Jive-talking twin Transformers raise race issues

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap ^

[LottieDah]

LOS ANGELES – Harmless comic characters or racist robots? The buzz over the summer blockbuster "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" only grew Wednesday as some said two jive-talking Chevy characters were racial caricatures. Skids and Mudflap, twin robots disguised as compact hatchbacks, constantly brawl and bicker in rap-inspired street slang. They're forced to acknowledge that they can't read. One has a gold tooth.

As good guys, they fight alongside the Autobots and are intended to provide comic relief. But their traits raise the specter of stereotypes most notably seen when Jar Jar Binks, the clumsy, broken-English speaking alien from "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace," was criticized as a caricature.

[Republic of Texas]

I thought our ghetto brothers wanted to be portrayed this way? They certainly work hard to portray themselves this way.

[SJSAMPLE]

So, there’s absolutely no element of truth in the characters?

There aren’t illiterate, jive-talking street trash on America’s streets?

That’s good to know.

[kimmie7]

Oh, I’m soooo taking the family to see this. The article knocked me over the edge!

[MrB]

Meesah thinks they complain too much!

[John123]

You get 30 days of bread and water for that post...

[ikka]

I couldn’t understand half of what they were saying ... it was like they had ball bearings in their mouth.

[FreedomOfExpression]

The link is not working.
Here's one that worked for me: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090624/ap_en_mo/us_film_transformers_jar_jar_again

[kimmie7]

[TheZMan]

Laff. I use the same description.

[kimmie7]

Not because I’m racist, but because folks need to lighten up. My southern/country accent is fair game, but “jive” isn’t??

[ryan71]

Sometimes stereotypes are stereotypes because they are true.

[TexasNative2000]

And, of course, if there were no African American representation in the movie, the director would hear from Spike Lee....

[frithguild]

Its just your jive talkin
Youre telling me lies, yeah
Jive talkin
You wear a disguise
Jive talkin
So misunderstood, yeah
Jive talkin
You really no good
...

[Paradox]

Ok, so I havent seen the movie, but I have seen pictures of Skids and Mudflap. The cars and robots themselves are NOT colored Black. Therefore, they are not racist. The robots DO speak in Urban Vernacular, but, um, Hello?! Anyone out there actually talk to alot of white kids? Urbanism is no longer a Color thing, its a Cultural thing. Please people, you need to get out more, or watch some MTV, or Reality TV. Its how alot of young people speak, regardless of race. Sheesh..

[al_c]

“Jive-talking” robots is bad, but a movie called “White Chicks” staring two black guys (playing white chicks) is okay? And what about other movies that make whites look stupid? Never hear any controversy over those.

/sigh

[BenLurkin]

The most offensive thing from SW1 was when Anakin’s mother announced that he did not have a father — in effect the character. was immaculately conceived.

THAT was offensive!

[RobinOfKingston]

The thing about stereotypes is that they don’t spring up spontaneously.

[ejonesie22]

I don't see the problem, they were Chevy hatchbacks so it really wasn't accurate anyways.

Now if they were mid eighties to early nineties Caprices jacked up with 22s or late model Suburbans, well then they would have a case.

[5Madman2]

My version of that is: “If you don’t like being judged by a stereotype, don’t work so hard to live up to it.”