Mickey Mouse just says 'yes' to speed and racism in this 1951 comic strip entitled 'Mickey Mouse and the Medicine Man', available here.
The glorification of amphetamine use is certainly a change of pace from the strong anti-drug messages portrayed in contemporary children's media. However, I would argue that the racism is shocking not because of its message but rather because of its form.
As the Guardian reported on 30 June, 2010 in an article entitled 'Lower IQs found in disease-rife countries', it would appear that the notion that 'natives' are stupid and lazy is an enduring stereotype nearly seven decades on. The difference is that rather then being casually asserted, it now relies on pseudo-science and neo-Lamarkianism to provide rhetorical force and validation. It would appear therefore that the cultural production of racism may be returning to its nineteenth century eugenic roots...
Plus ca change, plus ce la meme chose?



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