Aside from being a noted environmental activist, Dr. Burke was that rare individual who was also an early defender of civil rights. A number of his TV shows dealt with this then-emerging issue and he was never deterred from boldly speaking out on what was then still a controversial topic.
Stranger in the Ray , produced in 1962, is Dr. Burke at his best as he shows how nature, human-caused environmental imbalance combined with misinformation on cultures and race can drive misunderstandings that could have devastating global consequences even to this day.
Another episode, The American Stranger, showcased here in an abstract form, is an example of support for civil rights. It was nominated for a Peabody Award in 1958.