February 11, 2010

Mohawk in Stephanie and the Crime Wave

In the Stephanie and the Crime Wave episode of All in the Family (airdate: 1/28/79), Archie is barefoot because he can't find his socks. Edith says they'll turn up. The following exchange ensues:EDITH:  Now, come on. Sit down and eat your breakfast.

ARCHIE:  In bare feet? In bare feet, Edith?

ARCHIE:  This is a home in Queens. It ain't a wigwam on the Mohawk reservation.
Comment:  Archie has made a few other references to Indians. I like this one because it's a perfect example of what people like him think about Indians. namely, that they're savages living a primitive lifestyle on some remote reservation.

In reality, I believe a lot of Mohawks moved to New York City. To be construction workers and so forth. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more Mohawks in the city than on the reservation. But you won't hear anything like that in shows like this.

By the way, this is one of my favorite All in the Family episodes. It may be my favorite. Like other favorites, I watch it every couple years.

For more on the subject, see Archie Bunker on Indians and TV Shows Featuring Indians.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I hate racism but figured out Archie Bunker was showing us what many sounded like and how stupid they sound with ugly ignorant remarks. In this day and age of ugly, I could not watch it as I hear it now more than ever. What in God's holy name has happened to people?