respectability

At a time when other sitcoms occasionally tackled social issues in “very special” episodes and “The Cosby Show” hewed to its namesake star’s dedication to respectability politics, “A Different World” regularly confronted harder topics.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

Clawing back respectability is the new imperative on the horizon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

"The picture they tried to present to the outside world was one of respectability," he said.

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026

Spoofs like best musical nominee “Titanique,” a zany burlesque of James Cameron’s “Titanic” and all things Celine Dion, found new respectability on Broadway.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

The politics of respectability made sense to many black reformers during the Jim Crow era, since African Americans had no vote, could not change policy, and lived under the constant threat of the Klan.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

His neuroticism, although he learned to control it. left him with a lifelong terror of going beyond the "cleanly respectabilities."

From Time Magazine Archive

The degree to which one is incommoded with imperfect respectabilities, depends of course a good deal upon the extent of his good-nature, or his dislike of coming to strong measures in social life.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 431 Volume 17, New Series, April 3, 1852 by William Chambers

Society is not so very exacting, but it revenges itself on people who defy the respectabilities.

From The Eternal City by Sir Hall Caine

Return to Table of Contents Everybody must have had some trouble in his time with imperfect respectabilities.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 431 Volume 17, New Series, April 3, 1852 by William Chambers

He must be first endorsed, by a banker, clergyman, or some other of the noted respectabilities of the land!

From The Child Wife by Mayne Reid