Ep 2. Our Miss White

Kevin Arnold and his friends are back for another season of The Wonder Years and this time they are dealing with new challenges, adventures, and experiences that come with growing up. In episode 2 of season 2, titled "Our Miss White," the show explores issues of race, class, and gender in a poignant and thought-provoking episode.

The episode begins with Kevin's class getting a new teacher, Miss White, who is the first black teacher in their school's history. Kevin and his class are initially apprehensive about having a black teacher, but Miss White quickly wins them over with her kindness, intelligence, and enthusiasm for teaching.

As the episode progresses, the audience sees the challenges that Miss White faces as a black teacher in a predominantly white school. She is often subjected to microaggressions from her colleagues and students, such as being mistaken for the school secretary or janitor, and having her credentials questioned.

The students also struggle to understand and empathize with Miss White's experiences as a black woman. Kevin's best friend, Paul, makes racist jokes and dismisses Miss White's concerns about racism as being "sensitive." Meanwhile, Kevin's crush, Winnie, who initially sees Miss White as a role model, becomes disillusioned when Miss White invites her to join a black youth group.

As the episode comes to a close, Kevin and his friends are given a wakeup call when they witness Miss White being racially profiled by a police officer. The experience forces them to confront their own biases and empathize with the experiences of others. In the end, they learn to appreciate Miss White for who she is and the contributions that she makes to their lives.

Overall, "Our Miss White" is a standout episode of The Wonder Years that expertly navigates the complexities of race, class, and gender in a way that is both entertaining and educational. The episode's themes are just as relevant today as they were when the show first aired in the late 1980s and serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion.