In 1968, the United States (U.S.) faces various events that have political, social, and racial implications: the assassination of the Black civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee and the assassination of U.S. President Robert F. Kennedy, in Los Angeles.
Besides, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, two African American sprinters revealed to the world the real face of the United States. Awarded the gold and bronze medals for their performances during Mexico City's Summer Olympic Games, the two sprinters “bowed their heads and raised clenched fists during the playing of the U.S. national anthem in protest of U.S. racism.”
1968 is also marked by the violent confrontations between Vietnam War protesters and Chicago Mayor’s police force, Richard J. Daley. A member of the Democratic Party, Mayor Richard J. Daley is also known for the controversial attitude he had in response to riots held after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Few miles away from the mainland, Hawaii that also experienced racial tensions between Hawaiians and Whites, called Haole, is about to celebrate its ninth anniversary as a US territory.
Hawaii Five-O episode pilot of the year 1968 is an attempt to portray equality between Whites and Hawaiians. Indeed, the cast includes characters that represent the various ethnic groups present in Hawaii.
Considering the Police Department, symbol of authority, law, and order there four main characters: two Whites (Steve McGarret played by John Joseph Patrick Ryan, alias Jack Lord and Danny “Danno” Williams played by James Gordon MacArthur), and two Hawaiians (Kono Kalakaua played by Gilbert Lani "Zulu" Kauhi and Chin Ho Kelly played by Kam Fong Chun.
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| Detective Steve McGarret |
Out of these four characters, two have a last name referring to nobility: Steve McGarret and Kono Kalakaua. The prefix “Mc” or “Mac” that comes from the Irish and Scotch Gaelic language means “son of”. On the other hand, Kono’s last name can be associated to King Kalakaua, “the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawai’i.”
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| Detective Kono Kalakaua |
Despite all these symbolic efforts to portray equality through the notions of authority and nobility, one scene of the episode questions the degree of equality between Whites and Hawaiians. In the scene, Kono enter’s detective Steve McGarret office and before disclosing the information he came to share asks Steve whether he may help himself with his drink, an unopened bottle of fruit juice. Jack politely replies he can help himself and offers him a plate with two sandwiches. While sharing his information, Kono drinks the juice from the bottle and eats one of the two sandwiches. Then, he puts the almost half empty bottle back on Steve’s desk. Few minutes later, Jack rushes out his office taking with him the bottle Kono put back on the desk and the second sandwich.
If both men, the White and the Hawaiian, share the same food from the same plate it is not the case for the drink. Indeed, Kono is clearly seen opening and drinking from the bottle. On the other hand, Steven takes the bottle but is not seen opening it and drinking from it.
Kono's got cooties (aka germs). Got to watch out for him.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, Esther what you've written is interesting. The food scene did stand out in my mind, however, I did not think about it in this manner. I can see the unfulfilled attempt at equality, but as stated earlier, this was a major time in U.S. history. In this time period, many non-white cultures were portrayed in these same manners because the country was ill-prepared for a diverse cast with stronger signs of equality. Regardless, I do not say this to support/defend the portrayals.
You're right. Besides, I think that it would have been too unrealistic if McGarret had drunk from the bottle. In that time period it would have probably raised more questions about hygiene, the cooties, as you pointed out.
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