Am I the only one who believes Archie didn't "hate" blacks and George didn't "hate" whites? Here's how I see it: Archie grew up in a stereotypical environment so he was led to believe all the stereotypes. He believes everything but it doesn't seem he has hate for blacks or anyone else. He just thinks stereotypes are true. As for George I always saw George as being defensive all the time. I mean if you were black and lived next door to Archie Bunker wouldn't you always be on the defensive? It seems George's bigotry comes from being defensive, not hate.

Originally posted by brando316
Am I the only one who believes Archie didn't "hate" blacks and George didn't "hate" whites? Here's how I see it: Archie grew up in a stereotypical environment so he was led to believe all the stereotypes. He believes everything but it doesn't seem he has hate for blacks or anyone else. He just thinks stereotypes are true. As for George I always saw George as being defensive all the time. I mean if you were black and lived next door to Archie Bunker wouldn't you always be on the defensive? It seems George's bigotry comes from being defensive, not hate.



I see what you mean. Archie didn't have anything hatred toward Lionel and George didn't have any hatred toward Edith, Gloria, and Mike.

Originally posted by brando316
Am I the only one who believes Archie didn't "hate" blacks and George didn't "hate" whites? Here's how I see it: Archie grew up in a stereotypical environment so he was led to believe all the stereotypes. He believes everything but it doesn't seem he has hate for blacks or anyone else. He just thinks stereotypes are true. As for George I always saw George as being defensive all the time. I mean if you were black and lived next door to Archie Bunker wouldn't you always be on the defensive? It seems George's bigotry comes from being defensive, not hate.



I agree. I think you nailed it perfectly.

I think neither Archie nor George J. were genuine "haters," but, yes, they were greatly affected by their upbringings and continued to believe many ideas that engulfed them in their earlier years. But while Archie is the main comic character, whose lack of knowledge is presented as something to be laughed at, George is actually more delibertely spiteful. The Jeffersons living next door is probably the 2nd unlikely setup in the show to play off comedy; the first being Mike living in Archie's house.

Originally posted by brando316
Am I the only one who believes Archie didn't "hate" blacks and George didn't "hate" whites? Here's how I see it: Archie grew up in a stereotypical environment so he was led to believe all the stereotypes. He believes everything but it doesn't seem he has hate for blacks or anyone else. He just thinks stereotypes are true. As for George I always saw George as being defensive all the time. I mean if you were black and lived next door to Archie Bunker wouldn't you always be on the defensive? It seems George's bigotry comes from being defensive, not hate.

Yeah, that's what I think, too.