Is the Backyardigans racist?

[Niamh]

Caught this comment when I was googling for the lyrics to the Backyardigans mermaid lullaby (and I STILL can't find them! )

Apparently, the thought process goes that Austin is white (which, of course, is why he's ignored in so many episodes), Pablo is Hispanic (which is why he stinks in the Yeti episode and is so hyperactive), and the other three are black (which is why they are in every episode, Tasha is bossy, Uniqua is sensitive, and Tyrone is funny).

Leaving aside all the laughably broad (and some offensive) generalizations in the above thought process, do you think it's possible that the creator (who is AA) has created a racist cartoon? (This would mean that you'd have to believe, contrary to the beliefs of some on this board, that somebody who is not white could be racist.)

Or do you think that it's more likely that the creator made a cartoon that, if you look carefully (if you even notice the choice of names), actually <gasp> has minorities as the majority!

I have to admit that I laughed it off since I love the show and don't think it racist in the least, but what do you think?

[Irishmommy]

I've never seen it, so I couldn't say.

[Ms.Doula]

Honestly I think your on to something.... thought it from the start actually

[minicooper]

am I allowed to ask where you found those ideas? just curious

I love the show and can't seem to find a reason to believe that it's racist... Austin is new to the neighbourhood so... that might be why he's not on much.

DH and I thought that Uniqua was an ant.. then I read that someone thought that she was a ladybut... but she's Uniqua.... and there's no creature like her.... Took me a minute to realize that Austin was a kangaroo.

[RiverSky]

I think the Backyardigans is a great show and I love, love, love that the characters are a mix of ethnicities and I love all of their names. I don't think it's racist at all but I have to admit that it has never occurred to me that any particular character is downplayed more than any other. Every show has it's main character, and I'd say that is probaby Uniqua, the others are supporting cast. Uniqua tends to actually have more negative traits in the pretend roles she plays, from what I've noticed, but she overcomes them in the end, as do all of the others.

I definitely think this is a case of people reading way too much into a great little show. Which, by the way, teaches really neat stuff to little ones about history and the world. My children come away with all kinds of interesting thoughts when they watch that show (maybe once a week).

[Missy]

I really don't get the thought process. Since when was hyperactivity a hispanic stereotype? And why would it be racist to focus less on the supposedly white character? Particularly if the creator is black? Along that same train of thought, would "Out of the Box" on the Disney channel be considered racist? They very frequently have shows that have no white characters at all. I always thought it was pretty cool that it wasn't a white show, politely padded with an appropriate sprinkling of diverse characters, but maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's racist, too... Hmm...

[PhoenixEternal]

First of all...Tasha isn't black. She's also white. Uniqua is Unique...we're thinking an alien or something.
Secondly...holy cow. Seriously?

Ohhh and on the lyrics...I'll watch it tomorrow and write them down for you.
PE

[meco]

never seen the show
but lyrics here possibly
http://www.nickjr.com/home/shows/bac...g_sheets.jhtml

[Ms.Doula]

ok maybe not reallt 'racist'.....

but its like. You write what you live. What you know.
And if you are black. Maybe you have a show that cant help but caters to the AA comunity, kwim? Same probably goes for anyone though I suppose...


& here, for those wondering..........

http://www.nickjr.com/home/shows/bac...creators.jhtml

[Mamma Mia]

Originally Posted by Ms.Doula

ok maybe not reallt 'racist'.....

but its like. You write what you live. What you know.
And if you are black. Maybe you have a show that cant help but caters to the AA comunity, kwim? Same probably goes for anyone though I suppose...


& here, for those wondering..........

http://www.nickjr.com/home/shows/bac...creators.jhtml

Help me out here. Are you actually saying that perhaps black people can't help but write about black characters?

And does it occur to you that since the dawn of the television white people have been writing shows for white people to perform? Perhaps white people just can't stop writing what they "know".

The Backyardigans rock my socks. I don't know what the OP was thinking when she posted this, but let me warn you, OP, it ain't goin nowhere good.

[mmace]

I think Ms. Doula was trying to make exactly that point. I'm a white, 32 year old, Presbyterian, single mom. If I were to write a book or TV show (trust me though, you wouldn't want me to!) - I'd most likely write about something I know. I'd write about what it's like to be a single mom. Or I'd write about what a toad my ex is. I'd take something from my life and work with that. I probably wouldn't write a story about a 70 year old Jewish man, not because I'm racist, but because I don't have any experience with his life. Honestly, I think that's all Ms. Doula was trying to say...

That said - My little girl 's The Backyardigans!

[minicooper]

Originally Posted by Ms.Doula

& here, for those wondering..........

http://www.nickjr.com/home/shows/bac...creators.jhtml

I think anyone could have answered the questions like she did and I also think anyone that's ever been a kid or has an imagination could write the episodes.

I also believe that the creator being black has nothing to do with the show content. I don't see that reflected in the show at all.

Some very relavent points made by everyone but basically I think it's farfetched to call it racist - I would never have known the creator was black just by watching the show.

[MsChatsAlot]

Maybe there's something wrong with me......but all I see is a bunch of animals in different colors. I've never tried to nor wanted to assess if some are different ethnicities. I never really thought there were different colors of moose anyway! Maybe Austin isn't in as many because the person who does the voice over is only part time and has another job.

Sounds like someone has way to much time on their hands.

[minicooper]

Austin is new to the neighbourhood.. I think that's why he's not on much right now...

[Dragonfly]

I thought Uniqua was a hippo?

[polka123]

Originally Posted by MsChatsAlot

Maybe there's something wrong with me......but all I see is a bunch of animals in different colors. I've never tried to nor wanted to assess if some are different ethnicities. I never really thought there were different colors of moose anyway! Maybe Austin isn't in as many because the person who does the voice over is only part time and has another job.

Sounds like someone has way to much time on their hands.

yeah that !!! ITA with the above

good grief, does everything have to be broken down in some "racist" nature?? as in the OP mentioned by otehrs :

don't like the show... don't watch!
leave this wonderful show alone!!!

[minicooper]

lmao... we thought Uniqua was an ant then I heard that someone thought she was a ladybug... but she's neither... she's unique - unlike any creature

ya know polka!?

[Doodlebugsmom]

Originally Posted by polka123

yeah that !!! ITA with the above

good grief, does everything have to be broken down in some "racist" nature?? as in the OP mentioned by otehrs :

don't like the show... don't watch!
leave this wonderful show alone!!!

: I think any show could be considered racist by someone if it was analyzed enough. I never even considered race when dd watches The Backyardigans. I mean it's a blue penguin, pink kangaroo, yellow moose, yellow hippo, and pink unique creature!

[Doodlebugsmom]

Originally Posted by Niamh

Pablo is Hispanic (which is why he stinks in the Yeti episode and is so hyperactive)

The more I think about this comment, the more upset I get. Pablo was "pretending" to stink because he was "pretending" to be a Yeti. I have never even considered that Latino people stink and it highly upsets me that some people do. I have never even heard of such a thing. I don't get the hyperactive thing either. It makes me wonder if the person who these thoughts originated from may be racist themselves. I'm assuming that these are not the OPs own thoughts. If so, I don't mean to offend. I just don't understand where these thoughts would come from.

[Alkenny]

I've never thought twice about their ethnicity...I thought they were all animals?