Present Racist humor
Racism Or not?
Early 20th Century Cartoons
Interactive
Early 20th century cartoons
In general, racist cartoons (racial or ethnic humor) of the early 20th century ridiculed women, African Americans, Asians, Jews, Europeans, almost all minorities were targets of ethnic humor. Racial cartoons are influence by what happens during the period they are created. For example, if you are not certain what a cartoon is about, you would have to research the time it was aired and find out what was happening during that time. Most American “racial” cartoons mock minorities or individuals the US is or was in conflict with.
From 1900 throughout 1960, the major target of racial cartoons was African Americans. Henry Sampson writes, “depicting black characters as derogatory stereotypes was the universal practice at all cartoon companies before 1960.”
During 1941 through 1945, cartoons tended to focus on war propaganda, advocating the views of those against or for World War II. Basically, cartoons “reflected the social status, tensions, and discriminatory practices of their time… they also help shape them through powerful institutions.”
Prejudice of Arabs
Racism in cartoons is an ongoing issue. It never stops but it is lessened. Since early mid-twentieth century racism has been censored. However, Arabs still seem to be victims of prejudice. Arabs are often times stereotyped as exotic and barbaric.
The Arab Women
“Almost all portrayals of Arab women in American... can be summarized into these two notions: veiled, oppressed and/or sensual belly dancer.” This is true most of the Arab women are portrayed as sexual or oppressed. There are many other races in where women are also oppressed, but America focuses on Arab women because the origins of Arab prejudice is due to the opposition between the east and the west. In other words, America has problems with Arabs.
The Arab Men
Like Arab women, Arab men are also stereotyped as fat bellied, oily skinned, and terrorist Arab men. This is also due to the sociopolitical relationship between the east and the west. Arab men are portrayed as being overweight and oily skinned because of the control they have over petroleum. They are portrayed as criminals because of the radical punishment they have and because of the terrorist acts they perform.