Comic Propaganda

[TrongaMonga]

http://www.superdickery.com/propaganda/1.html

That was made by American comic companies in WWII (mainly). My question is, do you think that would be even accepted by America nowadays?

Honestly, I think those companies would be sued for racism and stuff, which may even be more stupid.

[Emperor Pan I]

Whats wrong with slap a jap? People are to sensitive to everything nowadays. If superman wanted to slep a jap, there is little anyone can do to stop him. He's superman.

[Laharl]

You have to look at the feelings at the time.

Japan had just bombed Pearl Harbour, destroyed some ships and killed some people. The American people were angry. Very angry. There's no way it could've got through as a lawsuit even if people cared.

[TrongaMonga]

I really don't think they could do that now, even after 9/11.

[Tipsy]

Why couldn't they do it now? Since comics are made in the private sector they would be protected by their right to free speech even if it turns out to be unpopular. It would probably turn out to not be an effective way to promote buying war bonds today, but the comic could be made nonetheless.

[TrongaMonga]

By saying allowed, I'm not only talking about government censorship, but also about sues from anti-racist and minority protection organizations.

[Tipsy]

I'm fairly certain that the United States does not have hate speech laws (meaning any lawsuit would fail) and I hope we never do.

[TrongaMonga]

It's not about hate. I understand you haven't take a look at it, but there are some images where black people are represented differently than white people, for instance.

[Tipsy]

You mean something like this one?



Hate speech is any speech "intended to degrade*, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against a person or group of people based on their race, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, moral or political views, etc."

In that picture, black people is being degraded* and it is a form, though a very weak form, of hate speech. I could publish this without the slightest bit of fear of a credible lawsuit.

[TrongaMonga]

Of losing a lawsuit, it's what you mean. Lawsuits aren't everything, some public may indeed just quit buying your product.

[Tipsy]

My point was that there would be absolutely no legal consequences. As for how would the public respond, it would depend who the comic is attacking. For example, some businesses have recently put up signs saying that "Speak English" while others have put up signs saying "Se Habla Espanol." In a polarized issue such as immigration they are both gaining and losing customers from their antics.

Specifically with the black person, keep in mind those are from before the civil rights movement.

[TrongaMonga]

Yes, I know, that's why there wasn't much trouble back then, because of that.

And that's precisely what I mean, society acceptance. It would probably depend on the situation, of course.

[Laharl]

I don't know, you guys. That kinda made me want to buy war bonds.

[Tempest Storm]

Lets keep in mind the brutal nature of the Japs in WW2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_war_crimes

[x42bn6]

You have to remember that during the War, it was important for the citizens to support the army. The easiest way for women and children to be swayed into this was to bash the Axis powers and a picture is worth a thousand words.

The Allies would say this is "comic relief".

Being an Oriental, I do find this offensive, but the easiest storyline for comics and stories would be the War itself. There were hundreds of comics all bashing the Axis powers not just Action Heroes - the Beano and Dandy regularly screened episodes of:

~ A blundering Mussolini, who was portrayed as a moronic, big-headed, egoistic dictator whose comics always ended with him getting humiliated by the British, the Italian people, and his own soldiers.
~ Korky the Cat on a fight against Axis mice who were terrorising him, usually involving him throwing them into the sea, hitting them with hammers, and the like.
~ Comics in general bashing Hitler and making him look stupid, and getting thrashed by the British.
~ The Japanese being portrayed as useless and brainwashed.

So really, I don't know what to say. Racist, yes, but this was important because without support, I am sure I wouldn't be born today. And the same applies for a lot of people.*