Norman Lear’s early experience of antisemitism made him America’s conscience: The ‘All in the Family’ and ‘Jeffersons’ producer died at 101
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The Forward
Grisar, PJ
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Norman Lear, who produced such pioneering and iconic television series as "All in the Family," "The Jeffersons," "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," and "Maude" died at the age of 101 on December 5, 2023. Lear was known for the social consciousness of his work. Lear attributes the birth of his social consciousness to his early experience with antisemitism. In a 2014 interview with The Forward, he described how, at the age of 9, he learned that "people disliked me because of my Jewishness," and stated that that realization profoundly influenced his attitudes about people. "My sympathies, my empathy," he noted, "went out to people who were automatically disliked just because of who they are." In addition to his career in television, Lear was an advocate for liberal causes, founding the progressive group, People for the American Way. Click on the link above to read the article.
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Lear, Norman, Theater, Movies and Television, Producers, United States, Social Activism, Social Critics and Social Criticism