Is the Backyardigans racist? - Page 2

[hakeber]

Originally Posted by Doodlebugsmom

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.

I just wanted to say...totally! and maybe Pablo is hyper active because ummmm, HE'S A CRAZY ANIMAL CHARACTER FROM A KIDS SHOW! They're ALL hyperactive.

Now the teletubbies...that's another matter, Tinky Winky is OBVIOUSLY gay!

[EmmaJean]

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.

ITA!!! They are pretend creatures! The people who do their voices are real, but I don't see how that makes any of the characters human w/ ethnicities.

whatever!

[Ashleigh]

This is interesting. I never even noticed

[merpk]

I don't have TV reception at home, so have no clue about the show you're all discussing. But am interested in how some posters are suggesting the OP was saying the show is racist, or how the OP said something racist.

I mean, did you all read the OP?

She said that she heard that some people were saying it was racist, and she heard that some people said it was racist because this character did this and that character did that.

And then she specifically said she doesn't agree with that line of reasoning at all.



It goes on from there, you know?

Gotta read the OP, you know?

(have no clue how I got to this thread or why I'm posting to it except that I'm already NAKing and can't get up at this moment )

[lilyka]

they are supposed to be animals ?! this seriously never occured to me. i thought they were just . . .things . . . ya know, like the teletubbies.

and they are not white/black/brown. they are pink, purple and blue and aren't most of them polka dotted. Yes there are some etnic undertones (?). I thought this was just an intentional stab at diversity. I never noticed any stereotypes. but i am a little flighty especialy on sturday morning cartoon binges (the only time we watch TV and Backyardigins finishes up our broadcasting day). Austin blending in has been addresed several times. he is painfuly shy. He is dealing with it and his friends are sensitive to it. It is not an issue may cartoons address. especially from a boys perspective.

If the writer is AA then it makes since that most of the kids are AA. he is probably basing all the characters on children he loves. maybe even family members. children in his commnity. Maybe the kids running through his backyard . . . . ya think? If you did the same thing what would your color ratio be. If I were to pick the 6 kids at my house the most there would be 4 white kids, 2 Mixed race AA/white kid, and 1 Native American kid and one Indian kid. and they would al be silly and dancing and singing and pretending. they range in age from 4-12 and only one is a boy. And if i were to write anything about children they would be the inpiration. I do not believe the show is racist one bit. I think it is a reflection of the writer and kids he knows or the kids he knew growing up.

And I love lovel love the backyard again. even my 9 year old loves it. It is just so gentle and sweet. Ugg? ugg ugg uugg ug.

[Doodlebugsmom]

Originally Posted by merpk

I don't have TV reception at home, so have no clue about the show you're all discussing. But am interested in how some posters are suggesting the OP was saying the show is racist, or how the OP said something racist.

I mean, did you all read the OP?

She said that she heard that some people were saying it was racist, and she heard that some people said it was racist because this character did this and that character did that.

And then she specifically said she doesn't agree with that line of reasoning at all.



It goes on from there, you know?

Gotta read the OP, you know?

(have no clue how I got to this thread or why I'm posting to it except that I'm already NAKing and can't get up at this moment )

I think it's absurd that anyone (not the OP, but whomever came up with the racist things about the show) could find racism in a show about make-believe multi-colored, talking animals. Race doesn't usually enter my mind when watching animals sing and dance on a children's television show.

[pfamilygal]

Racist, no. Annoying, yes. That dang yeti song gets in my head for days. Not cool to start randomly singing it at work in front of patients (I seem to be afflicted with the same syndrome as Marcus in "About a Boy" - random unconscious singing aloud.).

[crescentaluna]

I must admit I don't know the show BUT ... Here's a THOUGHT ...

As a non-white American it was always obvious to me what race cartoon "animals" were, or puppets, etc. Kids can TELL, and there's nothing "racist" about that. I can also tell when cartoon/puppet "animals" or "aliens" or whatever AREN'T white-dominant-culture. And I LOVE IT when they aren't!

Everyone out there who thinks that "color-blind" is the ideal ... No, friends, it ain't. People are different. Those differences are PRECIOUS. People who gloss over those differences, pretend they don't exist, are doing a subtle kind of violence - denying other people's reality.

So what I'm saying is: sounds like those characters are actually supposed to BE different races/ethnicities/cultures. I hope so, we need that! Far from racist, that's a strike against racism.

[crescentaluna]

Oh, and sorry, but I couldn't resist ...

It's just the sheer absurdity that anyone (not the OP) could come to the conclusion that a show geared toward pre-schoolers, that is about pretend, talking animals could be racist.

I, on the other hand, find it absurd that people don't realize that prejudices and bias are part and parcel of almost everything in the media. I'm really ... uh ... stunned by this comment.

[Doodlebugsmom]

Originally Posted by crescentaluna

Oh, and sorry, but I couldn't resist ...


I, on the other hand, find it absurd that people don't realize that prejudices and bias are part and parcel of almost everything in the media. I'm really ... uh ... stunned by this comment.

I pm-ed you. Apparently, I wasn't as clear as I needed to be in my pp. I edited it. Hope it's better.

[sadie_sabot]

perhaps the problem is that for some people, anything that doesn't have white people and WHITE culture (whatevertheheck that may be--in this case i think it means anything that isn' clearly *something else*) in the center is discrminating against whites.

Do you think that might be why you feel like the show is racist Ms. Doula?

[Niamh]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies! I just wanted to chat about what I thought was an absolutely ridiculous allegation. (For the poster who asked-I googled 'backyardigans mermaid lullaby' and was scrolling through comments on a blog when I came across this dubious gem.)

I will just say that I love the show. Love, love, love the show.

[Mamma Mia]

Originally Posted by sadie_sabot

perhaps the problem is that for some people, anything that doesn't have white people and WHITE culture (whatevertheheck that may be--in this case i think it means anything that isn' clearly *something else*) in the center is discrminating against whites.

Do you think that might be why you feel like the show is racist Ms. Doula?

What she said.

[Doodlebugsmom]

Originally Posted by Niamh

Wow. Thanks for all the replies! I just wanted to chat about what I thought was an absolutely ridiculous allegation. (For the poster who asked-I googled 'backyardigans mermaid lullaby' and was scrolling through comments on a blog when I came across this dubious gem.)

I will just say that I love the show. Love, love, love the show.

My dd loves that song, and even imitates Tasha's movements when it's on!
We love the show too! You should hear us all in the car when we're playing the cd. :

[matts_mamamama]

Been meaning to jump in here...my son & I love this show and I never gave one thought to race (they're animals!!), but, I think there are always people who can see race in anything.

We have the Backyardigans magazine and it describes each of the characters:

Pablo: (shortened by me) small penguin with big ambition, the fact that he's wound a little tight and lacks a certain grace leads to lots of opp. for slapstick. He is well complemented by his best friend, Tyrone.

Tyrone: calm, cool, matter of fact Moose. Easy going, levelheaded.

Tasha: girly & dainty (seemingly), she is headstrong and stubborn, but a good friend

Uniqua: confident, agile and adventurous; likes to run the show. Mischievous and sweet, she's one of a kind.

Austin: shy and independent, new kid on the block; tends to wait to be invited.

Now, don't we all know people like this, regardless of race or color?? That's what I like about the show, they have real characteristics and personalities.

[ebethmom]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly

I thought Uniqua was a hippo?

Tasha is the hippo. Uniqua is a unique creature, an animal of her own.

We really like this show! I love all the varying musical styles, and ds loves their adventures. He said "they have a whole big world in their backyard."

Dh and I have noticed their different ethnicities, but it is something that we *like* about the show. I hadn't seen any racism. Even after reading the alleged racist elements, they seem to be a stretch.

[~ATenthMuse~]

I think it's a ridiculous suggestion. IMO, people that are looking for racism will find it, no matter how far they have to stretch things...(just wanted to say that I know racism exists, but i think someone wanted to find some kind of reverse racism agenda because the creator is African American...which p*sses me off)

We love the music.

[witchbaby]

Originally Posted by pfamilygal

Racist, no. Annoying, yes. That dang yeti song gets in my head for days. Not cool to start randomly singing it at work in front of patients (I seem to be afflicted with the same syndrome as Marcus in "About a Boy" - random unconscious singing aloud.).

hahahaha! i'm with you there. the instant it's even MENTIONED, that freakin' "doin' that yeti stomp!" line runs through my head over and over again!

[wende]

My dh hates the show. He REALLY hates the music. He thinks it's creepy and sounds like they're all doped up on heroine.

[matts_mamamama]

always wondered what animals doped up on heroin sounded like