Growing up, I loved Sunday mornings when I had the opportunity to crawl into bed with my parents and watch a cartoon or two. No, my Mom and Dad did not watch cartoons on a daily basis, but they did this especially for me, as it was sort of an opportunity for family bonding. At this young and innocent age, I would not have been able to comprehend a show like "Meet the Press," and a cartoon seemed more age appropriate; however, I now realize that even these programs were exposing me to quite mature and controversial issues.
I was truly shocked yesterday, when in one of my communications classes, we began to discuss the hidden messages embedded in cartoons. Unlike a movie or television show, everything in a cartoon is constructed and exists as a code. Sometimes an actors true feelings or mannerisms permeate into a character; however, with animation, there are no accidents and every movement and characteristic displayed is intentional.
So when we look at Bugs Bunny for instance, what do we see? A male rabbit, right? Yet how do we know he is actually male? Since cartoon characters are mostly male-oriented, an assumption just evolves. Females are represented as very passive and are either there to act as eye candy or comedic relief. Since Bugs is never a passive recipient of action and always is proactive in solving a problem, we believe the rabbit must be a male. Yet in order for Bugs to remedy an issue, he often dresses in drag and takes on a different persona. Yet never once growing up did I, or I'm sure many others, question this behavior. The animation un-grounds it from everyday life and it is already so fantastical that we do not think twice when we watch an animal switch gender roles. Yet when a transgender person such as Chaz Bono is announced as a contestant on the popular show "Dancing With the Stars," many people are in an uproar and find it inappropriate.
Is it possible that the Bugs Bunny Americans have adored for decades is gay or transgender? Back in the 50's when these cartoons were coming to light, these issues were not accepted, let alone openly discussed in public. No one would ever think something on public television and geared for a young audience would convey Bugs Bunny as a homosexual. These cartoons have done a phenomenal job of undermining cultural norms at a very subliminal level. The writers and animators of these programs have succeeded in producing works that are embraced by so many yet transmit huge societal critiques...it's amazing! As I become more media literate and develop and perfect my skills of dissecting and analyzing media, I will gain such wonderful insight and perspective such as this. I hope I have helped you to become enlightened as well...
On a side note: I'd like to wish all of my Jewish followers and friends a very HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR. May it be full of hope, love, and success.
I was truly shocked yesterday, when in one of my communications classes, we began to discuss the hidden messages embedded in cartoons. Unlike a movie or television show, everything in a cartoon is constructed and exists as a code. Sometimes an actors true feelings or mannerisms permeate into a character; however, with animation, there are no accidents and every movement and characteristic displayed is intentional.
So when we look at Bugs Bunny for instance, what do we see? A male rabbit, right? Yet how do we know he is actually male? Since cartoon characters are mostly male-oriented, an assumption just evolves. Females are represented as very passive and are either there to act as eye candy or comedic relief. Since Bugs is never a passive recipient of action and always is proactive in solving a problem, we believe the rabbit must be a male. Yet in order for Bugs to remedy an issue, he often dresses in drag and takes on a different persona. Yet never once growing up did I, or I'm sure many others, question this behavior. The animation un-grounds it from everyday life and it is already so fantastical that we do not think twice when we watch an animal switch gender roles. Yet when a transgender person such as Chaz Bono is announced as a contestant on the popular show "Dancing With the Stars," many people are in an uproar and find it inappropriate.
Is it possible that the Bugs Bunny Americans have adored for decades is gay or transgender? Back in the 50's when these cartoons were coming to light, these issues were not accepted, let alone openly discussed in public. No one would ever think something on public television and geared for a young audience would convey Bugs Bunny as a homosexual. These cartoons have done a phenomenal job of undermining cultural norms at a very subliminal level. The writers and animators of these programs have succeeded in producing works that are embraced by so many yet transmit huge societal critiques...it's amazing! As I become more media literate and develop and perfect my skills of dissecting and analyzing media, I will gain such wonderful insight and perspective such as this. I hope I have helped you to become enlightened as well...
On a side note: I'd like to wish all of my Jewish followers and friends a very HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR. May it be full of hope, love, and success.