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Melissa Gilbert Defends 'Woke' Little House
10 Jul
Summary
- Melissa Gilbert states original Little House was 'woke' before the term existed.
- The 1977 episode 'The Wisdom of Solomon' tackled racism with a Black child actor.
- Gilbert believes 'woke' means compassion for all, a positive attribute.
Melissa Gilbert, who starred in the original "Little House on the Prairie," has responded to conservative YouTuber Megyn Kelly's criticism of a new Netflix adaptation, calling it "woke." Gilbert asserted that the original series, which aired from 1974 to 1983, was "woke" long before the term became politically charged.
Gilbert pointed to the 1977 episode "The Wisdom of Solomon" as an example of the show's progressive themes. This episode featured Todd Bridges as Solomon Henry, a young Black boy who faces racism and theft due to his circumstances. The Ingalls family shows him kindness, and he temporarily joins their household and school.
The original "Little House on the Prairie" frequently addressed difficult topics such as racism, drug addiction, antisemitism, and child abuse. Gilbert believes these episodes covered relevant societal issues that persist today.
Gilbert reunited with Bridges in 2023 on her podcast, reflecting on the impact of "The Wisdom of Solomon." Bridges recalled working on the episode, noting its enduring values and its commentary on racism.
