Sherman Helmsley's passing is trending on Twitter with positive comments..is this surprising?

[Dejele]

Despite playing one of the most bigoted characters in TV history,George Jefferson, everyone thinks highly of him. People are able to separate the man from the character.

Why do you think the same people might indict all black people on the negative actions of a few?

[Dejele]

he as a person didn't feel that way-just like the old guy from All in the Family wasn't really racist.

[purringocean849]

NOOO!!!!!!!!!!! George Jefferson was my hero growing up! I used to stay up late just to watch The Jeffersons on Nick at Nite! I still like to watch the opening song/credits on Youtube sometimes, that was a great show. :'(

R.I.P Sherman Helmsley, you will be missed.

[Woody Jo]

I did some research and the cast actually used words like "N-i-g-g-e-r" and "H-o-n-k-e-y." I am shocked that the network aired this show.

[Julian]

That was just a character he played , not the real person.

[â‚®y]

I hardly remember that show. But i find it weird that
so many famous black people are passing this year :/

[OGUN]

I doesn't surprise me because for most part it wasn't what he said or did but how his character said and did the things he did. His brash, orneriness was very comical. He reminded us of that one relative we have that despite their cantankerous nature they make us laugh. Also in the black sitcom genre The Jeffersons represented the first wave of successful post Civil Rights African Americans. If you remember Good Times' last episode anyone through their successes succeeded to lift themselves out of the house projects (Cabrini Green) which represented the not just poverty but social disenfranchisement. Good Times basically passed the torch to The Jeffersons in the continuing saga of the progress of African Americans in America. Basically the theme song for The Jeffersons (sung by Jan'et Dubois one a the main characters on Good Times) says all you need to know about the show.

"Well we're movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie."

etc...

In fact in one of the episodes in the final season of Good Times Michael was sitting on the sofa reading an Ebony magazine with the Jeffersons on the cover. Plug for Ebony magazine and a plug for CBS' newest black sitcom.

Stereotyping all people based upon the negative actions of a few is pretty common place for many people now days. Why do they do this? Perhaps they are looking to cling to any scrap of evidence to justify their unfounded unreasonable opinions of others. Truth is these people have a problem. However unless these feeling or sentiments of bias manifest themselves into actions I personally don't have time nor do I give my energy to powerless, groveling bigots who are just looking to blame someone else for their inability to achieve the level of success they clamor for. Typically these are signed of a classic underachiever looking to blame everyone else for their failure when they have all resources and tools for success.