--- In [email protected], "shempmcgurk" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>
> --- In [email protected], new_morning_blank_slate
> <no_reply@> wrote:
> >
> > --- In [email protected], MDixon6569@ wrote:
> > >
> > > 
> > > In a message dated 5/26/06 1:37:56 P.M. Central Daylight Time, 
> > > shempmcgurk@ writes:
> > >
> > > I've  often found the opposite from that era.  Yes, minorities
> would
> > > play  maids but they were far from dumb.  Often they would be
> the 
> > > wise-cracking character who knew and expressed the truth about
> a 
> > > situation.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > As I recall the maids and servants usually put the boss in 
> their place.
> >
> > who specifically?
> >
>
> Rochester always seemed to have Jack Benny's number...

Good one.

Though no one would have referred to Rochester as a rocket scientist.
And clearly not all blacks are literally rocket scientists. Or whites.
The troublesome issue is that in the 50's and 60's blacks roles were
almost only servant or bumbling, though perhaps quick tongued, helper
roles. Neither a true reflection of society even then  -- a quite
aparatheid america.

And wasn't the inside joke that made Rochester funny (and he was) --
sort of becasue "even the dumb black lowly negro servant is dissing
Jack. Poor Jack." Jack's travails in the world were what was funny in
the show, and various dis's of Jack were part of that. The greater
contrast -- or lower the dis -- the funnier. In that day, what was
lower or more insulting than being insulted by a (in the role)
uneducated, negro servant.

Rochester was never portrayed or intended to be Jack's equal.






To subscribe, send a message to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Or go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/
and click 'Join This Group!'




SPONSORED LINKS
Religion and spirituality Maharishi mahesh yogi


YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS




Reply via email to