In light of the new Speedy Gonzales movie comming out soon...I've got to ask the question..are the characters considered racists? I can see how you could easily say "yes" due to the characterization of the other mice being lazy and sometimes even drunk. But is the cartoon racists if the very people it's supposed to offend actually embrace it? Or is this a case of white guilt deciding the cartoon is racist. Interesting notes...Cartoon Network pulled Speedy Gonzales from air after finding it offensive...but in 2002 LULAC actually lobbied to have it put back on the air. The cartoon still airs regularly in Mexico...but not the U.S. Also, I was at a local TexMex restaurant and was suprised to see a picture of Speedy Gonzales on the wall. I asked the owner about it & his reply was that "Nobody asked ME if I was offended". http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.reuters.com/george-lopez-voice-speedy-gonzales-film-reuters http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speedy_Gonzales
I think his cousin, Slowpoke Rodriguez is much more of a stereotypical depiction of Mexicans. "Racist" might be a bit much. But there are instances where they reinforce negative images. So imagine you have a show about fat stupid venal Americans bumbling around the world like a bull in a china shop. It probably wouldn't upset too many people if made and shown in the USA. But if you made it and showed it in one of the countries where people actually believe that that is all Americans, and the fact that them "American-ness" of the cartoon character became more of a defining characteristic, I'm thinking that more people would probably get upset.
I'm not allowed to be offended by Speedy and his compadres if I'm not Mexican? I actually love the Speedy cartoons, but I do find their depictions of Mexicans to be offensive. It doesn't matter to me whether Mexicans are offended; I'm offended.
I never really saw it, but I don't like shows that teahc stereotypes... unless they're true of course.
Thats a very good point.. but I'm still curious about LULAC actually lobbying for the cartoon to be put back on the air in 2002. Aren't they based in America? As far as Slowpoke Rodriguez - thats kind of what I was saying..that the other mice were portrayed as lazy and sometimes drunk..and I can see how that would be considered Racist. and yes, I agree with you.. I think "offensive" is probably a better term than Racist.
I'm with Ottomaton on this. There's good mice and bad mice, fat mice, tall mice, skinny short mice, drunk and lazy mice, sober and productive mice = not racist. The only attribute applied universally to them is the speech pattern, which will push the buttons of some people. Compared to more clearly racist cartoons (disney) where ALL the crows in dumbo are jive talkin' booze houndin' good for nothings, or ALL the black voices in tarzan are gorillas (and rosie) ... then you got yourself a problem.
Hey, hey..don't put words into my mouth. Of course, your allowed to be offended by whatever you want. My point was that if Mexican's aren't offended by the cartoon, what right do we have to tell them that it IS offensive towards them. If they are NOT offended, then maybe we shouldn't be either. And I guess I have to say it again..For the record, I AM unconfortable with the characterization and I can see how it is offensive. I'm Just playing a bit of devils advocate here and asking questions about my own thoughts on this.
Offensive and Racist are not necessarily the same thing. Things can be one without being the other While some Stereotypes may not be 'offensive' there is an element of Racism to them. i.e. All Asians good at math . . All Black men blah blah blah . .. etc. etc. Rocket River
Why? What are the Mexican Cartoon Alternatives? When you lack options . .. you embrace what you have. Rocket River
Actually, only one mouse is sober and productive, Speedy. That's where the whole dynamic comes from: you have one over-achieving mouse who apparently won the gene-lottery in a race of good-for-nothings and becomes a hero because he's the only one that can excel in this world. I don't think Speedy can redeem the show by himself.
my point was that here is an organization that is about fighting Mexican Discrimination since the 20's, yet they are promoting a cartoon that has been deemed by some as offensive to Mexicans. There are many other cartoons that they could be promoting such as Dora The Exporer, Go Diego Go, Handy Manny, just to name a few off the top of my head. Again - If they don't find it offensive, should we non-Mexicans find it offensive for them? Thats my main question.
Or just about any Tex Avery cartoon where a character was severely burned and his skin was turned black?
Yes, I recall seeing those cartoons. The maid was originally an African American southern woman who referred to the cat as "Thomas". Later, she was replaced by a white woman.
I wonder who would win a race between Speedy Gonzales and the Roadrunner. It seems like the hat would slow Speedy down.
