Although the song employs national stereoypes, it's not racist because it's surprisingly even-handed, particularly for something written in the high noon of western imperialism. Caricature yes, satire yes, but the outcome isn't one sided. In the famous cartoon below (made 75 years ago) Abdul and Ivan Petrovsky Skavar both get shot into outer space and end up frozen, and dead. It also satirizes the media, (the Marx Brothers, comedians) who whip up attention for a good show. Incidentally the words "Shah" and \Tsar" come from the same root in the Indo-Eurpean language sytem. Another irony. Thanks to the friend who reminded me of this. When we were kids, this was funny. Now I'm not so sure.
Showing posts with label cartoons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cartoons. Show all posts
Saturday, 28 November 2015
Scary precedent - Abdul the Bulbul Ameer
Although the song employs national stereoypes, it's not racist because it's surprisingly even-handed, particularly for something written in the high noon of western imperialism. Caricature yes, satire yes, but the outcome isn't one sided. In the famous cartoon below (made 75 years ago) Abdul and Ivan Petrovsky Skavar both get shot into outer space and end up frozen, and dead. It also satirizes the media, (the Marx Brothers, comedians) who whip up attention for a good show. Incidentally the words "Shah" and \Tsar" come from the same root in the Indo-Eurpean language sytem. Another irony. Thanks to the friend who reminded me of this. When we were kids, this was funny. Now I'm not so sure.
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