Speedy Gonzalez (1953-1999)
In 1953 a cartoon character named Speedy Gonzales first appeared on U.S.
television screens. In 1999 he was taken off the air [or at least removed
from 'prime time'] for perpetuating stereotypes about Mexicans.
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Speedy Gonzales
(cartoon version)
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The Cartoon Network, which hosted the Speedy Gonzales cartoons, found
Speedy to be offensive toward the rising U.S. Hispanic population. "In his
adventures, the sombrero-wearing mouse sports an over-the-top Mexican
accent and uses his super speed to foil foes like the Greengo
Pussygato [Gringo Pussycat] Sylvester," the network concluded.
Speedy was sometimes aided by a gang of drunken Mexican mice who
lounged around the village, or by his lazy cousin Slowpoke Rodriguez, who
seemed as slow-witted as he was slow-footed. The cartoons can still be
seen on the Cartoon Network, but only late at night or at other off-peak
times.
The Cartoon Network's action was controversial. Even though Speedy
was thought to offend Latino viewers, most of the opponents to his removal
were Hispanics. Those who opposed the cartoon's removal often commented
that Speedy was ". . . intelligent, . . . has a strong sense of justice,
. . . is very good at what he does, and has a healthy sense of humor"
(Markstein). (See also the University of Michigan's "Latino
Stereotypes in Drawn Media" web pages). The League of United Latin American Citizens
petitioned the Cartoon Network for Speedy's return to prime time. The
Network, however, said that Speedy's airtime was being reduced due to poor
ratings.
The questions around Speedy Gonzales revealed the different
(and changing) perspectives of U.S. Latinos. Viewers in Mexico loved what
Speedy stood for. They saw him as a Mexican hero. But Speedy's depiction
can also be taken offensively, including the stereotype that all Mexicans
wear sombreros, have an accent, have lazy relatives, and are always up
against white people. Thus Speedy was a hero to some and a racist
caricture to others.
Pat Boone's 1962 Speedy Gonzalez Song
Similarly, Pat Boone's 1962 pop hit
Speedy Gonzalez [YouTube] (cf. audio only via Windows Media) would no longer be considered
'politically correct'. It also embodies unflattering stereotypes of
Latinos — Speedy is described as visiting 'cannery row' to associate
with a 'floozie named Flo'. He drinks tequila down at the cantino. He
should go home to put more mud on the wall of the adobe hacienda; the roof
is leaking and there are 'roaches in the hall'. Speedy lives with his
mother. His favorite foods are tortillas, chili peppers and enchiladas.
When not drinking tequila, he drinks Coke.
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The Frito Bandito
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The Frito Bandito (1967-1971)
The Frito Bandito
was a cartoon character used by the Frito-Lay corporation to advertise its
Fritos corn chips between 1967 and 1971. The Bandito was intended
as a humorous character who would promote the desirability of Fritos;
namely he found Fritos to be so desirable that he was constantly devising
new ways to steal them from others. However, the Bandito was found to be
offensive by many Latinos due to the direct connection between the Mexican
stereotype and banditry, whatever the form.
This YouTube clip shows one of the Bandito commericals.
A later cartoon showed the Bandito on the
moon as a parking attendant collecting fees from the astronauts' lunar
shuttle so he could buy Fritos instead of stealing them.
In contrast to the Frito Bandito and Speedy Gonzalez, a completely
different sort of contemporary U.S. television commercial based on
ethnic/cultural stereotyping is this classic Noxzema 'Take it
off . . .' shaving cream clip [YouTube].
Work Cited
- Markstein, Don. Toonopedia.
Updated 'November 2005'.