Saturday, April 19, 2014

Horrifically Offensive Old Cartoon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sls5H4xVHys
First and foremost, this cartoon presents negative stereotypes, so trigger warned, proceed with caution.
Second, I can't believe this actually happened.  While this cartoon is really old, it is amazing how little some of the negative stereotypes presented have survived to the modern day. Not only are African Americans portrayed as perpetually lazy (a stereotype probably originating at the time of slavery, ignoring the fact that anyone of any race would be tired if they were literally being worked to death), but they are portrayed as stupid as well.  Notice how barely any of them can articulate anything, and even in this "Lazy Town" (as it is literally titled) there are senseless fights (if they can be called that) taking place.  Also, pay careful attention to the way they are drawn.  While at first they all have the "standard" big lips and buckteeth, they are gradually drawn less human and more animalistic, resembling monkeys (hence the racial slur).  The woman to set them in motion is noticeably lighter skinned, more "typically" Caucasionally proportioned, and much more proactive.  It is this surrogate white that brings betterment to the savage and lazy African Americans.  Not only that, but she is focused on as a sexual figure, as men spring into action because they are attracted to her beauty.  She is often fragmented, especially her legs and swaying hips.  Class also plays a role, as the entire town looks impoverished, a precursor to the stereotypical modern ghetto. Intersectionality really plays a big role here.
Also, I wouldn't recommend reading the comments, as some people agree with the accuracy of the stereotypes and other people slam white people for being offended because they do not belong to the racial group mocked.  To that person, what the hell.  As a white person, I have not had to live with this portrayal and have not experienced this form of discrimination and thus cannot know what it is like, but that doesn't mean I can't be offended.  In fact, if we were all more offended then maybe we could reduce things like this made in a modern context.

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