Historically- Pervasive Portrayals of Racism from the Past
The original depiction of the Oompa Loompas in Roald Dahl's book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" has been a source of controversy for its portrayal of non-white bodies. In the book, the Oompa Loompas are described as 'African pygmies' who have been brought to work in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. This portrayal was not only racially insensitive but also perpetuated harmful stereotypes about African cultures. In the subsequent film adaptations of the book, the Oompa Loompas were portrayed by white actors wearing orange makeup and wigs, further perpetuating the idea of non-white bodies being exotic and othered (Murguía, 99). Despite this change, with orange skin and green hair, and now hailing from Loompa-land instead of Africa, scholars still argue that there are racist tropes involved. Primarily, in this version of the film, the orange-and-green Oompa Loompas are still under this master-slave dynamic with the boisterous Willy Wonka, which is still in reference to their origins as 'African pygmies,' (Murguía, 101). This depiction of the Oompa Loompas is a clear example of how even in media aimed at children, harmful stereotypes and discriminatory portrayals can be present.
The Oompa Loompas' depiction is also a reminder that discrimination and harmful portrayals in media are not limited to one particular group. While this project focuses on the portrayal of Black bodies in media, it is important to acknowledge that many different groups have been the target of discriminatory portrayals throughout history. It is important to continue to critically examine the media we consume and to work towards more accurate and respectful portrayals of all groups.
Works Cited
Murguía, S. (2018). The encyclopedia of racism in American films. Rowman & Littlefield.
There are two more glaring examples that come from the world of sports. Chief Wahoo was the mascot of the Cleveland Indians, a Major League Baseball team until the organization retired the image in 2018 after much public criticism. The image, which featured a cartoonish, red-skinned Native American with a large grin and a feather in his hair, was considered by many to be a deeply offensive and racist caricature. The controversy surrounding Chief Wahoo's image persisted for decades, with activists and Native American groups demanding that the team change its name and logo. However, the team resisted these calls for change for years.
Similarly, the Washington Redskins, a professional American football team, faced years of pressure to change their name and logo, which featured a caricature of a Native American man with a feather in his hair. The team's name itself was widely considered to be a racial slur, and the logo was seen as a deeply offensive and harmful representation of Native Americans. The controversy surrounding the team's name and logo was persistent, however, the team resisted these calls for change, arguing that the name and logo were part of their brand and history.
In both cases, the controversy surrounding these racist portrayals highlights the deeply ingrained nature of racism in American culture. For years, many people saw nothing wrong with using Native American caricatures as mascots or team logos, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and reinforcing the marginalization of Native American people. These racist mascots also perpetuated the use of Redface by fans of these teams, (un)intentionally creating racist personas (such as the ones seen to the left) throughout these towns and fanbases. However, as society becomes more aware of the impact of racism and the importance of cultural sensitivity, more and more people are calling for an end to these offensive portrayals.
The pressure put on the Cleveland Indians and the Washington Redskins to change their names and logos was a result of the tireless work of activists and advocacy groups who sought to raise awareness about the harm caused by these portrayals. The change did not come easily or quickly, but it serves as an important reminder of the power of speaking out against racist portrayals and of the need for continued vigilance in the fight against racism. While there is still much work to be done to combat the many forms of racism that persist in American society, the retirements of these figures which loomed for decades in a great step in the right direction.
Dopey is a fictional character from Disney's animated film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The character is known for his childlike behavior, lovable nature, and his lack of speech. However, Dopey's portrayal has been criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes about individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The depiction of Dopey in the film reinforces the stereotype of people with intellectual disabilities as being simple, naive, and childlike. This portrayal is problematic because it reinforces the notion that individuals with intellectual disabilities are not capable of being independent and are in need of constant care and supervision. Furthermore, the fact that Dopey is portrayed as being unable to speak reinforces the idea that people with intellectual disabilities are not capable of communicating effectively.
In addition to the problematic depiction of Dopey, it is important to note how the other dwarfs interact with him. Dopey is often portrayed as a social outcast, and the other dwarfs often ignore him or exclude him from their activities. This can be seen as a form of "othering," or creating a sense of separation and difference between Dopey and the other characters (Krumer-Nevo and Sidi, 300). This reinforces negative stereotypes about individuals with intellectual disabilities and perpetuates the idea that they are not fully valued members of society. It also serves to normalize and excuse exclusion and discrimination against those who are perceived as different or "other." It is important to recognize and challenge these harmful attitudes and behaviors in media, and to strive for more inclusive and respectful representation of all individuals.
Works Cited
Krumer-Nevo, M., & Sidi, M. (2012). Writing against othering. Qualitative Inquiry, 18(4), 299–309. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800411433546
Racist 'portrayals' are not the only thing that is getting removed, however. In 2019, the University of Southern California (USC) made the decision to shut down a longstanding exhibit dedicated to Hollywood icon John Wayne after receiving criticism over his controversial comments on race. Wayne, who died in 1979, was known for his numerous film roles and his conservative political beliefs. However, he was also known for making racist and derogatory remarks towards Black people and Native Americans.
The controversy began when an old interview from Wayne resurfaced in which he used a racial slur to describe Black people. In the interview, conducted by Playboy magazine in 1971, Wayne said, "We can't all of a sudden get down on our knees and turn everything over to the leadership of blacks... I believe in white supremacy until the 'blacks' are educated to a point of responsibility," (Lewis, 7).
After the interview was widely circulated on social media, USC faced backlash over its decision to display a large exhibit dedicated to John Wayne in its School of Cinematic Arts. The exhibit, which had been on display since 2012, featured personal belongings, costumes, and memorabilia from Wayne's storied career. Critics argued that Wayne's racist remarks should disqualify him from being celebrated in such a prominent way. In line with this thinking, the school decided to shut down the exhibit and move all of Wayne's belongings to the Cinema Arts archive for future scholarly use.
The decision to remove the exhibit sparked a wider conversation about the legacy of John Wayne and his controversial comments on race. While some argued that Wayne should be judged by the standards of his time, others pointed out that his racist beliefs were widely criticized even during his own lifetime. In any case, the decision to remove the exhibit showed that universities and cultural institutions are beginning to take a more critical look at the legacies of public figures and the values that they represent.
Works Cited
Lewis, R. W. (1971, May). John Wayne: Playboy Interview / MAY 1971. Playboy Magazine.