That '70s Show was a sitcom revolving around Eric Forman (Topher Grace) and his friends as they navigate the late-70s as teens in small-town Point Place Wisconsin. The series is full of 70s references and features a number of guests, including Shirley Jones who was the head of The Partridge Family. Despite the fact that the show is set in the 70s, the majority of the stories within the series are timeless, showing teen troubles while also giving us the unique antics of Red and Kitty. That '70s Show's popularity soared during its time on air and spawned a revival series.
Since the release of the Netflix revival sequel That '90s Show, fans everywhere have been reminiscing over That '70s Show. While the new series revolves around Leia, Eric and Donna's daughter, it also features the old cast making appearances, including Fez (played by Wilmer Valderrama). Taking a closer look at Fez, one must ask: was That '70s Show racist towards him? While you may have an answer in your head, this article may make you question what you know.
Where is Fez From?
Fez has a unique accent in That '70s Show, and many fans of the show have spent a great deal of their time trying to decipher the geographical origin of said accent. Unfortunately for them, the show never divulges Fez's exact location. Many times throughout the series, he has mentioned his country of origin, but the show has strategically censored Fez's words, covering up the answer to everyone's question with a loud sound, so no one actually knows where Fez is from. Part of the reason this works to the advantage of the show is that they can refer to him as "foreigner" without it being truly racist considering that no one knows where he is from. On the other hand, it lumps Fez together with every person who is not from America, essentially without acknowledging their culture or heritage.
Fez's Status as "The Foreigner"
Throughout That '70s Show, Fez is constantly referred to as "the foreinger." Considering the time in which the series is set, this term makes sense as people not from America were referred to as "foreigners." While this term is not exactly a racial slur, it is definitely not an appropriate term to use for someone who is from a different country. The entire cast using the term creates a sense of otherness surrounding Fez, and while most of the time he is treated as equal by his friend group, constantly referring back to his different heritage creates a sense of otherness. So, as much as Fez is included in group activities, it's clear that he would never fully be one of the gang.
Was The Show Racist Towards Fez?
There's no denying that certain aspects of That '70s Show didn't age well. The big question is: was the show racist towards fez? The answer is, unfortunately, yes. One of the biggest examples that the show was racist towards him was the fact that "Fez" was not actually his real name and was just what everyone decided to call him because it was shorter and easier to pronounce than his real name. While this may seem comedic, not using someone's name because it's "too hard" to pronounce is a classic racist move. Fez is essentially the personification of every racial stereotype throughout the '70s in America. Between his perverted behavior to his odd level of naivety, Fez's entire character was used as one big 1970s joke about the "foreign guy."
While we'd all like to believe that Fez's friend group treated him just as they would everyone else, the reality of his character is that he was a novelty. The show leaned on Fez to bring the stereotype of the "creepy foreign guy," who, in the eyes of the Americans in the neighborhood "is out to get our women." While this is tackled in a comedic way that is not to be taken seriously, in today's modern discourse, Fez is treated as an "oither," which is the center of his character. That being said, the way Fez is treated is historically accurate and shows us how far we have come as well as how much work we have yet to do. Fans were ecstatic to see Fez in the sequel series That '90s Show; his character has made a name for himself and perhaps the show will approach his character differently.