Racism In The Television Series 'Mad Men'

The television series’ Mad Men takes place in New York City in the early 1960’s. Mad Men follows the life of egotistical men that would do almost anything to be the best of the best. It was during an era where smoking is natural and where segregation defines African-Americans as ‘the help.’ Sexism and Employee mistreatment played a very major role in the TV series. Employee mistreatment was a norm of the 1960s. The opening scene of season one demonstrates how black people were seen at that time. Don Draper inquires a black busboy why he chooses to smoke Old Gold cigarettes, but a white bartender ask if he was bothering Mr. Draper. This demonstrates the authentic yet cynical attitude of Mad Men and how the show highlights racism in the 1960s.