Growing up watching cartoons I rarely came across Speedy
Gonzales and when I did I had somewhat of a neutral position on Speedy
Gonzales. To me, Speedy Gonzales was just another cartoon amongst a variety of cartoons;
I did not give it much thought. Yes, he spoke Spanglish but the skewed portrayal
of Mexicanos/Latinos withdrew my interest. I definitely could not say I was a
fan.
Presently, Looking at the episodes, I found that cartoon
spoke more about American society at the time more than a commentary between
two cultures.
The portrayal of Mexican@/Latin@ culture was very much a
white perspective. Out of all the mice, Speedy Gonzales was the only one with a
favorable trait and the other mice would depend on his ability to outrun the
foe and rescue them, giving the impression the Mexicanos/Latinos were helpless
for the most part. Common characteristics of the mice were, for the most part, intoxicated
with exaggerated accents.
Interestingly, the articles pointed out the symbolism behind
the skits were interesting but I found the conclusion odd. Many of the out
right injustices that the “Greengo Pussycato” subjected onto the mice were
sterilized when speedy Gonzales won at the conclusion of the episode. The
cartoon always concluded with Speedy Gonzales winning. I am left to question,
why would the writer expose the injustice and oppression and not follow through with the reality?
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