Southern Crossings

[Dynomite]

Racial bigotry, segregation, prejudice-three issues Al Delvecchio was confronting. I don't understand why Al was hesitant to tell Howard and Marion about making that trip to the south for the cause of ending segregation and fighting racial bigotry. He tells Fonzie about the cause he stands for. Fonzie reluctantly decides to make the trip with Al for the same cause. Al shouldn't have been so hesitant, because Howard and Marion feel as strongly about fighting racial bigotry as he does, maybe even more. Howard probably would've made the trip to the south with Al and Fonzie to confront prejudice if Al had explained the reasons to make that trip for a good cause. Marion probably would've ran Cunningham Hardware in Howard's absence. Nonetheless, Fonzie and Al made the trip and were guests of this african-american family. They made signs for the demonstration against bigotry. Later, at this diner, Al, Fonzie and Charles(from the family they're guests of) went to this diner, and subsequently confronted bigotry and segregation, head on. It starts when this racist patron starts taunting Charles, but Fonzie stands up for him. Al has to remind Fonzie that this a non-violent cause. Mae the waitress backs down the racist patron. Next, here comes this misguided Sheriff, who tries to order Charles out of the diner, but he rightfully refuses to comply and Fonzie stands by Charles. The Sheriff attempts to arrest the three for trespassing and obstruction, but Al confronts the Sheriff and the diner owner about their prejudicial attitudes. He tells them their bigoted views are an absolute abomination, then he turns to the diner owner and tells him he's been in the restaurant business for more than a quarter century, and he loves serving all patrons, no matter the ethnicity or gender of each patron. Mae gets Al's message loud and clear and starts serving him, Fonzie and Charles the coffee they asked for. Mae tells the diner owner that Al's correct, she's sick and tired of everyone's racist attitudes and she'll no longer be a part of it-she'll serve whomever comes into the diner, and any ethnic background about them no longer matters. The Sheriff leaves, and so does the racist patron and two of his companions. Mae tells Al, Fonzie and Charles that the coffee she has served them is on the house. The three leave to finish preparing the signs for the anti-segregation demonstration, but not before Fonzie taps the wall with his fist and knocks down a sign, which was evidence of segregation. Back in Milwaukee, Fonzie tells Marion about the anti-segregation demonstration in the south. She would eventually tell Howard about the event, but not before he discovers the television repair man returns the TV he fixed. Since this isn't the first time the Happy Days gang confronted racism, chime in with your thoughts about this powerful subject.

[robyrob]

I thought it was a very strange episode - i mean you KNOW what they were going for, but it just wasn't a very entertaining episode.

[dave insinga]

i like that episode,they tried to tackle some serious issues not every episode can be bubbly and funny.i would not say it was the most entertaining episode but it served a purpose.

[WalrusIsPaul]

I actually like this episode a lot

[snl 70s show fan]

i really liked the ep