American TV: The Changing Identity of Black Americans, 1940 to Present

In honor of Black History Month, this two-part seminar explores the evolution of Black American identity on television over the past 80 years. The stereotypical Jim Crow portrayals of the 1940s-1960s gave way to the groundbreaking shift of the 1970s, when shows like “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons” began to address Black American identity in new, more complex ways. By the 1980s and beyond, Black Americans were increasingly depicted as equals in TV comedies, dramas and commercials, with Denzel Washington’s role as a surgical resident in “Saint Elsewhere” standing as a significant example. This seminar will take you on a journey through television history, analyzing how portrayals of Black Americans have evolved and reflect broader societal changes.

Murray Norcross, M.D., M.P.H., is a 30-year career U.S. Navy medical officer and family physician who has served in the Cold War, Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terror. An eyewitness to many historic events of the past 30 years, Murray served two staff tours in Washington, D.C., deployed in support of several Joint Task Forces, and was stationed overseas for six years, split between Bahrain and Japan. Murray holds master’s degrees in international relations, public health and health care administration. He is an avid photographer, writer, researcher, artist and lifelong learner.