Norman Lear and Becoming a Writer with a Voice

I believe that as a child, instead of my mom singing lullabies and rocking me to sleep, I must have been “serenaded” by Norman Lear’s shows while in my crib. His voice is deeply embedded within me. Growing up, I found comfort in the emboldened, unapologetic characters Norman created. They resonated with me.

Norman Lear — a legend, a walking institution — revolutionized the face of TV with Good Times, All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude, and Sanford and Son. His groundbreaking sitcoms of the 1970s unearthed “true to life” issues that were deemed taboo.

Norman’s formidability and provocative storytelling influenced me to not only become a writer, but “a writer with a voice.”

His brazen approach to tackling social and political issues paved the way for writers like myself to valiantly tell contentious stories with levity.

For over four decades, Norman Lear’s prowess as a writer continues to guide, inspire and empower me. Our friendship is the most tangible piece of evidence that I have actually done something “right in my life.”

I can only hope that the trajectory of my career will create a similar path to inspire future writers.