I thought that the political cartoons, especially the donald duck film was funny, but was also very stereotypical and demeaning. I know durig world war 2 many japanese americans were confined to internment camps in the U.S. However, were all of the japanese americans in these camps and have they not seen this film? And were there any critics of how demeaning this film was?
Propaganda played a huge role in the war, but it seems as though this film is just looked at as a mistake in the past that the U.S. has forgotton to remember. Also could these films have had an impact on racial tensions in America after World War 2. Most likely they did and they undoubtedly help lead to the increase of stereotypes on Germans and Japanese.
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Did anyone besides me pick up on the fact that the voice of Pvt Snafu was Mel Blanc (voice of Bugs Bunny et al) of Warner Bros?
Like we spoke today about the terms Japs and Jews, many things at this time were considered okay when there is no way that they would be considered okay today. Terms used, actions taken, and assumptions made were not considered offensive if they did not attack Americans. PC was not an issue at this time, and other people's feelings were not considered and were especially not top priority. American safety was top priority no matter what it cost other people including people like Japanese Americans or other foreign Americans who may have seen this propaganda.
Propoganda and public opinion are very crucial in events such as war. It can provide a mentality to take action or can take effect in negative ways.
I find it funny that the one of the many areas that the cartoons were making fun of the Japanese was on their politeness and respect for other individuals.
I did think it was kind of interesting how obviously they made fun of the Japanese in the Donald Duck feature. However, I dont think we should be surprised by this.
Not only was this during a time when US young people trying to kill and getting killed in the pacific, but it is also a while before US had sorted out its own problems. The civil rights movement didnt come around for more than a decade later. This sort of racism/non-PC attitude isnt something that should surprise us.
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