Lucille Ball: Racist - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JT · 06-10-2002, 09:02 PM

A friend of mine said that Lucille Ball spoke at his uncle's school once a long time a go and he says that Lucy did not like black people. If this is true, I will lose all respect for her. And I will never watch the show again.

melluvslucy · 06-10-2002, 10:32 PM

That can't be true. Her maid Harriet McCain was one of her closest personal friends throughout her career and life. She had Flip Wilson on her show. She loved Sammy Davis, Jr. and Isabel Sanford. And another guy on The Lucy Show who taught her how to dance....I forget his name. If she didn't like black people, then I'm confused as to why she had so many on her shows with her and in her life. I've heard a story about Lucy being friends with someone's grandmother on another website, and she is black as well. I just don't get it!

dawsongirl · 06-10-2002, 10:35 PM

That doesn't sound right. Her personal assistant for years, Harriet, was black and I'm pretty sure the children's nanny was black. I doubt she would have allowed those people in her home if she was racist.

I definitely know Desi wasn't because he grew up with several black people in Cuba and spoke fondly of them in his autobiography if I remember right.

Pitooey · 06-11-2002, 10:16 AM

I think it's kind of unfair for Lucy. She is no longer with us and cannot answer such an important question. In my heart

I believe she wasn't racist.

Tiger32 · 06-11-2002, 04:30 PM

I don't think that she was as prejudice as some have claimed, because she herself was involved in a interracial marriage. Although her husband was not black, he was from an ethnic group (Hispanic) which contains a large number of blacks, particularly in Cuba.

Of course, everyone knows that Desi Arnaz was a musician from Cuba, which has a heavy African musical influence. Anyone who studied music knows that Salsa music was created by Cubans of African descent. Therefore this culture was probably part of Desi Arnaz influence.

With this said, I do not think that she had hatred for blacks, but she lived at a time when most of America viewed people of African descent differently then they do now. But fortunately things have changed for the better.

That Other Fan · 06-12-2002, 03:03 AM

Sammy Davis Jr. was a close personal friend of Lucy's (I doubt he would be friends with someone who felt like that)

Desi Arnaz was hispanic and Gary Morton was Jewish after all (being "racist" doesn't mean just hating African American...and before someone takes that comment the wrong way I am African American )

Tiger32 · 06-12-2002, 11:58 AM

That Other Fan, while I will agree with your statement that racism is not only targeting people of African descent, I think you are mistaken when you include a Jewish person of European Ancestry in your argument.

Religious bigotry and racism are two different things, although they both involve hate.

Judaism is a religion and not a race, as some people seem to think, because there are black Jews, white Jews and Asian Jews all over the world. Just like there are Muslims and Christians of all races.

My point is that racism is descrimination based upon "race" (i.e. the color of one's skin). A person usually does not know a person's faith until talking with them, whereas a person's colour is seen immediately, and pre-judgements on that person is made without that person having a chance to show the content of his or her character. So, in my book there is a huge difference, and I disagree with anyone who tries to represent racism and religious bigotry as being the same, because they are obviously not.

Crimson and Clover · 06-12-2002, 01:49 PM

I could never believe that she is racist not in a million years.

Kristina · 06-12-2002, 01:51 PM

I do not believe that at all she was to good of a person, she was accused of being a communist and she was NOT! Just let her R.I.P. instead of starting all these accusations about who she was. For black people in the 50's there was aaaaaaallllloooooottt of prejudice but I don't believe Lucille would stand for such an evil thing.

Beruche · 06-12-2002, 04:48 PM

I don't think she was because from what other people mentioned she had black friends so she couldn't have been a racist or else she wouldn't have been. So I think the person who told you that is very wrong.

SoFl123 · 06-12-2002, 05:17 PM

JT why would Lucy go to a school and talk about something like that? its like, "Im Lucy Ball and i dont like black people, and im here to talk about it". i just dont see that realisticly happening.

That Other Fan · 06-12-2002, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tiger32
That Other Fan, while I will agree with your statement that racism is not only targeting people of African descent, I think you are mistaken when you include a Jewish person of European Ancestry in your argument.

Religious bigotry and racism are two different things, although they both involve hate.

Judaism is a religion and not a race, as some people seem to think, because there are black Jews, white Jews and Asian Jews all over the world. Just like there are Muslims and Christians of all races.

My point is that racism is descrimination based upon "race" (i.e. the color of one's skin). A person usually does not know a person's faith until talking with them, whereas a person's colour is seen immediately, and pre-judgements on that person is made without that person having a chance to show the content of his or her character. So, in my book there is a huge difference, and I disagree with anyone who tries to represent racism and religious bigotry as being the same, because they are obviously not.

I agree

My comments were directed more toward this topic in particular. In the first post, the individual says a family member told him/her that Lucille Ball did not like Black people. My point was that racism/hate does not extend to just one minority group, and considering that Lucy did not discriminate in love or in friendships, racist was one of the things that Lucy wasn't.

Will and Grace Fanatic · 06-13-2002, 08:35 PM

I don't think she was racist she was probably one of the least racist people in the very much racist 1950's. How could someone be racist and also be married to someone who was not white and have children with that person.

dawsongirl · 06-13-2002, 10:35 PM

I just remembered this little story. Early in their courtship, Lucy and Desi were on a little day vacation and they stopped at a restaurant. Desi went to the restroom to wash up or something and in the meantime, the waitress came. She asked Lucy if Desi was an Indian because they weren't supposed to sell booze to Indians. Lucy was appauled at her comment.

I don't know if that really has anything to do with this, but there you are.

Ricardos4ever · 06-16-2002, 12:30 AM

In her autobiography, Lucy mentions that when she was living in NYC during her run on Broadway, she was living in an apartment house in which blacks were not allowed to ride the front elevator. She said, "I changed that rule in a hurry. Harriet and I were the first to integrate those $1,300-a-month apartments, I'm glad to say." I certainly doubt that she was a racist.

06-10-2002, 09:02 PM	#1
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	Lucille Ball: Racist A friend of mine said that Lucille Ball spoke at his uncle's school once a long time a go and he says that Lucy did not like black people. If this is true, I will lose all respect for her. And I will never watch the show again.

06-11-2002, 10:16 AM	#4
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	I think it's kind of unfair for Lucy. She is no longer with us and cannot answer such an important question. In my heart I believe she wasn't racist.
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

06-12-2002, 11:58 AM	#7
Tiger32 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 624	That Other Fan, while I will agree with your statement that racism is not only targeting people of African descent, I think you are mistaken when you include a Jewish person of European Ancestry in your argument. Religious bigotry and racism are two different things, although they both involve hate. Judaism is a religion and not a race, as some people seem to think, because there are black Jews, white Jews and Asian Jews all over the world. Just like there are Muslims and Christians of all races. My point is that racism is descrimination based upon "race" (i.e. the color of one's skin). A person usually does not know a person's faith until talking with them, whereas a person's colour is seen immediately, and pre-judgements on that person is made without that person having a chance to show the content of his or her character. So, in my book there is a huge difference, and I disagree with anyone who tries to represent racism and religious bigotry as being the same, because they are obviously not.
	Last edited by Tiger32; 06-12-2002 at 04:08 PM.

06-12-2002, 01:49 PM	#8
Crimson and Clover Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 09, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 17,345	I could never believe that she is racist not in a million years.
	__________________ Friend me: http://www.facebook.com/MaryLynnCall My Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/MotherMary You'll never find a sweeter combination As peace and love - Mishka

06-13-2002, 08:35 PM	#13
Will and Grace Fanatic be happy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 15, 2002 Location: seattle, washington Posts: 2,746	I don't think she was racist she was probably one of the least racist people in the very much racist 1950's. How could someone be racist and also be married to someone who was not white and have children with that person.
	__________________ love is love

06-10-2002, 10:32 PM	#2
melluvslucy My future lies in CA Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2001 Location: In the room with many mirrors, LOL! Posts: 110	That can't be true. Her maid Harriet McCain was one of her closest personal friends throughout her career and life. She had Flip Wilson on her show. She loved Sammy Davis, Jr. and Isabel Sanford. And another guy on The Lucy Show who taught her how to dance....I forget his name. If she didn't like black people, then I'm confused as to why she had so many on her shows with her and in her life. I've heard a story about Lucy being friends with someone's grandmother on another website, and she is black as well. I just don't get it!

06-10-2002, 10:35 PM	#3
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	That doesn't sound right. Her personal assistant for years, Harriet, was black and I'm pretty sure the children's nanny was black. I doubt she would have allowed those people in her home if she was racist. I definitely know Desi wasn't because he grew up with several black people in Cuba and spoke fondly of them in his autobiography if I remember right.

06-11-2002, 04:30 PM	#5
Tiger32 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 624	I don't think that she was as prejudice as some have claimed, because she herself was involved in a interracial marriage. Although her husband was not black, he was from an ethnic group (Hispanic) which contains a large number of blacks, particularly in Cuba. Of course, everyone knows that Desi Arnaz was a musician from Cuba, which has a heavy African musical influence. Anyone who studied music knows that Salsa music was created by Cubans of African descent. Therefore this culture was probably part of Desi Arnaz influence. With this said, I do not think that she had hatred for blacks, but she lived at a time when most of America viewed people of African descent differently then they do now. But fortunately things have changed for the better.

06-12-2002, 03:03 AM	#6
That Other Fan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 27, 2001 Posts: 191	Sammy Davis Jr. was a close personal friend of Lucy's (I doubt he would be friends with someone who felt like that) Desi Arnaz was hispanic and Gary Morton was Jewish after all (being "racist" doesn't mean just hating African American...and before someone takes that comment the wrong way I am African American )

06-12-2002, 01:51 PM	#9
Kristina Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 27, 2001 Location: CaLiFoRnIa, UsA Posts: 8,890	I do not believe that at all she was to good of a person, she was accused of being a communist and she was NOT! Just let her R.I.P. instead of starting all these accusations about who she was. For black people in the 50's there was aaaaaaallllloooooottt of prejudice but I don't believe Lucille would stand for such an evil thing.

06-12-2002, 04:48 PM	#10
Beruche Chicago Senior Member Join Date: Aug 27, 2001 Location: In anti land singing the lala song Posts: 2,613	I don't think she was because from what other people mentioned she had black friends so she couldn't have been a racist or else she wouldn't have been. So I think the person who told you that is very wrong.

06-12-2002, 05:17 PM	#11
SoFl123 TTTTT Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 19, 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 583	JT why would Lucy go to a school and talk about something like that? its like, "Im Lucy Ball and i dont like black people, and im here to talk about it". i just dont see that realisticly happening.

06-13-2002, 10:35 PM	#14
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	I just remembered this little story. Early in their courtship, Lucy and Desi were on a little day vacation and they stopped at a restaurant. Desi went to the restroom to wash up or something and in the meantime, the waitress came. She asked Lucy if Desi was an Indian because they weren't supposed to sell booze to Indians. Lucy was appauled at her comment. I don't know if that really has anything to do with this, but there you are.

06-16-2002, 12:30 AM	#15
Ricardos4ever Henna-rinsess Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 28, 2002 Location: Somewhere in the middle of the world's longest Conga line Posts: 473	In her autobiography, Lucy mentions that when she was living in NYC during her run on Broadway, she was living in an apartment house in which blacks were not allowed to ride the front elevator. She said, "I changed that rule in a hurry. Harriet and I were the first to integrate those $1,300-a-month apartments, I'm glad to say." I certainly doubt that she was a racist.