Martha Kaufmann (65), one of the creators of the popular 90s sitcom friends, feels guilty for the fact that the series was too little inclusive and diverse at the time. She has therefore donated almost 4 million euros to Brandeis University, which will benefit African and African-American studies within the faculty. This reports The Los Angeles Times†
“I have learned a lot over the past twenty years. It is not easy to admit and accept guilt. It hurts to look in the mirror and I’m ashamed that I didn’t do better twenty-five years ago,” said Kaufmann, who had just turned 38 when the first episode of friends was broadcast in September 1994.
Although the series was set in New York, a metropolitan city, the cast consisted of six white main characters who barely interacted with people of color. According to Kaufmann, almost all 90s series were mainly ‘white’ but she gained new insights after the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
“It has taken me a long time to understand how much institutional racism is in my system. I have worked very hard to become anti-racist and to be a bridge builder. For me, this donation felt like a way to participate in the conversations we all need to have, and above all, keep having.”
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