Shortly afterwards there were spin-off shows in which people of colour could 'be themselves': that is, interact at home, screw up, have family arguments and show the people being portrayed as human beings, just like the viewer. The shows weren't perfect, but they were exceptionally educational in a social sense.

Think back to Tracy, Hepburn and Poitier: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." That movie forced people who saw it to question their feelings about 'inter-racial' marriage. It opened discussion. And that was important, too.

Media can change the world--for good or bad.