The complex racial history of the Little Rascals
If you only know the squeaky clean story of the Little Rascals, check in with Dr. Julia Lee.
Listen14:52
For generations of kids and nostalgic adults, The Little Rascals are little more than a group of black and white kids who get up to adorable shenanigans.
But Dr. Julia Lee, a longtime fan of the show, decided to take a closer look.
The image of interracial friendship, especially in Jim Crow era America, stood out in a largely segregated television landscape. She joins Shad to discuss some of the complexities that turned up, as chronicled in her new book Our Gang: A Racial History of The Little Rascals.
WEB EXTRA | Want a feel for the original series? Watch a selection below.
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