http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.reuters.com/george-lopez-voice-speedy-gonzales-film-reuters
In the article I have above, it talks about a new film coming out where they have George Lopez do the voice of the famous character Speedy Gonzales. What it also says is that it is shying away from the Speedy that was debuted in the 1950's, because that Speedy was "racist." Are you kidding me? Speedy Gonzales is a cartoon character. How can a cartoon character, one who is not a real human being or animal who would have any thoughts of their own, be racist? This is absolutely ridiculous. I can see how he feeds stereotypes of Mexican culture, but he is nothing more than a tool for entertainment. He is first and foremost, a cartoon character on a cartoon that is aimed at little kids. Speedy is also from Mexico. What accent would you want someone from Mexico to have? Would you prefer that he speak in perfect English with no accent what so ever? No!! The accent is what makes him funny. He is a little Mexican mouse who runs around. I can't stand how people look so far into cartoons thinking they are going to corrupt our youth. I grew up watching Looney Tunes, and I am not racist in any way. I know plenty of other people who watch the same show and also are not racist. I don't like how these film makers can just come in and change one of the most famous cartoon characters of all time.
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I'm going to have to disagree with you. Though just an accent may not have much of an effect, sometimes it can lead to viewing people differently, especially from the Mexican point of view and your trying to make it in this country. But I thought it was funny you said cartoon characters cant be racist, when they definitely have some racist bits to them, especially in the 1950's. Tom and Jerry had black servants in it, and even middle east people and Asians were viewed badly in those cartoons, and I believe they were originally made for adults as shorts before movies in theaters. Granted I watched these shows when I was little, and I'm not racist, I can see how people would want to change these stereotypes.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkO9fVBky0I
ReplyDeletelet me introduce you to the frito bandito.
something we learned about in our diversity in the media class. speddy may seem harmless but what about this advertisement? i think some of the behaviors frito and speedy exhibit may have kids think inaccurate stereotypes about mexicans. it may seem harmless, and i don't have that big of a problem with speedy having an accent, but we need to be careful about having characters like this on tv.
I will refrain from piling on too much...I think Ross & Shayna have articulated my thoughts on this as well as I might have...
ReplyDeleteWell I understand why you all disagree, but there is a clear problem in the media. There is a strong focus on this cartoon character being racist, yet mainstream media channels in primetime can show clips of an Olympic Luger being thrown from his sled and smashing into poles, which resulted in his death? Yeah my main concern is the racist cartoon character too..
ReplyDelete