Discrimination and Prejudice in Television

As my eighth graders study the Holocaust, I think it is equally important to look at how racial discrimination and prejudice can cause people to do things that they may not have done otherwise. Take Hitler for example. If he did not feel or believe so strongly that the country needed to be ethnically cleansed, would the Holocaust have taken place at all? How do we change people's belief systems? Having students look at television shows throughout history that actually tackle this theme of discrimination and prejudice in both positive and negative ways, is one way to start creating an open discussion on why people treat others differently. We can begin to have a discussion of how we can continue to grow as individuals who are accepting of others' differences.

In the following clip, Archie Bunker, who is the main character of the popular 1970's sitcom All in the Family, tackles this issue head on when they invite the Jefferson's, who are an African American couple, who recently moved into the neighborhood, to dinner. When Edith and Archie's guests arrive, there is clearly racial tension between both Archie and "George" from the beginning. When Edith allows "George" to sit in his chair, you can tell that Archie is clearly upset. They also portray those uncomfortable silences between these two men when they try to make conversation. When "George" picks up what looks to be a petition against "colored" people moving into the neighborhood, the gloves come off. They end up having a hotly debated topic on the color of God. Archie believes that God is white and "George" believes he is black.

While this is going on, it is clear that the women are stuck in their stereotypical roles which involve staying at home and tending to the house and supper.

Obviously the problem being addressed in this clip is racial relations. What I found most interesting was the comment at the end, when we find out that Edith didn't really sprain her ankle, it was an excuse to cancel dinner. Ironically, we also find out that "George" is really not George at all, and is really Weezie's brother because the real George didn't want to have dinner with them either.