Television programs throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s confronted race in the United States. African American’s had always been misrepresented on television, or if portrayed, the characters would embody racial stereotypes. Therefore, in the late 1960’s, African Americans began to receive more prominent roles in popular American television programs on big networks. This era was a major time for a change in race relations in the African American community in the media. The representation of African Americans throughout this era on television was notable and revolutionary in programs such as All in the Family, Julia and Room 222.
In the episode “Sammy’s Visit” on the television show All in the Family, broadcasted …show more content…
The episode has multiple race undertones. One comment made by a co-worker of Julia, Mrs. Yarby, tells Corey that his mom and her work like “slaves”. In another moment of the episode, Julia’s white neighbor says to one of the African American Santa 's “when it comes to holidays, you folks sure do go all out”. These racial remarks are covered with humor but they do represent the racial tensions that African Americans had experienced. Julia was groundbreaking because it starred an African American woman which broke racial barriers. In Gary Edgerton’s essay A Great Awakening: Prime Time for Network Television, 1964-1975 he states that the character of Julia was a “sign of social progress...no matter how idealized or evasive some of those representations ultimately might be”(242). The character of Julia was relatable, which made the show popular. She was beautiful, middle class and spoke English perfectly. Julia was well educated, independent, liberated and supported herself and son alone working as a nurse. Her apartment complex was racially integrated and her good friends were white. Her life was portrayed in a positive light which was unprecedented for a black woman on …show more content…
This shift in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, that involved an integration of African American roles into national television programs, was a reflection of what was occurring in reality. In Edgerton’s essay, he states that “prime-time television during the 1960s was always reflective of what was going on in American society and culture”(248). This new inclusion of African Americans into television was in relation to America’s values in the social and political world. The nation was changing as more people became interested in racial reform and activism. Large television networks tuned into this shift and responded by creating more roles for African American actors. This era was a major time for a change in race relations. African Americans were coming to terms with their new acceptance into society and white Americans were supporting civil rights legislation. The shows of All in the Family, Julia and Room 222 were all progressive in their ideas of racial integration and assimilation of African
In the episode “Sammy’s Visit” on the television show All in the Family, broadcasted …show more content…
The episode has multiple race undertones. One comment made by a co-worker of Julia, Mrs. Yarby, tells Corey that his mom and her work like “slaves”. In another moment of the episode, Julia’s white neighbor says to one of the African American Santa 's “when it comes to holidays, you folks sure do go all out”. These racial remarks are covered with humor but they do represent the racial tensions that African Americans had experienced. Julia was groundbreaking because it starred an African American woman which broke racial barriers. In Gary Edgerton’s essay A Great Awakening: Prime Time for Network Television, 1964-1975 he states that the character of Julia was a “sign of social progress...no matter how idealized or evasive some of those representations ultimately might be”(242). The character of Julia was relatable, which made the show popular. She was beautiful, middle class and spoke English perfectly. Julia was well educated, independent, liberated and supported herself and son alone working as a nurse. Her apartment complex was racially integrated and her good friends were white. Her life was portrayed in a positive light which was unprecedented for a black woman on …show more content…
This shift in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, that involved an integration of African American roles into national television programs, was a reflection of what was occurring in reality. In Edgerton’s essay, he states that “prime-time television during the 1960s was always reflective of what was going on in American society and culture”(248). This new inclusion of African Americans into television was in relation to America’s values in the social and political world. The nation was changing as more people became interested in racial reform and activism. Large television networks tuned into this shift and responded by creating more roles for African American actors. This era was a major time for a change in race relations. African Americans were coming to terms with their new acceptance into society and white Americans were supporting civil rights legislation. The shows of All in the Family, Julia and Room 222 were all progressive in their ideas of racial integration and assimilation of African