A response to Hilarity, Histeria, and Huck Finn:

Rob:
>> People thought minstrel shows and Amos 'n' Andy were hilarious too. Does that excuse or justify them? <<

Stephen:
>> You are mistaking stereotypes with slurs. A stereotype is a exaggerated caricature of reality. A slur is an insult to a particular group. <<

Minstrel shows and Histeria both deal in stereotypes. Stereotypes are often offensive to the people being stereotyped. They're intellectually wrong even if they don't offend anyone, because they distort and falsify reality.

>> Animation is all about exaggerated caricatures. Tell me that a particular cartoon made some group of people seem inhuman or worthy of death and I will listen. Just saying that it includes stereotypes don't cut it. <<

You're the one confusing stereotypes and slurs. How do minstrel shows, Little Black Sambo, or Aunt Jemima make anyone seem inhuman or worthy of death? They're just stereotypes, right? Just harmless concepts with no force behind them?

How are the exaggerated caricatures in cartoons different from these exaggerated caricatures? I addressed and disposed of this point at "It's Just a [Fill in the Blank]", so I won't go into it here. Feel free to tackle my argument if you can.

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