Post by account_disabled on Mar 4, 2024 3:08:15 GMT -5
Although most knew her as an enthusiastic comedian, she was serious about condemning racism and homophobia. On her talk show she not only defended civil rights, she advocated for marriage equality. What is the legacy that Betty White leaves us? We tell you
According to the Business Insider portal, the television icon died at the age of 99 on December 31, shortly before his 100th birthday. To millions, she was " America's Sweetheart " best known for her iconic television roles on "Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Younger generations knew her for her vivacious personality and her sarcastic humor which solidified her place in pop culture . But there was another side to White, one that was committed to justice and social equality.
In the 1950s and 1960s, White championed diversity and inclusion issues, a brave and controversial act at the time. During one of his television programs in 1954, he took a public stance against racism ; opposing complaints about having a black artist on his show. She championed LGBTQ rights over the years, starring alongside queer characters in "The Golden Girls," and then speaking out in favor of marriage equality in 2014 .
As if that weren't enough, in 2018, White supported disability rights as a lead donor to Guide Dogs for the Blind, and also starred in several public service announcements for AARP , an organization that supports older Americans. The actress and comedian understood how to use her platform beyond entertainment, increasing the visibility of marginalized communities. They were part of her legacy.
Betty White understood the power of television to shape American culture and used it to illuminate issues and people who were misunderstood or vilified.
Ruben Gonzales, executive director of the LGBTQ Victory Institute.
A strong public stance against racism
Betty White had a daily television show on NBC. One of the performers who appeared on her show was Arthur Duncan , a black tap dancer, The Washington Post reported .
All over the South, there was all this commotion,” White recounted in a 2018 documentary “Betty White: First Lady of Television.” «They were going to take our show off the air if we didn't get rid of Arthur, because he was Black .
But Betty White did not give in to racism.
I'm sorry, but he's staying.
Live with it.
In the documentary, Duncan credited his appearance on White's show as launching his career. As a result, the show was canceled several months after Duncan's appearance, civil rights activists said.
"Her willingness to defend Arthur Duncan and his program reflects the type of woman she was from the beginning," said Andrew Stoner, author of the 2012 biography "Betty White," which will be updated to reflect the last nine years of her life and It is scheduled to be republished later this month.
Betty White: pioneer of queer rights
With " The Golden Girls ," White starred in a show that tackled the stigma and misinformation surrounding HIV and AIDS amid the epidemic, which skyrocketed in the 1980s. She also starred alongside gay and lesbian characters in the show at a time when depicting queer people on television was taboo.
It was bold, just like her early support of LGBTQ equality, and it fueled many LGBTQ people's love for both Betty and her iconic characters.
Ruben Gonzales
White also wasn't afraid to talk about marriage equality in interviews and public events. In a 2014 " Larry King Live " interview, White said he didn't understand people's qualms about marriage equality and gay rights. "I don't understand. "It's such a personal, private matter, and none of my own."
In 2013, White spoke in support of marriage equality at an awards ceremony hosted by GLAAD, a leading queer rights nonprofit.
«'Listen, I'm 91 years old... I've been around the block, okay. I've seen a lot of things and done one or two and I know a few things. Not a lot, but some,” she said. "I just want to tell all the critical people: if two people in love want to get married, let them get married!"
White was extremely aware of how people perceived her in her old age and used it to push society forward on civil rights issues, according to Stoner.
"I think Betty White understood that as someone of her generation, with every sentence delivered with a dimpled smile, she could break through on LGBTQ equality and other issues in a way that others couldn't," he said.
According to the Business Insider portal, the television icon died at the age of 99 on December 31, shortly before his 100th birthday. To millions, she was " America's Sweetheart " best known for her iconic television roles on "Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Younger generations knew her for her vivacious personality and her sarcastic humor which solidified her place in pop culture . But there was another side to White, one that was committed to justice and social equality.
In the 1950s and 1960s, White championed diversity and inclusion issues, a brave and controversial act at the time. During one of his television programs in 1954, he took a public stance against racism ; opposing complaints about having a black artist on his show. She championed LGBTQ rights over the years, starring alongside queer characters in "The Golden Girls," and then speaking out in favor of marriage equality in 2014 .
As if that weren't enough, in 2018, White supported disability rights as a lead donor to Guide Dogs for the Blind, and also starred in several public service announcements for AARP , an organization that supports older Americans. The actress and comedian understood how to use her platform beyond entertainment, increasing the visibility of marginalized communities. They were part of her legacy.
Betty White understood the power of television to shape American culture and used it to illuminate issues and people who were misunderstood or vilified.
Ruben Gonzales, executive director of the LGBTQ Victory Institute.
A strong public stance against racism
Betty White had a daily television show on NBC. One of the performers who appeared on her show was Arthur Duncan , a black tap dancer, The Washington Post reported .
All over the South, there was all this commotion,” White recounted in a 2018 documentary “Betty White: First Lady of Television.” «They were going to take our show off the air if we didn't get rid of Arthur, because he was Black .
But Betty White did not give in to racism.
I'm sorry, but he's staying.
Live with it.
In the documentary, Duncan credited his appearance on White's show as launching his career. As a result, the show was canceled several months after Duncan's appearance, civil rights activists said.
"Her willingness to defend Arthur Duncan and his program reflects the type of woman she was from the beginning," said Andrew Stoner, author of the 2012 biography "Betty White," which will be updated to reflect the last nine years of her life and It is scheduled to be republished later this month.
Betty White: pioneer of queer rights
With " The Golden Girls ," White starred in a show that tackled the stigma and misinformation surrounding HIV and AIDS amid the epidemic, which skyrocketed in the 1980s. She also starred alongside gay and lesbian characters in the show at a time when depicting queer people on television was taboo.
It was bold, just like her early support of LGBTQ equality, and it fueled many LGBTQ people's love for both Betty and her iconic characters.
Ruben Gonzales
White also wasn't afraid to talk about marriage equality in interviews and public events. In a 2014 " Larry King Live " interview, White said he didn't understand people's qualms about marriage equality and gay rights. "I don't understand. "It's such a personal, private matter, and none of my own."
In 2013, White spoke in support of marriage equality at an awards ceremony hosted by GLAAD, a leading queer rights nonprofit.
«'Listen, I'm 91 years old... I've been around the block, okay. I've seen a lot of things and done one or two and I know a few things. Not a lot, but some,” she said. "I just want to tell all the critical people: if two people in love want to get married, let them get married!"
White was extremely aware of how people perceived her in her old age and used it to push society forward on civil rights issues, according to Stoner.
"I think Betty White understood that as someone of her generation, with every sentence delivered with a dimpled smile, she could break through on LGBTQ equality and other issues in a way that others couldn't," he said.