Posted on 03/08/2021 9:58:51 AM PST by Impala64ssa
Comedian Gabriel Iglesias defended the cartoon mouse Speedy Gonzalez, whom Iglesias is voicing in the upcoming Space Jam sequel, against claims that the mouse perpetuates “corrosive stereotypes.”
Iglesias took to Twitter on Saturday, shooting down any attempt at potentially canceling the cartoon mouse over claims that he or his cartoon friends contribute to harmful stereotypes of Mexicans.
“I am the voice of Speedy Gonzales in the new Space Jam. Does this mean they are gonna try to cancel Fluffy too?” Iglesias, who is nicknamed Fluffy, posted with an image of Speedy Gonzalez. “U can’t catch me cancel culture. I’m the fastest mouse in all of Mexico
Speedy Gonzalez, along with several other cartoon characters, came under scrutiny on Wednesday after Charles Blow, a columnist for The New York Times, wrote a defense of those businesses and groups that have canceled six books by Theodor Seuss Geisel, known as Dr. Seuss, over allegations of racism. Blow included in his column a handful of cartoons and other shows that he claimed pushed toxic culture. As Blow writes:
Some of the first cartoons I can remember included Pepé Le Pew, who normalized rape culture; Speedy Gonzales, whose friends helped popularize the corrosive stereotype of the drunk and lethargic Mexicans; and Mammy Two Shoes, a heavyset Black maid who spoke in a heavy accent.
Reruns were a fixture in the pre-cable days, so I watched children’s shows like Tarzan, about a half-naked white man in the middle of an African jungle who conquers and tames it and outwits the Black people there, who are all portrayed as primitive, if not savage. I watched the old “Our Gang” (“Little Rascals”) shorts in which the Buckwheat character summoned all the stereotypes of the pickaninny.
And of course, I watched westerns that regularly depicted Native Americans as aggressive, bloodthirsty savages against whom valiant white men were forced to fight.
Blow’s column sparked backlash in defense of the cartoons that millions of Americans grew up watching. Many spoke out in defense of Pepé Le Pew, a cartoon skunk famous for his numerous failed attempts to woo a black and white cat.
“[Right wing] blogs are mad [because] I said Pepe Le Pew added to rape culture,” Blow tweeted on Saturday. “Let’s see. 1. He grabs/kisses a girl/stranger, repeatedly, [without] consent and against her will. 2. She struggles mightily to get away from him, but he won’t release her 3. He locks a door to prevent her from escaping.”
“This helped teach boys that ‘no’ didn’t really mean no, that it was a part of ‘the game’, the starting line of a power struggle,” argued Blow. “It taught overcoming a woman’s strenuous, even physical objections, was normal, adorable, funny. They didn’t even give the woman the ability to SPEAK.”
Last week, Amazon, eBay, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises all stripped six of Seuss’s works from their platforms, canceling the books over claims that the images and descriptions in the books are racist or offensive.
Wow - this might require almost every Mexican restaurant to change their menus.
Too me, Speedy Gonzalez was just a mouse that was smarter than Sylvester.
I’m really surprised that it took this long.
Who’s next, Mighty Mouse?
Speedy Gonzales was the epitome of Positive Imagery for Mexican people.
He was smart.
He was fast.
He was brave.
He was clever.
He was resourceful.
He was always victorious over his enemies.
What’s not to like?
What will the perpetually offended class do for an encore? Cancel Bugs Bunny? He would dress up as women in some episodes, that could be perceived in their warped little minds as denigrating cross dressers and trannies. Better keep my big mouth shut or they’ll come up with more dumbass ideas
Pepe didn’t realize he smelled really bad. That was the joke. The cat was into it until she got a whiff. Pepe didn’t know she wasn’t just like him. It is a petty, ignorant, small person who sees rape culture here, and who sees stereotypes as mean and racist. I say if you want to cancel something, cancel spewing idiots like Charles Blow.
“Charles Blow, a columnist for The New York Times...” didn’t seem to hinder him any.
There’s a local restaurant serving Mexican. #1 on their lunch menu was Speedy Gonzalez. For my hour lunch break it was perfect beans, rice, enchiladas. Fast and good tasting. Sometimes back at the BIG BOX working, I would have to make a Speedy to get rid of the Gonzalez.
It’s been awhile.
I’ve always enjoyed his comedy. Not racist or sexist or much cursing but funny as hell!! And he even makes fun of Mexicans!
How dare he. 😂
I always thought that Mexicans were lazy.
Charles Blow. Almost as stupid as Thomas Friedman.
Almost.
I have never heard of or seen this cartoon character - and I watched ALL the cartoons as a child
Eating Mexican food is cultural appropriation .
Anyone doing that needs to be outed/exposed.
The same with Chinese food.
Give him time ...
Gabriel Iglasias has a fantastic collection of VW Buses. There’s a YT video about it. They’re beautiful.
The Frito Bandito and Bill Dana’s Jose Jimenez bit the dust long ago.
Next up: Slowpoke Rodriguez
It didn’t. They had this same argument over Speedy at least a decade ago.
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