Cartoons and Controversy, whodda thought?!

I was reading this mini article ab how some cartoons were know to be very controversial...which brought me to this next topic....Controversial Cartoons. 
I did some homework on some that I already knew of and came across one that was a bit surprising to me, but also made sense.

1) Speedy Gonzalez.
This one is a bit obvious as to why many Hispanic-Americans should take offense to this cartoon character.  But most of us don't.  Looney Tunes took it off of the air in 1999, for fear that the brown man might start riots over this (and I tip toe around this next phrase) racially offensive character.  But truth be told, we didn't care.  And yes, I am speaking on behalf of all Hispanics, haha.  We have too many other things to worry about.  And when we aren't working our asses off, we are partying them off.  As a Hispanic adult, Ive come to realise that my race knows mostly only 2 things:  1)how to work and squeez every last penny out of that dollar. And 2) how to party like it's 1999.  The League of United Latin-American Citizens campaigned to resurrect him, and by 2002, he was back on our television sets.  Including his two best friends who are portrayed as lazy boozeheads. (which kind of remind me of my Aunt Conchas ex boyfriend, hahahah!!!)

2) South Park and Scientology.
South Park is known for making episodes that stir up controversy.  Including their latest episode in which they depict Mohammed as a person, or something.  But the one I chose was the episode in which the depict Tom Cruise as being trapped in a "closet" and fears of "coming out" to the public.  And also pretty much says that Scientology is nothing but a religion that wants and praises money (ahem, catholocism).  After this episode ran on air, it was taken off and not shown again...for a while.  After Comedy Central got a barrage of letters from fans asking them to re run it, the network did so.  It was rumored that Tom Cruise himself was behind the network taking it off the air,although he has denied it.  After they made this episode, Chef, played by Issac Hayes, wanted out of the series, asking the creators to kill his character off. He said that he didn't agree with the way they portrayed the religion.  Uh, Hypocrits, are you there?  It's me, Mr. Hayes.  What about the episodes where they bash Christianity, or Catholocism, or even straight up deny Mormonism, calling it a huge hoax?!  Anyway, you have to have a sense of humor, especially when it comes to politics and religion, otherwise you'd be walking around pissed off all of the time.

3)Aladdin (this one took me by surprise, but makes sense).
In this movie they have an opening song.  If you are one of my siblings, then you know this song, as well as the whole movie, verbatim.  You know, "Oh I come from a land from a far away place...". Anywho, one of the original lyrics in this song used to be, "Where they cut off your ear/if they don't like your face" and "Its Barbaric, but hey, it's home!". Arib-Americans said that it played on stereotypes and asked for the lyrics to be removed.  "Can Arib-American children feel good after seeing this movie? No!" said an official with The Arib-American Anti Discrimination Commitee.  They also took offense to a part in the movie where Princess Jasmine steals an apple from a merchant and said merchant wants to cut her hand off.  They kept that scene in. (I can hear my sisters now, "duh they kept it in!  We know that!"). Although Disney did take out the original lyric and replaced it with, "where it's flat and immense and the heat is intense" but kept the "Its Barbaric..." line, they defended the movie saying that it was the first movie in a long time to depict an Arab hero and heroine.

4)Family Guy and Sara Palin.
In this episode, Chris has a date with a young lady who has down syndrome.  When Chris asks what her parents do she says that her mom was the ex governor of Alaska.  Needless to say, Palin went on a media frenzy going to all of the major (republican) media outlets, forshaming Seth McFarlene. Saying that no one should make fun or use humor w anyone who has DS.  Also proclaiming that she speaks of behalf of all mentally disabled persons.  Unfortunately for Palin, the actress who played the girl with DS, actually has DS.  She made a public statement telling Palin to never speak on her behalf again and, in otherwords, get a sense of humor!

5) Song of the South 
A 1946 movie featuring the song "Zip-a-Dee-doo-dah" which won an Oscar in 1947.  This film was also made into a ride at the Park, minus the racism.  I have seen this movie once as a little kid and I like the songs and the live action with cartoons idea.  But unfortunately, it's a bit racist.  Set in a post civil war south, the former slave "Uncle Remus" regales kids with amusing stories...which kind of depicts an offensively "Idyllic" master-slave relationship.  Giving African Americans in this film an "Im happy to have been a slave" attitude.  A big slap in the face to many generations before its time and after.  Although I remebered this movie as being entertaining, you have to take into account that I was 5 when I saw it.  Needless to say, my nephew will NOT be watching this one. Not with Auntie Amy at least.  And not just because of the underline racism, but because Disney declines to release it ever again fearing the outcry over the crude stereotypes.

Well that's all from me today kids!
Until next time, here's hoping that you're not bored at work.