Norman Lear Monument, Emerson Place, Boston MA
Three of the roles that Norman played in his lifetime are engraved on the lower right of the monument.
side view showing an original script in Norman’s hand
At the time, these characters and the things they did, said and represented, were new and controversial to mainstream America. Humor helped the medicine go down.
All in the Family was Norman’s first breakout hit. The sitcom addressed many of the cultural tensions Americans were dealing with in the 70’s and pushed television into new territory.
Engraved on the left side of the monument is one of the best things Norman has ever said: “I’m just another version of you. The sooner we realize that we’re just versions of one another, the sooner we will come to understand that we are one.”
Engraved on the right side of the monument, is a letter we asked Norman to write to the viewer for this project. (see letter below)
Dear Reader, Ever since I smoked my first cigar, I have felt that if there were no other reason to believe in God, havana leaf would suffice. I’ve had similar epiphanies while biting into a ripe peach or a great ear of corn. And I’ve sensed
Norman Lear at the unveiling event. He was exuberant and joking around with that twinkle in his eye as usual. “I fell in love with Emerson College and with Boston. Both felt absolutely right for me.” - Norman Lear
people reminiscing about the shows they used to watch
young people reading Norman’s letter
a selfie with Norman
Engraved on the bottom are donor and artist credits. An original All in the Family script is in the background.
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