# Holy crud! Racist Tom and Jerry episode on Cartoon Network Japan **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2018, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370 "2018-12-19T15:06:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/21 "2018-12-19T23:45:29Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > We were traveling in France, and I was watching some Tom & Jerry cartoons in the hotel room. I thought I had seen every single T&J ever created, but I found myself watching one I had never even heard of. > > It was “His Mouse Friday”. It was made in 1951, and it was set on a cannibal island. You had better believe there was blackface galore. Also, Jerry spoke! (He was trying to fake out Tom that he was one of the natives and was speaking cannibal gibberish.) > > I guess this cartoon had been banned in the U.S., but France had no problem showing it uncut. Banned by whom in the US? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/22 "2018-12-19T23:49:29Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Put it this way–if someone in America died their face black, then claimed that it wasn’t blackface, how well would that fly? [https://goo.gl/images/e97LrS](https://goo.gl/images/e97LrS) I’ll also note…Japanese people aren’t in America. What does how well the style would fly in America have to do with anything? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/23 "2018-12-19T23:55:04Z")
> [@Not\_Carlson](#): > > Reminded me of the time Hey Hey It’s Saturday, a popular Australian show I watched as a kid, got told off by Harry Connick Jr for showcasing a blakface lampooning of Michael Jackson. [Hey Hey There’s a Dope Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=535238). ---
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/24 "2018-12-20T00:02:06Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I will say that this does not look at all the same as the ganguro you linked earlier. The movie definitely just looks like blackface. But the fashion trend looks plausibly like it could be just a style with heavy tanning and white lips, without any black signifiers. > > In other words, can you confirm that these two are actually both ganguro? That the video you linked is just plain blackface? I couldn’t bear to watch more than a minute of that, but the sign by the door says “Ganguro Club”, and the girl sporting the afro says something to the effect of “We’re ganguro! That means we’re black!” To which one of the more typical ganguro girls says “Aren’t you two taking it a bit far?” For which she gets speared by the girl wearing the lip plate. So that’s the “joke”. Those two girls were going beyond the mere exaggerated tan and makeup associated with ganguro style to straight up blakface. Hardee-har-harrrr… [Stumbles off to rinse eyballs in a cup of bleach.] ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/25 "2018-12-20T00:07:19Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > You are the second person on this thread to make that assertion, but it still remains a face tinted dark, and at least Japanese director [Yoshihiro Nishimura](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshihiro_Nishimura) made that association when satirizing ganguro in the movie I linked above. > Put it this way–if someone in America died their face black, then claimed that it wasn’t blackface, how well would that fly? It wouldn’t. Maybe is a 1000 years it will. I’d posit my theory about how if you’re not putting on a GD minstrel show, then there’s nothing wrong with going all the way with an Orange is the New Black costume…but then if you asked me if its ok for a white girl to dress up like an “Indian Princess” i’d say probably not. And then I’d be a hypocrite. It has something to do with 'are you being respectful? Or just a drunk entitled frat girl, and you know something I don’t think natives get enopugh respect as it is to push those boundries. Damn it…i went ahead and posted my theories on the subject. TLDR: Maybe in 1000 years we’ll all get along well enough not to care. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/26 "2018-12-20T00:10:38Z")
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this episode of Tom and Jerry airing in the US as late as the mid-80s. I also very much remember the stereotypical portrayals of “Mammy” who is at least the caretaker of the house T&J live in (or perhaps the owner–I don’t recall if this was ever explicitly defined.) Do they still show those cartoons here? ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/27 "2018-12-20T00:12:40Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Banned by whom in the US? No idea. All I know is that I was a confirmed Tom & Jerry junky (still am), yet I had never seen nor heard of that cartoon. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/28 "2018-12-20T00:18:09Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > No idea. All I know is that I was a confirmed Tom & Jerry junky (still am), yet I had never seen nor heard of that cartoon. I don’t think you can even see the ones with Mammy Two Shoes can you? Even though she’s voiced by an African American ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/29 "2018-12-20T00:18:19Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > No idea. All I know is that I was a confirmed Tom & Jerry junky (still am), yet I had never seen nor heard of that cartoon. That one I’m almost certain I’ve seen as well. I’m sure it depends on when you grew up, but I did most my cartoon watching in the 80s, being born in '75 myself. I remember the whole pygmy or African tribe bone-in-the-hair stereotypical portrayal was still fairly common in cartoons shown in that era. Mind you, not made in that era, but shown. I mean, that’s the whole reason I even know that stereotype exists. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/30 "2018-12-20T00:24:47Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That one I’m almost certain I’ve seen as well. I’m sure it depends on when you grew up, but I did most my cartoon watching in the 80s, being born in '75 myself. I remember the whole pygmy or African tribe bone-in-the-hair stereotypical portrayal was still fairly common in cartoons shown in that era. Mind you, not made in that era, but shown. I mean, that’s the whole reason I even know that stereotype exists. I was going to post that I think the cartoons with Inky and the Mynah Bird get a bad rap as Inky doesn’t look thaaaaat bad…annnnnd I just got his name.\* \*File that to the “Popular works that went over your head for years” thread. Shit, for about seven years I thought The Borg was just a cool name. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/31 "2018-12-20T00:42:20Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > It wouldn’t. Maybe is a 1000 years it will. I’d posit my theory about how if you’re not putting on a GD minstrel show, then there’s nothing wrong with going all the way with an Orange is the New Black costume…but then if you asked me if its ok for a white girl to dress up like an “Indian Princess” i’d say probably not. And then I’d be a hypocrite. > > It has something to do with 'are you being respectful? Or just a drunk entitled frat girl, and you know something I don’t think natives get enopugh respect as it is to push those boundries. > > Damn it…i went ahead and posted my theories on the subject. > > TLDR: Maybe in 1000 years we’ll all get along well enough not to care. [https://goo.gl/images/e97LrS](https://goo.gl/images/e97LrS) ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/32 "2018-12-20T01:01:05Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That one I’m almost certain I’ve seen as well. I’m sure it depends on when you grew up, but I did most my cartoon watching in the 80s, being born in '75 myself. I remember the whole pygmy or African tribe bone-in-the-hair stereotypical portrayal was still fairly common in cartoons shown in that era. Mind you, not made in that era, but shown. I mean, that’s the whole reason I even know that stereotype exists. Same. And I’m five years older than you. I also remember, Go Go Gophers (the Indian dudes), Tijuana Toads, and Speedy Gonzales. None of which would fly today. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/33 "2018-12-20T01:08:07Z")
If it offends you that much, draw a cartoon of a Japanese soldier raping a Korean or Chinese woman. That’ll show 'em! ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/34 "2018-12-20T01:09:43Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Same. And I’m five years older than you. I also remember, Go Go Gophers (the Indian dudes), Tijuana Toads, and Speedy Gonzales. > > None of which would fly today. [Speedy’s aware.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxQmg1u2G7A) ---
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/35 "2018-12-20T01:23:59Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > If it offends you that much, draw a cartoon of a Japanese soldier raping a Korean or Chinese woman. That’ll show 'em! Dude, WTF!? What are you trying to say? That wouldn’t show anyone anything other than how much of an arsehole I would be. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/36 "2018-12-20T01:32:47Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Same. And I’m five years older than you. I also remember, Go Go Gophers (the Indian dudes), Tijuana Toads, and Speedy Gonzales. > > None of which would fly today. Maybe it’s just my own blind spot, but I’ve never had a problem with ol’ Speedy. Maybe it’s because he’s played as the hero and the jokes are always at the expense of the “gringo pussycat”. I think I read somewhere that even Mexicans are fine with Speedy’s portrayal. Maybe it was the Dope. Not sure. Personally, I prefer Slowpoke Rodriguez. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/37 "2018-12-20T01:32:49Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Same. And I’m five years older than you. I also remember, Go Go Gophers (the Indian dudes), Tijuana Toads, and Speedy Gonzales. > > None of which would fly today. Yeah. I remember visiting my cousin in Australia back in 1993 and having a conversation one night about Tom and Jerry. He grew up in the US with me, and it just dawned on us then at how very inappropriate the cartoon was for children for many reasons, among them violence and racial stereotypes. And this was back when I was a Rush Limbaugh-listening conservative Republican. When I think back on the 80s and the cartoons I watched, I’m still a bit amazed. On the other hand, the cartoon fostered a great respect for classical music for me, and got me interesting in composers like Liszt (Hungarian Rhapsody #2) and also jazz (especially the “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby” episode.) ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/38 "2018-12-20T01:53:31Z")
> [@Not\_Carlson](#): > > Maybe it’s just my own blind spot, but I’ve never had a problem with ol’ Speedy. > Maybe it’s because he’s played as the hero and the jokes are always at the expense of the “gringo pussycat”. > > I think I read somewhere that even Mexicans are fine with Speedy’s portrayal. Maybe it was the Dope. Not sure. > > Personally, I prefer Slowpoke Rodriguez. Yeah, when I was a teenager, I lived with a Mexican family for a while. Both Tijuana Toads and Speedy were loved by the whole family. _Especially_ Tijuana Toads! That shit would have us ALL in tears from laughing so hard. I also favored Slow Poke. Partly due because I was an awkward kid that sucked at all things sports. So I sort of related. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/39 "2018-12-20T02:10:45Z")
Send them a letter, they might very well respond, couldn’t hurt. But they also might very well run this same strip for the next 70 years. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370/40 "2018-12-20T02:10:57Z")
> [@Not\_Carlson](#): > > Dude, WTF!? > What are you trying to say? > > That wouldn’t show anyone anything other than how much of an arsehole I would be. Well, you’ve got an image that is offensive to Americans (characters putting on blackface - though clearly within living memory, Americans were thought to be okay with this), but the Japanese view it with cultural indifference. If you want to up the stakes, draw something offensive to Americans (a soldier raping a civilian woman) but is apparently _really really_ offensive to the Japanese, insofar as they routinely deny that stuff like this even happened, though it also is within living memory. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crud-racist-tom-and-jerry-episode-on-cartoon-network-japan/826370.md?page=3)