Jean Stapleton, Edith Bunker on 'All in the Family,' dies

[bigrun]

She died last friday at age 90...saw this piece at another site..great story.

JEAN STAPLETON, who played Edith Bunker on the revolutionary TV show, ALL IN THE FAMILY, has passed away at the age of 90. It might be hard for those not old enough to properly contextualize that show, but it was a REALLY BIG deal when it first appeared in 1971. Issues never before discussed on tv, many not even being discussed in American homes were part and parcel of the show's storylines. Racism, bigotry in general, politics, drugs, etc., and perhaps most famously, rape were no longer out-of-bounds for primetime tv. Back then the number of unreported rapes completely dwarfed those reported. A woman knew if she reported a rape, it would be her on trial as much as the perp. Her character, activities, beliefs, and whatever else, was all up for grabs as a way to discredit, and even blame the victim. It was a horror show, alright. Women who had already had their lives altered in the worst possible way were further victimized by the trial - which were often public humiliations, and accusations of "not having tried hard enough to get away", or blame for "enticing" the rapist. You know the song.

The episode in which Edith barely escaped a rapist literally changed the national conversation on rape overnight. Edith's character was hardly controversial, and she was hardly the stereotypical sexy young single woman (the basic accusation leveled at many rape victims, as they were blamed for the crime) the Defense would try to paint the victim to be. If it could happen to Edith, it could happen to anybody, you, your sister, your mother, and even your grandmother. The aftermath of its airing sparked a new attitude, a new perspective, a new understanding, and inspired countless women, and organizations to stand up for rape victims. MOst of all it sparked a national conversation. Yes, the old attitude is not entirely dead even today, but the great distance we have traveled from then to now can be directly traced back to that show - the beginning of progress in this awful matter.

The people who now run the amazing Rape Center (look them up if you do not know of them, and please support the tremendous work they do) were approached by the show's producer, Norman Lear, who wanted to see what he could contribute to helping change attitudes about rape, and shed some reality and sunshine into the darkness of the subject. Lear came up with the idea of Edith being the victim. Knowing her image in America's eyes was that of a near saint, putting up with Archie, Mike, Gloria, and all else with unintended humor, innocence, and grace, it was a stroke of sheer genius.

Jean Stapleton gave the performance of a lifetime - so powerful that we, as a nation, were shaken and moved. An underrated actress who transcended the little screen more than once, but in this episode she tapped into our national psyche and precipitated a change that has certainly saved many lives, healed many victims, and filled young women everywhere with the courage to speak out, to not be a victim anymore, and we are all immeasurably better off for it.

I have no trouble calling Jean Stapleton, Norman Lear, as well as The Rape Center, heroes of the highest order. If nothing else, Jean takes this with her into the ether, and it is no small thing. RIP Jean Stapleton, and thank you thank you thank you.