Just Looking ...

I recently came across a book by David Zurawik called "The Jews of Prime Time" and it caught my eye. Basically, in his book, Zurawak discusses the fact that in the past the largest television networks were run by Jewish men, and most television shows were written by jewish writers, yet there were VERY few Jewish elements or characters present in television. Jewish men founded CBS, NBC and ABC and ran the broadcasting companies from the 40's until the 80's when they were all sold. The thing that i found interesting about this book was that it wasn't until after the networks were being run by Jews that they began appearing plentifully in television. The funny thing about this is that the former jews who ran these networks seemed to be afraid to present Jewish culture in television. Zurawik argues that they were fearful, in the "post-Holocaust, pro-assimilation, red-baiting 1950s, that their shows not appear too Jewish". This anti-Jewish television seemed to last quite a while that in the 80's they were still only minimally including Jewish characters, and if they did they were simply only including characters with Jewish names, not their culture.

The fact that post-Jewish ownership Jewish culture became common in television shows the fact that the stereotypes made the Jews too hesitant to include their culture.

I think it is a real shame that stereotypes and anti-semitism and hatred/intollerance could play such a role in people's lives that even in one's own work they are afraid to express themselves to the fullest.


Have a great summer everyone!