Racism in Happy Days - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Chachi'88 · 03-20-2009, 01:02 PM

I wanted to discuss with you a little about how it is addressing the issue of racism in Happy Day, to you as you think?

I could not help but notice some things about the racism at the early'50-'60

There are some episodes where we talk about racism but I have noticed one thing in the series.

in the early seasons are all white and if there is a person of color then the episode is about racism.

but if you're careful, very careful, from the 6th season on notice that in the scene where many people appear (eg Arnold's) happen to see people of color.

an example, in the first season in the class of Richie and co. are all white.

un'episodio but in the 6th season in Richie's class at least one student of color.

even in recent seasons, we see that racism is now much diminished, to be noted that, for example, Chachi is not racist (one of his best friends, Tommy, which appears in some scenes on the season 8-11. is color)

probably because the first 5 seasons are set between the'55-'59 while the last of the'59-'65, in the'60s now racism had decreased compared to the'50s.

if you are careful, the wedding of Joanie and Chachi are all white except for one, Tommy

I have noticed this, for you is a right?

TripperFan · 03-20-2009, 01:27 PM

Yes, I've noticed and they pretty much handled it with reality. Back then it was "rare" to have more than one or two students in a class with whites. As the 60s progressed, it was more and more common to have more included (thankfully).

It was the same in hollywood in general. Roles for blacks were mainly either as housekeepers, maids, butlers, or musicians. Slowly, they were put in more and more leading roles (Sidney Portier for example).

Talk about a turnaround. Whenever I see classrooms on the news now (locally), the majority of students are of colour and whites are in the minority.

What is it like in Italy - is it the same way as here in North America?

wayne · 03-20-2009, 01:53 PM

If you remember the episode with Sticks the drummer, the gang took on the racism factor head on. Especially with Fonzie and Ritchie. I also saw a black in the audience in Fonzie's baptism. So it sounds like they tried to break the barrier but it was the 70's and there probably was still plenty of racism. not that there is none now but political correctness hasn't helped in my humble opinion.

Chachi'88 · 03-20-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

What is it like in Italy - is it the same way as here in North America?

I assume that is in but America there are definitely, infinitely more men of color.

TripperFan · 03-20-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chachi'88

I assume that is in but America there are definitely, infinitely more men of color.

I thought that was the case. Oddly, there don't seem to be that many of colour who immigrate to Italy.

TripperFan · 03-20-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne

If you remember the episode with Sticks the drummer, the gang took on the racism factor head on. Especially with Fonzie and Ritchie. I also saw a black in the audience in Fonzie's baptism. So it sounds like they tried to break the barrier but it was the 70's and there probably was still plenty of racism. not that there is none now but political correctness hasn't helped in my humble opinion.

Yah, I was going to mention that ep with Sticks at the country club. I could really relate because the drummer in my brother's band at the time was black. Like Ritchie and Fonzie we thought nothing of it and would have fought for him if there had ever been a racist "banning" of him anywhere.

I noticed how they made the two most respected characters on the show (Ritchie and Fonz) to be the ones who weren't the least bit predudice. It was good because it showed kids that it was actually "cool" NOT to be bigoted.

Heidi Dawn · 03-20-2009, 04:05 PM

There's another episode that focused on racism, 'Southern Crossing' in Season 9. Fonzie and Al travel to the southern U.S. to participate in the civil rights protest. The restaurants down there at the time were segragated by race. I actually liked this episode better than the earlier racism episode in Season 3.

Chachi'88 · 03-20-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heidi Dawn

There's another episode that focused on racism, 'Southern Crossing' in Season 9. Fonzie and Al travel to the southern U.S. to participate in the civil rights protest. The restaurants down there at the time were segragated by race. I actually liked this episode better than the earlier racism episode in Season 3.

even that is a beautiful episode.

you know I would like to deepen the friend of color of Chachi, Tommy

robyrob · 03-20-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heidi Dawn

There's another episode that focused on racism, 'Southern Crossing' in Season 9. Fonzie and Al travel to the southern U.S. to participate in the civil rights protest. The restaurants down there at the time were segragated by race. I actually liked this episode better than the earlier racism episode in Season 3.

there was also an episode in the first season that was focused on racism - #14- The Best Man, Howard invites his old army buddy Fred Washington to get married in the Cunninghams' home and the neighbors are not too happy when they find out that it is an African-American couple .

robyrob · 03-20-2009, 06:29 PM

there have also been a few black characters on the show where they didn't make a big deal about it - but they weren't really big characters:

- one of the contestants in the Howdy Doody episode was a black kid (Howdy Doody says "wow, he's a dead ringer")

- in Spunky Come Home , it is a black kid named Wilbur that finds and tries to keep Fonzie's dog

- in Fonzie for the Defence, Fonzie is on the jury for a trial where a black guy is accused of stealing a woman's purse, there is an element of racism in this episode, some of the jury members assume that the defendant is guilty just be cause he is black, but Fonzie proves them wrong.

- in #184 - Tall Story Fonzie tries to talk a man into letting his son with epilepsy play on the basketball team, they were far too busy with the epilepsy message to worry that John was black

Chachi'88 · 03-21-2009, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

- in Spunky Come Home , it is a black kid named Wilbur that finds and tries to keep Fonzie's dog

- in Fonzie for the Defence, Fonzie is on the jury for a trial where a black guy is accused of stealing a woman's purse, there is an element of racism in this episode, some of the jury members assume that the defendant is guilty just be cause he is black, but Fonzie proves them wrong.

- in #184 - Tall Story Fonzie tries to talk a man into letting his son with epilepsy play on the basketball team, they were far too busy with the epilepsy message to worry that John was black

I recalled them both, i love Tall Story.

Spunky Come Home not remember the character of color but now you have reminded me, thanks

Joe M. Davis · 03-23-2013, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

there was also an episode in the first season that was focused on racism - #14- The Best Man, Howard invites his old army buddy Fred Washington to get married in the Cunninghams' home and the neighbors are not too happy when they find out that it is an African-American couple .

I alwas thought that was ironic. In the "Love American Style" pilot, Howard is shocked when he finds "a colored man" in his living room. The writers probably forgot all about that bit.

Dr. Thong · 03-23-2013, 10:52 AM

I always liked what Fonzie said in the episode where Howard's black army buddy was getting married, "I'll take a cool black guy over an uncool white guy. And vice versa, if you get my drift."

I liked the message - it's not about a person's color, it's about who they are inside.

nectarsis · 04-26-2013, 12:02 AM

Besides the fact that both real world (70's) and show setting (50's) were still pretty racist, it's also set in a city LONG known for (VERY sadly) being very segregated.

Also you have to consider the demographic this show was aimed at (nostalgic white families missing their :good old days"), etc.

03-20-2009, 01:27 PM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,087	Yes, I've noticed and they pretty much handled it with reality. Back then it was "rare" to have more than one or two students in a class with whites. As the 60s progressed, it was more and more common to have more included (thankfully). It was the same in hollywood in general. Roles for blacks were mainly either as housekeepers, maids, butlers, or musicians. Slowly, they were put in more and more leading roles (Sidney Portier for example). Talk about a turnaround. Whenever I see classrooms on the news now (locally), the majority of students are of colour and whites are in the minority. What is it like in Italy - is it the same way as here in North America?
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

03-20-2009, 01:53 PM	#3
wayne Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 03, 2000 Location: portland Oregon, Inspiration Point Posts: 1,047	If you remember the episode with Sticks the drummer, the gang took on the racism factor head on. Especially with Fonzie and Ritchie. I also saw a black in the audience in Fonzie's baptism. So it sounds like they tried to break the barrier but it was the 70's and there probably was still plenty of racism. not that there is none now but political correctness hasn't helped in my humble opinion.
	__________________ wayne's world

03-20-2009, 04:05 PM	#7
Heidi Dawn Muppets Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 01, 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 883	There's another episode that focused on racism, 'Southern Crossing' in Season 9. Fonzie and Al travel to the southern U.S. to participate in the civil rights protest. The restaurants down there at the time were segragated by race. I actually liked this episode better than the earlier racism episode in Season 3.
	__________________ Complete Series Box Sets I own: MASH, Three's Company, Gilligan's Island, The Dukes Of Hazzard, The Golden Girls, The Monkees, The Brady Bunch, Full House, I Dream Of Jeannie, Bewitched, Taxi, Gimme A Break, Dallas, Charlie's Angels, Joanie Loves Chachi, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, The Cosby Show, The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Diff'rent Strokes, Green Acres.

03-23-2013, 10:52 AM	#13
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	I always liked what Fonzie said in the episode where Howard's black army buddy was getting married, "I'll take a cool black guy over an uncool white guy. And vice versa, if you get my drift." I liked the message - it's not about a person's color, it's about who they are inside.
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03-20-2009, 01:02 PM	#1
Chachi'88 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 21, 2008 Location: Milano (ita) Posts: 165	Racism in Happy Days I wanted to discuss with you a little about how it is addressing the issue of racism in Happy Day, to you as you think? I could not help but notice some things about the racism at the early'50-'60 There are some episodes where we talk about racism but I have noticed one thing in the series. in the early seasons are all white and if there is a person of color then the episode is about racism. but if you're careful, very careful, from the 6th season on notice that in the scene where many people appear (eg Arnold's) happen to see people of color. an example, in the first season in the class of Richie and co. are all white. un'episodio but in the 6th season in Richie's class at least one student of color. even in recent seasons, we see that racism is now much diminished, to be noted that, for example, Chachi is not racist (one of his best friends, Tommy, which appears in some scenes on the season 8-11. is color) probably because the first 5 seasons are set between the'55-'59 while the last of the'59-'65, in the'60s now racism had decreased compared to the'50s. if you are careful, the wedding of Joanie and Chachi are all white except for one, Tommy I have noticed this, for you is a right?

03-20-2009, 06:29 PM	#10
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,156	there have also been a few black characters on the show where they didn't make a big deal about it - but they weren't really big characters: - one of the contestants in the Howdy Doody episode was a black kid (Howdy Doody says "wow, he's a dead ringer") - in Spunky Come Home , it is a black kid named Wilbur that finds and tries to keep Fonzie's dog - in Fonzie for the Defence, Fonzie is on the jury for a trial where a black guy is accused of stealing a woman's purse, there is an element of racism in this episode, some of the jury members assume that the defendant is guilty just be cause he is black, but Fonzie proves them wrong. - in #184 - Tall Story Fonzie tries to talk a man into letting his son with epilepsy play on the basketball team, they were far too busy with the epilepsy message to worry that John was black

04-26-2013, 12:02 AM	#14
nectarsis Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 24, 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 16	Besides the fact that both real world (70's) and show setting (50's) were still pretty racist, it's also set in a city LONG known for (VERY sadly) being very segregated. Also you have to consider the demographic this show was aimed at (nostalgic white families missing their :good old days"), etc.