Mad Men, the critically acclaimed drama series set in the 1960s, is known for its meticulous portrayal of the era’s advertising world, from social dynamics to fashion. However, one aspect that has sparked debate is its treatment of race. While the show reflects the racial segregation of the time, it is often criticized for the minimal visibility of African-American characters.
The show’s creator, Matthew Weiner, has always been known for his meticulous attention to detail, carefully recreating the 1960s era. However, when it comes to the show’s portrayal of race, Weiner candidly defended his approach and revealed the truth behind the limited visibility of African Americans on Madison Avenue.
Mad Men creator, Matthew Weiner addressed the reason behind the show’s treatment of race
In a 2014 interview with Time, Matthew Weiner explained his choice to reflect the harsh racial realities of the 1960s. He emphasized that the absence of African American characters in significant roles wasn’t an oversight but a deliberate choice to mirror the segregation of the era. He noted characters like Don Draper and his colleagues were largely “insulated” from the civil rights movement, making their world predominantly white. They were certainly unaware of the struggles faced by people of color.
There are Black agencies and there are obviously so many African-Americans in New York City. But I really chose to not lie about the interaction that these characters are having with different kinds of people.
Weiner pointed out that “They live in New York–New York is not an integrated place despite people’s fantasies. The schools in California are not integrated until 1972…”, referencing the stark racial segregation that still marked much of the city during the 1960s. He further clarified that the show’s lack of representation was not a failure to address racism, but rather an attempt to showcase how race, though pervasive in American life, was often ignored or misunderstood by the white majority.
The lack of African American characters and their interactions with the main cast serves as a form of social commentary on the era. I’m not telling the story of the civil rights movement, Weiner said, “I’m telling a story of the mass culture and their experience of the civil rights movement.” This perspective provides a nuanced look at how white Americans interacted with the civil rights issues of the time, often learning about them through television rather than personal experience.
Weiner’s choice to present the segregation of the time as accurately as possible has sparked debates among viewers. While some praise the show for its authenticity, others argue that Mad Men missed an opportunity to deeply explore the experiences of African Americans during the 1960s.
Mad Men fans reacted to the racial backlash the show faced
Reddit users had mixed reactions to the show’s handling of race. One user expressed admiration for the show’s honesty but criticized the unrealistic empathy of certain characters, like Pete, towards racism. Another commented that while the show accurately portrayed race relations for its time, it wasn’t the primary focus, acknowledging that Mad Men wasn’t meant to be a show about race.
POC who love Mad Men: How does it make you feel?
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Others appreciated the depiction of racism as a casual, pervasive part of life, seeing it as a realistic portrayal of how white people in the 1960s, and even today, often approach race. Despite the critiques, many viewers, particularly people of color, found the show’s honest portrayal of history compelling.
Ultimately, Weiner’s commitment to historical accuracy, even at the expense of uncomfortable truths, left viewers reconsidering how they engage with race in media. Do you think this choice made the show more impactful, or did it risk the historical accuracy it portrayed?
Mad Men is available to stream on Prime Video.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
