Friday, June 10, 2011

ACCIDENTAL RACISM?


No, not by a long shot. I'm doing a Lone Stranger episode and the Tonto-type character just doesn't seem funny without the long nose. I don't think most indians really had big noses, but Sitting Bull had a huge schnoz, and cartoonists seem to have taken their cue from him.  Now it's a convention. What's an artist to do?

Maybe I'll delete panels like the one above and go for a salami nose. Nobody on the planet has a nose like that, so who could I offend?  Besides, I'm part indian and I have a big nose, so I figure I'm entitled.

What do you guys think?

12 comments:

A Koszis said...

Right now that nose looks to me like a big chili pepper, though that may just be the way you photoshop.

Eddie Fitzgerald said...

Koszis: Well, I'm forced to draw with the mouse, which is a pain in the neck. I can't get the lines to look good.

Archmage Chaos said...

I think people need to lighten up about satire and just laugh. Go for it.

Craig said...

Makes you look like Anthony Weiner.

Steven M. said...

Don't let political-correctness ruin your creativity.

Unknown said...

Well I think the picture more funny than it is racist. It's fun to mess with head shapes and nose shapes. Plus you're just making fun of a character rather than an entire race. That's what most good cartoonists (like Basil Wolverton) tend to do.

I've seen some jokes nowadays that are just racist and crude rather than funny, and the comedians get away with it. It's very confusing.

Anonymous said...

I think most comedy has the potential to offend people, when taken out of context. Don't worry about trying to cater to the PC groups. Just make the story and visuals as funny as you can. Personally, the photo reminds me more of Captain Hook from the Disney Peter Pan movie than an actual Indian for some reason.

By the way, you're part Indian? That must be pretty cool having some Indian blood in you. Do you get any benefits from the government because of it?

Alberto said...

If that theory is true than Jimmy Durante musta' been 110% Native-American!

JohnDoe123 said...

I agree with what you said. There is a rule of thumb that seems to be if you're a member of that community you can escape the racist stamp. I didn't know you were part Indian, so if you are go for it.

Josh "Just What the Doctor Ordered" Heisie said...

Not racist at all!

The Barker said...

C'mon Eddie, you've got the most sophisticated audience in the cartoonblogosphere! Just go for it! Who are you worried about??

A hook nose is a Jewish stereotype more than anything. The only way politically correct way to depict "Indians" is showing them dying in battle against whitey.

Eddie Fitzgerald said...

Everybody: Many thanks for the encouragement!!!! I was considering shelving the idea til you spoke up because I thought it was a sensitive issue for some people.

I'm working on it now, but it requires drawing with a mouse which is incredibly frustrating. I can't get a simple, clean line, and forget about smooth curves.