JE #1A

            Speedy Gonzales holds a vague place in my childhood memory.  He was, admittedly, one of the few Mexican cartoons I could think of, one I knew had my same cultural identity, even as a child.  To refer to Speedy Gonzales in real life was usually just in order to call someone fast; it was a silly compliment and not much else.  As I grew older, I was increasingly aware of Speedy’s problematic portrayal of the Mexican people.  I understood the comments that declared Speedy characters stereotypical, remembering the many times I had seen his drunken mouse friends and the exaggerated accents with which they spoke Spanish.  I didn’t take these things to be universally true in my childhood, disregarding them because I am Mexican and knew otherwise.  While I knew them to be stereotypes, other children might not, bringing into effect psychologist Robert Butterworth’s valid defense for taking Speedy out of the cartoon lineup. 

            Looking over the links provided, I was intrigued by the WB’s bold move to present such a blatantly relevant conflict between Speedy and Daffy Duck in the 1960’s.  “When I get through here, there won’t be a mouse in the house, even if it means sacrificing the house.” While these cartoons are “harmless” when taken with a grain of salt and showcase the unfortunately ongoing conflict between the people of neighboring countries, it cannot be stated enough that Speedy Gonzales cartoons represent a hurtful and inappropriate view of Mexican society.