Did "Sanford and Son" perpetuate racial stereotypes, or was it an honest look at working class Blacks?

Answer 1

Sansford and Son was a comedy. It was designed to make people laugh. One of the techniques (still used today) produces nervous laughter. This was what Sandford and Son did. They used the stereotypes to show how rediculous it was. This demonstrated, to the viewers, the rediculous nature of the stereotype and made them laugh. That was the intended purpose. Red Foxx and his TV show and comedy routines did more to combat racism than anything the Democrats and Liberals have ever done.

This technique was used by many comedians in other ethnic groups. Jackie Mason, Milton Berle, Alan King and many other did this about stereotypes of Jews.

During the late 60's and 70's many shows like Sanford and Son, Maude, All in the Family made great strides in countering racism by showing the stereotypes.

Look at All in the Family. Archie Bunker was a true bigot. He disliked everyone who was not a WASP. His first neighbors was Italian Catholics and he hated them as much as he hated the Jeffersons. His hatred of Hispanics, Jews and other ethnic groups was displayed in the shows. Everytime Archie used an ethnic slur or some ethnic stereotype the show immediately countered it.

Do you believe the actors that starred in these shows would have participated if the show did not counter the stereotypes. No, they would not. They participated because the show did exactly what they had been doing their entire lives. The difference is the shows reached millions of people at one time.

The producers, writers and actors knew that the best way to counter a belief system was to show the STUPID side of it. But, because of the "Political Correctness" forced on us by the America haters, anyone who uses this technique is now called a racist.

Even today, commedians of all ethnic groups use Stereotypes in their comedy. It is not done to reinforce the stereotype but, to counter it. The downside to this is that these commedians are now being called "racist".

If you want to label shows as peretuating stereotypes, label the shows produced in the last 10 yrs or so. Most of these so called "Sitcoms" stereotype ethnic groups and fail to counter them.

So, give a big round of applause to "Political Correctness", it is doing its job well.

If you choose to listen to the modern America haters, as they twist history into evil events to justify their hatred, you are only hurting "everyone", and the country that gives "us" opportinuties that will be found nowhereelse.

Answer 2

Great show! Genius study on Comedy.
I can't speak for the working class blacks but I know that the show had great appeal to whites also. I think that Sanford tapped into the Human Condition which has broad appeal.

Answer 3

Most of those show, if you were poor, you could relate to. (Good Times) And who didn't love the Jeffersons? As far as honest look, maybe some of it was over glorified. (I said SOME)

Answer 4

i'm not sure but MAN was that show Funny..that and What's Happening