Revolution Televised.pdf

122 Respect Yourself!
races.” She returns to work because her catalyst to quit was personal
outrage, not political or community consciousness. Julia remains
isolated from a black community, which is reflected in her level of
consciousness.
This is further illustrated in an episode from the second season.
In “The Doctor’s Dilemma” (February 17, 1969), Julia confronts
the notions of black separatism. This is perhaps the most insidious
of all of the episodes discussed here, because it not only exonerates
white Americans from the contemporary problems of race but also
turns blame on African Americans for societal divisions. Julia asks
a black woman, Mrs. Deering, to baby-sit Corey while she is at
work. Julia discovers that Mrs. Deering refuses to let Corey play
with Earl and instead brings along young relatives to keep Corey
company. When confronted by Julia, she admits to keeping Corey
in to play with the other black children, as the only friend he seems
to have is Earl, who “don’t even look high yeller.” Julia defends her
position:
julia: Corey and Earl both have other friends—black, yellow, red
and white—and that I am thankful of. They share friendships
with all children—to know each other. Is there anything wrong
with that? Certainly not!
deering: Maybe. But there’s so many people trying to drive folks
apart. We got to be careful.
julia: Being careful is one thing—over protective, another. Mothers
can’t suffocate their children Mrs. Deering, not in today’s changing
world.
deering: Changing too fast for me!
julia: It was too long coming. And I want my son to have every
opportunity I had to stand up and fight for—but some people
were afraid to even dream of.
(Stage directions: As the words sink in, Mrs. Deering’s awakening
is expressed by a wide-eyed, smiling admiration.) 18
deering: Lo-o-r-rd-dee!
Julia is presented as someone who has reaped the benefits of integration
and simply wants to provide her child with the best the
integrated world can offer, while Mrs. Deering questions the overall
embrace of integration.
The 1965–66 academic year at Howard University exemplifies the
extent to which integration was questioned. As an academic institu-