Cartoons are embedded into our culture, from political cartoons to satirical television series, such as “Family Guy” and “South Park.”
Remember the political cartoon involving President Barack Obama and a monkey? There was the banning of the face of Camel Cigarettes, Joe Camel. And I’m sure nobody can forget the multiple controversies about portraying the Islamic prophet Muhammad that led to death-threats and assassinations.
“South Park” has also had a few run-ins with the prophet. Muhammad was displayed on the popular cartoon show in a giant bear suit. No damage done.
The second time the show involved the prophet was especially funny to me, taking the situation to a whole new level — as South Park enjoys doing. Cartman attempts to get an episode of “Family Guy” pulled for portraying Muhammad in the hopes of getting the show canceled. Kyle stops him, on the side of free speech, and the episode of “Family Guy” (in “South Park”) is aired, portraying Muhammad uncensored.
But Comedy Central censored it on the network. Showing a black screen that read, “In this shot, Mohammed hands a football helmet to Family Guy. Comedy Central has refused to broadcast an image of Mohammed on their network.”
But shots at the prophet are the exception, as “South Park” and “Family Guy” attack almost any other ethnic group, celebrity, political party or law without restraint. For the sake of comedy, of course.
Whether or not you think it’s funny is irrelevant. The cultural commentary plays off American views toward these issues. And they tend to not discriminate against choosing who they discriminate against, pretty much equally making fun of everyone.
Family Guy aired an episode where Brian Griffin, the family dog, is arrested for having a small baggy containing marijuana when Peter Griffin is driving smashed, covered in blood, beer in hand, and with a sheet-wrapped body in the backseat.
The statement is this: Worse crimes are being committed than having a bit of happy-grass. This is a popular issue both on a collegiate and political level. How many people are driving around wasted out of their skulls or are dangerous sociopaths looking for their next victims, while the laid-back pothead is being busted for a blunt?
“South Park” aired an episode in which Randy Marsh says the “n” word on “Wheel of Fortune.” The “n” word is said a myriad of times — and I admit, every time it was said I flinched and turned the volume down a little more on my television.
I try to imagine being a paraplegic and watching the uncountable jokes aimed at Joe Swanson from “Family Guy,” who is rarely seen without a wheelchair or severely mangled legs. I like to think I would get to a state of mind where I would be able to laugh along. It is just a cartoon.
The casual manner in which these cartoons not only mention the elephant in the room (sometimes literally portraying an elephant in the room), but come right out and make a spectacle of it, is shocking for many. But I think it should be viewed as a way to bring important subjects out in the open and get people to stop taking them too seriously.
People are just waiting, nay, looking, for something to offend them so they can grab the protest signs or shotguns and make a big stink about whatever. I think these shows illustrate for us the importance of not taking ourselves too seriously. A good joke makes me laugh, even if I’m the punch line (and I usually am).
