This is interesting; I honestly had no idea. I join you in the enthusiasm for learning more about Eric Monte's life works.

As for Norman Lear, it's actually possible for everything you said to be true and there still be net positives for the African American community (though obviously not a positive for Mr Monte). It's obvious that Mr Lear wasn't altruistic. Nevertheless, I might suggest that the net effect on showing different sides of black family life enabled shows like The Cosby Show, which went on to open the door for many other shows from the late 80s and 90s. Bill Cosby, for all his personal faults, was a trailblazer. He was doing a inter ethnic partner cop show in 1971.

Back onto the topic, I wish that it hadn't played out the way it did, but I am at the same time happy that the stories were told. For that, I am thankful for Mr Monte as well as Mr Lear, even if my appreciation is somewhat dampened by the knowledge that he profited from the creative genius of Mr Monte. It honestly reminds me of the story of the Volkswagen Beetle, and how Ferdinand Porsche was given all the credit for it, when the original design was done by a Hungarian Jew.