I saw a rerun of an early "24" episode the other day, with Dennis Haysbert as the President - a fine actor with a great screen presence. I realized how much of an effect that show has had on the general populace's acceptance of the idea of a black President. I realize that many of you are/were not enamored with "24" because of the torture, and arguably right-wing drift, but that makes it all the better for my larger point. The show has been hugely popular with a wide demographic, especially white men of the "Joe Lunchbox" flavor. And they thought President David Palmer was totally kick-ass and a great leader. Think about that. Television and movies can have a powerful impact on how we perceive race, gender, sexual orientation and other prejudice-producing differences between all of us.
And, after David Palmer actually is killed in later seasons, the new president is his brother Wayne, another black President.
So, Obama should grease somebody's palm and get those reruns going in earnest.
~ tom
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