Pop culture has the power to change hearts and minds. Norman Lear took that power seriously, though he often used humor to personalize the political. "All in the Family" broke ground in the 1970s, exploring issues of race, gender, war, poverty, and what it means to be American.
ALT Black and white photo of five adults next to a museum display case, clustered closely together and smiling. They are Jean Stapleton, Smithsonian Secretary S. Dillon Ripley, Norman Lear, Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner as they peer into the case where the chairs are displayed.