunch of us were at
Chadney's house the other night
making our extra-credit dioramas
and we started talking and
we agreed it was a shame
that you're going to leave
at the end of the month.
Oh, yeah, terrible.
- That's wack. Wack situation.
- That's a shame.
So, anyway, we came up with
this.
It's a petition for you
to become
our permanent history teacher.
Shoot me.
Guys..
I'm overwhelmed.
This is very flattering.
According to the
school rulebook
we need a 150 signatures.
And so far we've collected 148.
We thought it'd be fun if the
two signatures
to put it over the top
were Will and Carlton.
Guys, do the honors.
After you, Will.
No, you go ahead first.
I insist.
She's your mom.
This class was your idea.
Okay, okay, listen, guys.
I'm very touched
that you want me to stay
but I don't think
the university would approve.
- But I don't see--
- Let's get back to work.
Mr. Fletcher, would you care
to give your report, please?
- Hi there, Aunt Viv.
- What are you doing?
Just grading papers.
The class coming over later?
Yeah. Maybe you can tell us
more about Harriet Tubman.
Yeah, I never get
enough of her.
I think you did get enough.
You thought one month was
enough.
Mom, I'm sorry if I wasn't
as enthusiastic
as the rest of the guys.
You're a great teacher.
It's just..
I hope you don't take this
the wrong way
but you made our lives a living
nightmare.
Now how did I do that?
But Aunt Viv, you read me
in front of the whole class.
You gave us all that extra work
and made us do all those
reports.
I didn't hear any complaints
from the rest of the class.
That's because you were harder
on the two us.
I'm sorry you felt
I was being hard on you
but I thought the two
Black students
would actually want to get
the most out of the course.
I guess we didn't think
about it that way.
- Mom.
- Yes.
This whole ugly episode
it's not going to affect my
grade, will it?
I'm a very tough grader,
Carlton.
And you're very
beautiful, mommy.
Will, there's one thing
I've been wondering.
What's that?
Why did you want
a course in Black history
in the first place?
- 'Cause I'm interested in it.
- Are you really?
Of course.
You didn't seem happy about all
the work I was giving you.
Weren't you the one who said
if you were really
interested in something,
you would study hard?
Aunt Viv, I read The
Autobiography of Malcolm X
three times.
And that makes you a serious
student on Black history?
That's a very important book.
Will, baby,
you can read that book
you can wear the T-shirts, you
can put up the posters
and you can shout the
slogans
but unless you know
all the history behind it
you're trivializing
the entire struggle.
Now you started something
very good here
but it's up to you, baby,
to follow through on it.
[theme music]