Wow, an episode about racism in 1989 in regards to blacks moving in the neighborhood

[Cobain]

I just recently watched "All in the Neighborhood." That was the episode in which Steven's friend, Gus, moved into the neighborhood with his family which caused a lot of racial tensions. I have two thoughts on this episode:

1. I'm very happy they didn't have Alex side with the "other side" or the side that was having concerns because of the economic issues of having a black family move into the neighborhood. In most of the shows Alex always sided against his parents and vice versa. The show had liberal producers so it would have been very easy for them to have Alex side with those that didn't want blacks in the neighborhood -- they could have sold the idea that Alex was an "evil, racist Republican." But to my surprise that wasn't the case. I was pleased that Alex was on the right side in this episode.

2. Did any of you think that the neighbor's argument of him potentially suffering from "financial ruin" from Gus' family moving in was a valid one?

[WatcherofOldTV]

The character of Gus was be considered for a spinoff, and the writers were test piloting him to gain audience reaction. They wanted to do it and have a show around him and his family, but the actor chose to not to go down that route.

[MacLeaper]

1. I'm very happy they didn't have Alex side with the "other side" or the side that was having concerns because of the economic issues of having a black family move into the neighborhood. In most of the shows Alex always sided against his parents and vice versa. The show had liberal producers so it would have been very easy for them to have Alex side with those that didn't want blacks in the neighborhood -- they could have sold the idea that Alex was an "evil, racist Republican." But to my surprise that wasn't the case. I was pleased that Alex was on the right side in this episode.

I definitely like this because as has been shown many times in the series, Alex does indeed have a strong moral compass and he is no racist. And I'm glad they didn't paint him as being on that side.
Much as Alex and his parents might clash, I do think one of the points of Family Ties is that both Steven and Elyse and Alex all learned something from each other in their viewpoints- and even when they differed, they always got along and stuck with each other because they loved each other- because they were a family! I wish Americans could view their country that way particularly and learn to love each other, even those with opposite viewpoints, as the Keatons modeled.
And of course, this is a great example of the love Jesus modeled and commanded- Love your enemies and pray for them. Amen.

[TVFactFan]

Watching this two part episode now about a black family who are friends with the Keatons trying to find a house and wanted to buy the house across the street but the real estate lady didn't want to sell it to them because they were black.

I personally wouldn't want to move in a neighborhood where I was the only black. It would have to be a mixture of all races and I would have not purchased the house if I was them.


BTW: This black family was a like a early version of Uncle Phil and Vivian with Carlton as their only child.

[Wawwie]

If I was a member of that black family, I wouldn't want to live in an all white neighborhood either. Too many issues and too many unnecessary headaches. I would want to live in a neighborhood that's more diverse. That's just my own personal opinion.

I could kinda see how you (Soloman) would compare the dad to Uncle Phil from Fresh Prince, but the wife was nothing like Vivian.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

If I was a member of that black family, I wouldn't want to live in an all white neighborhood either. Too many issues and too many unnecessary headaches. I would want to live in a neighborhood that's more diverse. That's just my own personal opinion.

I could kinda see how you (Soloman) would compare the dad to Uncle Phil from Fresh Prince, but the wife was nothing like Vivian.

She was like Vivian when FP did that flashback to when they lived in the hood before Ashley was born

[Wawwie]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

She was like Vivian when FP did that flashback to when they lived in the hood before Ashley was born

True.... I guess I was thinking more about appearance. The black mom in that Family Ties episode looked like a hippie compared to Vivian who always looked so polished and sophisticated. BTW, that mom from Family Ties was also in an episode of Golden Girls when she married Dorothy's son Michael.

edit: I just remembered that woman was also in an episode of Fresh Prince where she plays Will's music teacher and has Will dress like a dandelion for a graduation recital.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

True.... I guess I was thinking more about appearance. The black mom in that Family Ties episode looked like a hippie compared to Vivian who always looked so polished and sophisticated. BTW, that mom from Family Ties was also in an episode of Golden Girls when she married Dorothy's son Michael.

edit: I just remembered that woman was also in an episode of Fresh Prince where she plays Will's music teacher and has Will dress like a dandelion for a graduation recital.

When FP did the flashback it was to Vivian and Uncle Phil's hippie days lol

That's what made me compare them to the Banks

[Wawwie]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

When FP did the flashback it was to Vivian and Uncle Phil's hippie days lol

That's what made me compare them to the Banks

Yes, I can see the comparison now. Except the Family Ties mom stayed a hippie whereas Vivian really changed a lot in a lot of ways (mostly appearance.) But good for Vivian, she never forgot where she came from.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

Yes, I can see the comparison now. Except the Family Ties mom stayed a hippie whereas Vivian really changed a lot in a lot of ways (mostly appearance.) But good for Vivian, she never forgot where she came from.

The black dad did ask the Keatons were there any other black families in the area and when they said NO I guess they didn't want to hurt the keatons feelings and say "We don't want the house"

Like you said I prefer diverse areas which has been my situation since 2000. My current apt building has indians, chinese, black, and white

[Wawwie]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Like you said I prefer diverse areas which has been my situation since 2000. My current apt building has indians, chinese, black, and white

My neighborhood is mostly white, Jewish and Indian. Then there are about a dozen black families and only a couple of Asians. I do prefer the diversity.

It does make sense for the black Family Ties family to want to be in a neighborhood with others like them. Point is that they had the right to live wherever they wanted.