Luis Filipe Pereira

'Critical Perspectives – Thesis Proposal OGR'

How black people are represented in American animation.
Thesis Proposal - Synopsis

For my dissertation, I wanted to discuss how is black men represented in America and Disney as '
Caricature ' explaining concepts such as race and defining what type of race I am focusing on. I will
be beginning with some research in terms of social signs, anthropological perspectives and studies
showing evidence of different range representations as well.
I want to define propaganda, caricature, parody and satire in connection to animation examples. I
will also explain how can animation be associated to propaganda aiming to discuss offensive
content, stereotyped as racist or resistant in Disney 20's 30's and contemporary animation as well.
This will allow me to understand what was the purpose of the satire and parody methods. I will
attemp to analyse, main ideas or meanings naiming big companies that got their own work
censored finding examples of good and bad representation of African American men in between
20's animation mainstream and niche as well. I will break down these problems in parts beginning
by analising cartoons such as Jungle Jitters, Pop Pie a la Mode, Buddy of the Apes, Tokio Jokio and
Scrub Me Mama with a Boogie Beat exploring these cartoons in a critical way. The goal will be to
write about how powerful can this ideas be, how deep can these subjects reach. This will allow me
to write conclusions about how Walt Lanz caricatures black people in several works from Disney 20's
and 30's comparing to contemporary animation
Chapter Synopsis

Chapter 1. I want to define Black American race from different theoretical

perspectives. This will allow me to focus on the theory of the subject animation. I
will be beggining with some research in terms of social signs, antropological
perspectives and studies showing evidence of different range representations I will
do research in order to find historic and contemporary examples to support points
that I made from the theoretical frameworks .

Chapter 2. I want to explain how deep can reach animation also how can that be
associated to propaganda and race - reaching a deep knowledge left in art such as
animated clips or films using satire or parody. I want to define propaganda,
caricature, parody and satire in connection to animation examples of good and bad
representation of African American 20's /30's and compare to some contemporary
examples as racist or resistance stereotypes.
Chapter Synopsis

Chapter 3. In my final chapter I will look at Disney stereotyped

cartoons. Also I want to take this further and explore how Americans
represent African American in animation 20's and 30's compared to
contemporary era. So firstly, I want to discuss why is this made this way
continuing analysing techniques and debating humor outlooks and
then cartoon characters, what are they doing in these shows. Secondly
the reason why they were censored and why is that so important in
historical terms. Thirdly I want to aim my targets to the influence that
these old ideas can have in contemporary animation.
Research Proforma

Foucault, M., Rabinow, P. and Faubion, J. (1997). ´The essential works of

Michel Foucault, 1954-1984´. New York: New Press, p.474.
Confronting Governments Human Rights - Chapter 34
Page
474 –
This book shows analysis of anthology of foucalt´s ethics of self-care
and sexuality related to abuse of power by culture government and
its citizens.
Research Proforma

Culler, J (2002). ‘Barthes’. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp.32 34 35.

Critic - Chapter 4
Why is it important
This specific chapter in this book argues that countries defend different ways of viewing
the same subject due culture and interests
Page
32 – Jonathan writes about Barthes ideological implications describing that humans were
designed to be teached , in a wide variety of ways, this ways will obviously change their
vision due culture as well.
34 – “The most highly wrought cultural artifacts are traced back to elementary,
pre/reflective sensation, which serves as a natural origin.”
35 - “This would make criticism the art of filling” He claims that Barth as a writer interpret
meaning defending that the real world will never be finished or even perfect arguing that
there are contexts that are being edited everyday by different people.
Research Proforma

Perebinossoff, P. (2017). ´Real-world media ethics´. 2nd ed. New York:

Routledge, pp.51, 52.
Ethics and the Role of Producers, Writers, Actors and Directors Or How to
Get Started in the Entertainment Business
Why is it important
This book provides a wide showcase of real ethical issues faced by
professionals in the media field. Numerous case studies allow readers to
explore multiple perspectives while using realistic ethical principles.
This chapter in this book talks about how important is to find good sources
and material for a good story
Research Proforma

Cohen, K. (1997). Forbidden Animation. London: McFarland & Company, pp.1,

49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59
Preface –
Censorship of Theatrical Animation 9.

Why is it important
This book analyses case of studies of animation that was banned.
Walter Lantz Productions,
‘Walter Lantz, whose cartoons were distributed by Universal, occasionally included caricatures of
African Americans in his cartoons. In the 1930s they appeared in a few of his Oswald the Lucky
Rabbit cartoons.’
Research Proforma

‘The NAACP requested the film be withdrawn from distribution and that Universal use
better judgment in the future. Universal’s representative tried to brush off the NAACP with a
letter (October 29) noting that none of Universal’s theatre managers had received complaints
from the public. The NAACP responded by sending a representative to New York to talk
with somebody at the Universal office.’
‘Jones told him the NAACP was trying to “educate people away from an appreciation of this
form of so-called humor ” McEvoy said the NAACP could contact the West Coast office of
Universal, “but warned that if we do this ‘niggers’ would be prevented from getting much work
in the industry because of our organisation taking such action.’
Research Proforma

Wasko, J. (2001). Understanding Disney. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp.7,108.

Chapter 2 Disney History

Chapter 5 Analyzing the world according to Disney
Why is it important
This book analysis the progress of Disney that during years captivated audiences around the
world designing loads of characters, images and stories understanding dynamics of media
corporations by focusing on individual capitalists.
Research Proforma

Wasko, J. (2001). Understanding Disney. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp.7,108.

Chapter 2 Disney History

Chapter 5 Analyzing the world according to Disney
Why is it important
This book analysis the progress of Disney that during years captivated audiences around the
world designing loads of characters, images and stories understanding dynamics of media
corporations by focusing on individual capitalists.
Research Proforma

Smoodin, E. (1994). Disney Discourse. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, pp.148, 149.
Chapter 10 Pato Donal´s Gender Ducking by José Piedra
Why is it important
This Book examines the pervasive cultural influence of Walt Disney and his imaginary empire.
Drawing both on the humanities and social sciences, the contributors read through Disney´s
domestic cultural production “innocent” national icons, as well as theme parks, cartoons and
television to analyse the global impact of American popular culture, the politics of Disney, and
the complex reception of Disney productions around the world
This chapter analyses how was invented the animation Donald Duck related to capitalism subject
and exposing America during the wave of Nazism in the 1930s.
Research Proforma

Cartoon Crazy's Banned & Censored. (n.d.). [DVD] Directed by T. Reich. North Hampten Partners
LTD.: Audio Galaxy.
Chapter 1 - Be Human – Betty Boop /
This Chapter in the DVD shows Betty Boop scared of the farmer that is a big man with bad
behavior with the animal in this farm being to aggressive.
Chapter 2 – Little Black Sambo /
This chapter shows a lot more related to aggressive clips with a tiger following a kid on his way to
school, this show was banned in America between 30s and 40s.
Research Proforma

Jowett, G. (2015). Propaganda and Persuasion: Grath S. Jowett and Victoria O’Donnell, pp.179,
149.
Chapter 4 and 6
Why is it important
This Book examines the history of propaganda and offer insightful definition and methods to
analyse it, Propaganda and Persuasion, Sixth Edition provides fascination examples, from
ancient times to present day, to facilitate a solid understanding of propaganda. The authors
include the latest research in propaganda and persuasion and cover the use of propaganda in
psychological warfare.
This chapters will help me understanding main ideas of propaganda methods.