Good television, not reality TV, tackles tough social issues

Perhaps the dynamic of America’s vast interconnected framework is most apparent when a… Perhaps the dynamic of America’s vast interconnected framework is most apparent when a delicate social issue arises. When politicians dance around an issue, that’s usually a good sign that the country is either undecided about the topic at hand or that the country is decided but equally split.

Sometimes it takes a third player to clear the muddy waters and try to bring a touchy subject into the limelight without creating dangerous controversy in the process. Enter television — the medium that nearly every American views and reflects upon (well, hopefully). Often in American history, when a divisive issue has frozen the country, television has been able to crack the ice and moderate a volatile issue.

Take gay marriage, for instance. Many political experts claim that this wedge issue made the red states redder and the blue states bluer. Regardless of the political implications, gay marriage is a touchy subject for most Americans. Luckily, television has been able to buffer the edges of the prickly topic.

A recent episode of “The Simpsons” comically and effectively made light of the controversy surrounding that issue, providing insight that many Americans may not have previously considered. Marge’s sister Patty came out as a lesbian, flustering Marge and forcing her to address this revelation.

Though the series is a comedy at heart, societal reflections such as this provide moderate America with a serious look at such hotly debated issues. A comedic show with such a broad range of appeal may make people reconsider previously held positions.

Of course, the war in Iraq has been among the most picked-apart issues of recent times. With so much confusion and fear surrounding the war, television was able to provide some moderate ground.

Comedy Central’s “South Park” cleverly displayed both sides of the war several years ago with a look into the life of a child in the Middle East. The show accounted for the savage treatment of people in the area, but also raised valid points against the war. Despite “South Park”‘s shamelessly juvenile reputation, the series was able to find a thought-provoking middle ground.

“South Park” also spoofed the 2004 presidential election, a time when the nation was sorely divided over the two partisan candidates. The show’s feature of a school mascot election between a “Turd Sandwich” and a “Giant Douche Bag” was a thinly veiled parody of the two presidential candidates, adding a laughable touch that humbled views of both candidates.

While these are only recent examples, television has done much of the same in the past. During the years following the Civil Rights movement, series such as “All In the Family” and “The Jeffersons” provided many Americans a much-needed look at the lives of black people. The feminist movement of the 1970s and its resistance found middle ground in “Charlie’s Angels.” While the women of the show were undoubtedly cast for their gorgeous looks, the notion of women in such power as crime fighting agents was a result of the women’s empowerment movement.

As dry and empty as television can be at times (i.e., reality TV), the medium can provide a refreshing, moderate ground during splintered times. Sometimes it takes the help of television to calm broader storms.