July 05, 2010

Tom and Jerry in Two Little Indians

Educator Debbie Reese brings a Hanna Barbera cartoon from 1952 to our attention:



Comment:  It's obvious what's wrong with this cartoon. The Indian mice are portrayed as pure savages. They don't do anything except hunt, scalp, and kill. Martial tom-tom music plays in the background.

Animals are an ironic choice to embody this stereotypical view of Indians. These "Indians" are no different from animals.

For more on stereotypical cartoons, see Cool Cat in Injun Trouble, Lippy and Hardy in Injun Trouble, and Porky Pig in Wagon Heels

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