Amazon: “Tom And Jerry Is Racist”

There's been a lot of race-related issues this week, and while I think racism's pretty ignorant and segregation of the past should stay there, am I the only one thinking the lines of what's ACTUALLY racist are getting blurred?

We already heard this week that the FCC is seriously considering banning use of Washington DC's team name: Redskins.  Oh crap, did I just type the word Redskins? Dang, I did just type Redskins again!  It's almost like I'm typing it purpose because I AM! Besides the fact that the FCC is thinking about putting constraints on broadcasters to be able to SAY THE NAME OF A TEAM, it's also silencing the opinions of those who are indian, or part-indian(ME!) and telling us what's appropriate.  If there's any confusion on where I stand with this, check out my blog from a couple months ago.

The newest race-related issue came today, when Amazon slapped a "racism warning" on "Tom and Jerry."  Yeah, the cartoon "Tom and Jerry."  Why?  Amazon says, "These shorts may depict some ethnic and racial prejudices that were once commonplace in American society. Such depictions were wrong then, and are wrong today."  How so? There's a recurring character, Mammy Two Shoes, who is "portrayed as a stereotypical black character of its day."  But what angered some was the portrayal of some characters in 'blackface.'

I get it.  Dressing as or portraying another race to purposely insult or mock them just isn't acceptable.  Prejudice used to validate stereotypes that oppress any race should be rejected by any civilized society(detailed further here) So if we are to reject the acts that don't make us more equal, two questions:

How is Julianna Hough dressing as her favorite character in "Orange in the New Black" last Halloween racist...

...but Snoop's "Todd" character on Instagram isn't?

Tom and Jerry's "racism warning" comes from this...

...While the Wayans Brothers had no such warning for this?

I'm sure some will think I'm racist and ignorant for even posing these questions, and to be honest, I won't be surprised when they do.  The topic of race of a passionate one, regardless your opinion.  But this blog is not to cause controversy.  It's only purpose is to engage thought(I know, from a FM music DJ.  Funny, ain't it?).  

I leave you with Morgan Freeman's thoughts on the history of race, black or white.