“Thank goodness we have fine, upstanding role models like the BRATZ and rap and hip-hop artists for our kids today. What would we ever do without them?”
by Brian Mosely
“It’s ‘pop’ then it’s ‘wham,’ understand?”
They sure don’t make ’em like this anymore, that’s for sure. That’s my impression after my helping of spinach-induced violence arrived Friday.
There is no way this would ever get broadcast on TV in this day and age. It is far, far too politically incorrect.
“It was wrong then and it’s wrong now” reads the disclaimer that begins each DVD, which deals with the racist, sexist and ethnic stereotypes of depression-era America that existed when these classic toons were made.
And boy, were these stereotypes evident. In his first appearance, Popeye delivers stinging abuse to an African-American and in the next two cartoon shorts, dispatched large numbers of both Native-Americans and Mexicans via his fists.
And the violence would never get past today’s rigid standards for children’s programming. In one short, Popeye tries to join the “Bruiser’s Club,” made up totally of thugs who just beat each other to a pulp. http://www.t-g.com/blogs/brianmosely/entry/12529/