AMC series Mad Men continues to exhibit clumsiness with racial and ethnic depictions. Is it rooted in trying too hard to make minorities “invisible” for historical accuracy—or are the program’s creators simply culturally clueless themselves? Everything seems so forced and staged.
At the office, a Black woman served coffee to staffers. Although she was placed in the foreground, she never made eye contact with the characters, staring intently at the floor while pouring joe. Even copywriter Paul Kinsey—who’s got a Black girlfriend—wouldn’t acknowledge the vendor, except to place his order.
Mad Men attempts to bring depth to topics like sexism and religion, albeit in exaggerated fashion. This week’s episode also furthered generational differences with Sterling Cooper’s young turks team. And is art director Salvatore Romano about to introduce a gay subplot? Overall, the program’s creators closely examine subjects where they can relate or have personal insight. But rarely in the racial and ethnic categories.
It makes you wonder about the diversity of the AMC creative team.
3 comments:
I noticed the same thing myself. I really wish the secret Don was trying to hide last season was that he was Bi-racial. That would have added so much more to this show. But overall this season has not lived up to the standard set by last season.
About to introduce a gay subplot? Have you been watching? That character's been way gay since day one.
I'm pretty sure the guy with the Black girlfriend was being portrayed as slumming, not actually racially sensitive.
But also, hey, the ad industry? 1961-63? Would there have been a bunch of ethnic people? There wouldn't even have been Jews.
Yes, it’s been apparent that Romano is gay; however, the show has not really pushed the possibilities.
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