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AugmentedLurker t1_j3ydomm wrote

Reply to comment by TelescopiumHerscheli in TIL that Norman Lear has produced, written, created or developed over 100 shows, including "All in the Family", "Sanford and Son" and "The Jeffersons". He's now 100 years old, and still actively producing television shows - most recently, a revival of "Good Times". by TelescopiumHerscheli

I think All in the Family did its best to navigate that problem. It didn't shy away from the fact that there were a lot of racists back then, but it tried to make Archie and his prejudices look foolish and that he came off as stubborn for no real reason.

It showed him learning and being a little more open minded as time went on (though not completely, that too was also realistic I find). There were a few episodes that he (occasionally inadvertently) befriended a minority in spite of his bigotry. There was also an episode I recall that carried the message that extremism, even with good intentions such as combating anti-Semitism, leads to violence (Archie Is Branded, Season 3 ep 20).

Idealistic, sure, but not that far from reality.

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