Television producer/writer Norman Lear’s shows such as “All in the Family,” “Good Times,” “Sanford and Son,” “The Jeffersons” and “One Day at a Time not only made generations of TV viewers laugh but also made us think about the social climate in the country. But outside show business, Lear is known as a dedicated advocate for free speech and equality. In 1981, he briefly left television to found People for the American Way, a nonprofit that promotes freedom of thought, public education and election and immigration reform.
Now 86, Lear’s latest venture is BornAgainAmerican.org, which continues to register youths to vote, volunteer and/or talk back to their public officials. A key part of the site is a video for “Born Again American,” a song written by Keith Carradine and performed by 16 diverse Americans in front of 14 U.S. landmarks.
And Lear’s company Concord Music Group will release a new documentary and album titled “Playing for Change: Peace Through” this month in Starbucks locations. The DVD and CD feature musicians throughout the world singing a rendition of Ben E. King’s "Stand by Me."
What have you noticed about this generation of young people?
I’ve noticed that they elected the first African-American president. They remind me of dry grass that is just about to catch fire.
What inspired you to create Born Again American?
It goes back to a time in 1979, when we had six shows on television. I replaced myself because I wanted to do a series of PSAs and write a screenplay about religion. I saw danger in the proliferation of TV evangelicals in politics and religion.
I took the TV spots to church leaders, and they endorsed it and encouraged me to make more of them. That was the beginning of People of the American Way. I had no intention of starting an organization. It was just spontaneous combustion.
So, I was telling this story during at talk late last year in Washington, D.C., and I said that was a “born again as an American” moment for me. That got a great reaction from people -- just the expression.
Is using the phrase “born again” irony or an attempt to redefine that phrase?
No, neither. I understand it has a religious context, and that’s perfectly fine. Religion doesn’t belong to the professionals and those at the extremes. An awful lot of people call themselves religious and/or spiritual. We all own the flag, all who read the Bible own it. And the “what’s it all about, Alfie?” discussion belongs to all of us.
On the site, you can sign a pledge agreeing to “recommit to the principles” of the Declaration of Independence. Why the Declaration? Which of its principles have been forgotten?
It represents the essence of what we take pride in being as Americans. I think most Americans are aware that we haven’t delivered on the principal that all men are created equal.
