Norman Lear on Racial Inequality: ‘It Amazes Me That We Haven’t Moved Faster’
Norman Lear is still doing television at 94 years old, and the “All in the Family” creator remains as politically outspoken as ever.
Asked Saturday to speak about racial inequality in the ’70s — the days of “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times” — when his shows created controversy by tackling social and political issues with a heavy hand versus today, Lear opined: “It amazes me that we haven’t moved faster.”
The current “America Divided” correspondent contrasted the pace of that ongoing issue to the one of LGBTQ progress, which he said, “just moved so quickly over the last 30 years, and is in a place now where we wish the racial situation existed.”
Also Read: Norman Lear's Son Talks About His Doc on Harsh Juvenile Justice System
“America Divided,” which was featured Saturday afternoon at the Epix Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour turn, features narratives around inequality in education, housing, healthcare, labor, criminal justice and the political system — all woven into an eight-story, four-and-half hour series.
Lear was joined on the show’s panel by creator and fellow executive producer Solly Granatstein. Shonda Rhimes and rapper Common are also executive producers on the project.
“America Divided” premieres Friday, Sep. 30 at 9 p.m. on Epix.
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