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When it comes to the media and how it portrays a person's gender, plenty of people grumble. "The media portrays people in a (fill in with angry statement) manner," and "The media portrays men as (insert statement) and women as (insert statement)." However, when it comes to taking it one step beyond the grumbling, very few people actually do anything to change how the media world works. Norman Lear is one of those few people.
Norman Lear (1922-present day) started off as a small time movie director in the '50's. In the beginning he made classical '50's movies, all along the same plot line of the others, perfect family and such. He directed and produced 15 movies, including The Princess Bride and Cold Turkey, and countless TV shows, such as All in The Family and Maude. However, all this work he does seems great for a director, but it's what he does with those movies that matters. He turned the common idea of gender roles on their heads later on during his careersin his sitcoms and TV shows. His Mona Lisa of this film activism would be All in the Family. In which, the protagonist of the show is known as Archie Bunker, who can be defined as one of the most outspoken bigots on television. Lear's stand in activism is shown by the characters surrounding Archie, such as his son-in-law and his wife, that provide more moderate views to everything. Norman Lear's activism is not limited to the film industry. In 2003 he bought a copy of the Declaration of Independence, not because he wanted to collect our nation's birth certificate, but he took it on tour. Norman Lear took his copy of the Declaration all around the country, stopping in major cities to show people who had never seen it, and might not get the chance, what it looked like. Norman Lear founded the PFAW (People for the American Way). This organization works to educate and change how people view small changes in America, such as election reform, immigration reform, and the same ideals. He also founded the EMA, whose goal was to educate people people about the environment by films and television.
In my opinion, his greatest addition to helping people overcome media stereotypes, are his contributions in the field of philanthropy. He created the Norman Lear foundation, which is a private foundation, its goal is merely to support other reforming non-profit organizations. This, to me shows that he cares about the way the American life can be, rather than the continual media stereotypes. This sort of theme is often recurring in his films and shows that were made in an age that didn't agree all that well with non-traditional ideas.
When it comes to the media and how it portrays a person's gender, plenty of people grumble. "The media portrays people in a (fill in with angry statement) manner," and "The media portrays men as (insert statement) and women as (insert statement)." However, when it comes to taking it one step beyond the grumbling, very few people actually do anything to change how the media world works. Norman Lear is one of those few people.
Norman Lear (1922-present day) started off as a small time movie director in the '50's. In the beginning he made classical '50's movies, all along the same plot line of the others, perfect family and such. He directed and produced 15 movies, including The Princess Bride and Cold Turkey, and countless TV shows, such as All in The Family and Maude. However, all this work he does seems great for a director, but it's what he does with those movies that matters. He turned the common idea of gender roles on their heads later on during his careersin his sitcoms and TV shows. His Mona Lisa of this film activism would be All in the Family. In which, the protagonist of the show is known as Archie Bunker, who can be defined as one of the most outspoken bigots on television. Lear's stand in activism is shown by the characters surrounding Archie, such as his son-in-law and his wife, that provide more moderate views to everything. Norman Lear's activism is not limited to the film industry. In 2003 he bought a copy of the Declaration of Independence, not because he wanted to collect our nation's birth certificate, but he took it on tour. Norman Lear took his copy of the Declaration all around the country, stopping in major cities to show people who had never seen it, and might not get the chance, what it looked like. Norman Lear founded the PFAW (People for the American Way). This organization works to educate and change how people view small changes in America, such as election reform, immigration reform, and the same ideals. He also founded the EMA, whose goal was to educate people people about the environment by films and television.
In my opinion, his greatest addition to helping people overcome media stereotypes, are his contributions in the field of philanthropy. He created the Norman Lear foundation, which is a private foundation, its goal is merely to support other reforming non-profit organizations. This, to me shows that he cares about the way the American life can be, rather than the continual media stereotypes. This sort of theme is often recurring in his films and shows that were made in an age that didn't agree all that well with non-traditional ideas.
http://www.normanlear.com/
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