All language subtitles for family_matters_s02e20_fight_the_good_fight

Screwdriver. Screwdriver.

Flyers. Flyers.

Lollipop.

Okay, Richie, we're finished.

Now let's see how our patient is doing.

It's a rare condition this day and age
to read any good news on the newspaper

page. The love and tradition of the
grand design, some people say, is even

harder to find.

Well, there must be some magic clue
inside these gentle walls.

Because all I see is a tower of dreams,
real love bursting out of every scene.

Girl, you've had your head in those
books all morning.

Got a big test coming up?

No, this is Black History Month.

Did you know that an African -American
helped design the blueprint for

Washington, D .C.? Yep.

Benjamin Banneker.

Hey, not bad.

Hey, your old man has read a book or
two.

Now, for the championship and the
toaster oven, who made the first

-soling machine?

Uh, uh, uh... Girls!

Grandma.

It was Jan Maslinger.

In 1883.

Hey, that's right. How'd you know that?

Who do you think bought his first pair
of shoes?

Hey, look.

Here's something I didn't know.

Alexander Dumas was black.

The guy that wrote The Three Musketeers?

Yeah. Most people don't know that.

Why? Don't they teach black history at
your school?

Yeah, but only for one month.

That's one month longer than they taught
it to me.

You know, that really bugs me.

for over 300 years.

But you wouldn't know it looking at
those history books. It's not fair.

Well, sweetheart, if you feel that
strongly, maybe you should do something

it.

Maybe I will.

Okay.

Now, let's give this baby another shot.

Shikashi ame ga fureba, saku ga mizu o
iru.

I have to go through this every day.

Well, Miss Thuman, it's a well -known
fact that a pleasant dining environment

aids digestion.

Try it. It may brighten your complexion,
which, truth be told, is a smidge on

the fallow side.

Um,

listen, everybody.

Um, I have an idea that I want to run by
you. Oh, oh, oh. Is this the idea I

heard you telling Maxine this morning as
I trailed behind you? in mutually

agreed -upon distance of 20 feet?

Yeah.

Um, now, what I want... Because it's a
humdinger of an idea, but you tell it,

little girl, darling.

Thank you.

Um, now, as I was trying to say, every
February, we study black history, but

only during that month. Oh, I love this
part.

Now, I'm not trying to criticize you,
Mr., when you're a great history

You know, I always try to make...
Please, don't interrupt. It's very rude.

So, anyway, I thought, why not add a
black history class to the curriculum?

way, we can study it all year long.

Is that a great idea?

Oh, it's a pearl of wisdom from my
little oyster.

This is terrific, Laura. Let me be the
first to sign.

Well, I'll be the second to sign as soon
as Miss Grabbypin finishes.

again.

As long as you don't bang me in, it's
fine.

Hey, let me show you a few moves.

Ooh, don't mess with me. Don't mess with
me.

Hey, check it out, man.

Okay, guys.

Showtime's over. I have vital
information to share with you. Urkel, I

thousand times I refuse to take poker
lessons.

history class here at school.

It'll help us appreciate the past,
thereby contributing to the present and

preparing us for the future. So I like
all your John Hancocks right here.

Sounds good to me.

Oh, thanks a lot, guys. That was easy.

Don't speak.

Toot -toot -toot! Thanks!

Oh, ma!

Look at all the signatures I got.

Oh, good work. I got a bunch, too.

Oh, well, I got most of the basketball
team.

Did I do that?

Uh, Steve, no more demonstrations, okay?

Good idea.

But I appreciate all your help.

Oh, anytime, my cute little crusader.

I appreciate that.

Hey, my lock is open.

Oh, my God.

Laura, what's wrong?

If you want black history, go back to
Africa.

She's still pretty upset.

She didn't touch her dinner.

Well, Harriet, what are those people
teaching down at that school?

Their own version of the three R's?
Reading, writing, and racism?

Carl, calm down. It's not the school's
fault.

Well, is she still crying?

Every time she stops, she starts all
over again.

Carl.

Harriet, I just feel so helpless.

My daughter's been hurt, and I can't do
a thing about it. I can't even tell her

that it won't ever happen again.

You know, I was exposed to this sort of
thing when I was growing up.

But I always hoped it would be different
for my kids.

Come on, Harriet.

The people that did this to us are
teaching that same garbage to their

Carl, I'm up in Laura's room, and she
looks at me.

And she asks, why, Mom?

Why would somebody do this to me?

And I hear myself telling the same
things my mother told me.

Some people are ignorant.

They're afraid.

They hate anybody and anything that's
different.

And what she said?

She looked at me with tears in her eyes.

And she said,

Why, Mom?

Laura? What happened?

Daddy, everything's a mess.

Laura, did somebody do something to you?

No, it's the whole school. The black
kids won't talk to the white kids.

are calling each other names, taking
sides.

And it's all my fault. Your fault?

If I had started that petition, none of
this would have happened.

I just wanted to make things better, but
I ended up making them worse.

Honey, that's not true. None of this is
your fault. That's right. That petition

was a great idea.

It wasn't.

Wish I had never done it.

I just wish it would all go away, Daddy.

Would you two excuse us?

I'd like to speak to my granddaughter
alone.

But, Mom... Scoot, honey, scoot.

Laura, do you mind if your old
grandmother tells you a story?

Grandma, you're not old.

Good answer.

No wonder you're my favorite grandchild.

Sit down, Helen.

Lord, when I was about your age, I loved
to read, just like you.

But our little town only had one
library, and it was for whites only.

You couldn't check...

I couldn't even go in.

And even then, I knew it wasn't right.

So one day, I decided to do something
about it. So I walked in the library.

Sugar, I couldn't believe my eyes.

There were thousands of books just
sitting there waiting to be read.

Did they let you take one?

The librarian, a white man that I had
known all my life.

Pushed me out into the street and told
me never to come back.

Did you cry?

All the way home.

And the next day I cried all the way
back to the library.

You went back?

Every day for six months.

People stopped and stared.

Called me names.

And some even spit at me.

Yes. Was I ever.

And sometimes I was sorry I ever started
the whole thing.

But I didn't quit.

Finally, one rainy day, I walked in
dripping

wet.

And that same man that pushed me out.

shook his head, and gave me a library
card.

Wow.

And from that day on, everybody used
that library.

Sugar, I realize you're having a hard
time.

But you've got to stand up for whatever
you believe in, or things will never

change.

This library card is proof that one
person

can make a difference.

You understand?

Come here. Let me give you some sugar.

Love it.

and black men and women. We've got so
many posters, we're running out of

Dr. George F. Grant patented the first
wooden golf tee in 1899.

Now, gee, that's ironic.

Here it is 92 years later, and we still
can't tee off at some country clubs.

All done.

Wow. It looks great.

It sure does.

I'll get it.

Steve, I couldn't have done this without
you.

Oh, please, Laura, you're making me
blush.

You know, I just don't get why people
are so afraid of our history.

Well, because it's different.

And believe you me, I know what being
different is all about.

Well, I admire you for that.

Oh, for sure, you're making me blush
again.

Oh, Laura, this looks great. You've done
a wonderful job. Wonderful job.

Is there a problem,

Principal Shimada? Yes, a big one.

Mr. Shimada, if you would just let me
explain. Those posters, highly

inflammatory. We have a serious
situation at this school.

Racial tension.

These posters can only fan the flames.

As principal of this school, I will not
allow my flames to be fanned.

Well, easy, Edgar. Don't get your shorts
in a knot.

These posters must be removed
immediately.

Oh. Oh.

Oh. Oh.

Oh. Oh.

Oh. Oh. Oh.

Oh.

Oh. Oh.

Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh.

Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh.

I didn't know there were so many black
inventors. Me neither.

Dr. Daniel Hill Williams performed the
first open -heart surgery?

I thought it was Christian Bernard.

No, he did the first heart transplant.

Mr. Shimada, the posters seem to be
bringing the kids together.

Just as I predicted.

Mr. Shimada.

textbooks for a black history course?
Oh, well, I don't know.

Edgar, a black history course would only
serve to enhance your otherwise drab

and predictable curriculum.

And it would undoubtedly prevent the
unfortunate rabble -rousy that has taken

place in these hallowed halls the past
few days.

Mr. Shimada, I've spoken to several
teachers, and we would all welcome the

opportunity to present a more balanced
view of American history.

Way to go, Scooby -Doo!

Laura, there is a school committee
meeting next month.

Maybe you could come and recommend that
a black history class be made part of

the curriculum.

I'll be there.

Thank you, Steve.

This operation was a success.

Yeah, does it give me old Winslow one
-two punts?

Well, I hate to brag, but I knocked him
dead.

I think we have a good chance of getting
a black history class.

That's my girl.

Grandma. Yes, honey?

You were right. One person can make a
difference.

Oh, sweetheart.

Or the merrier. Holiday whoopee whatty.
With 25 days of animated classics.

I'm much. Holiday blockbusters.

So present.

Happy Christmas, Harry.

And world premieres of two ABC Family
original holiday movies.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

The 25 Days of Christmas.

December 1st.