Speedy Gonzales: A Beloved Mouse Built Around Racism, Backwards Stereotypes & Problematic Associations. Author Gustavo Arellano Joins to Discuss his Article on the Character! Cecil Turtle Turns 80!

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Speedy Gonzales has been beloved by Mexican American's for years, but recently there are have been discussions around his problematic nature and origin resulting in a column written by LA Times contributing writer Gustavo Arellano, so I asked him to join me in discussing this complex history. He agreed!

Columnist Gustavo Arellano's painting of Speedy Gonzales hanging in his home office.

 

Happy 80th Cecil the Turtle! Cecil the Turtle first starred alongside Bugs Bunny in Tortoise Beats Hare (1941) Directed by Tex Avery. Bob Clampett and Friz Freleng would also go on to direct the turtle in following shorts.

He has appeared in every series of the Looney Tunes, including the latest series on HBO Max with had him tormenting the rabbit in not only a race, but a math test and a carrot eating contest. That short, "Shell Shocked" is directed by Pete Browngardt.

 

New Batch of Looney Tunes Cartoons dropping April 29th! This new batch will introduce more rare characters into the fold, such as Pete Puma and the Gremlin character from Falling Hare!

Stills Property of Warner Bros.

Shorts Discussed: Speedy Gonzales (1955) Dir. I. Freleng Written by Warren Foster.

La Bamba by El Jarocho 1939

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Gustavo Arellano: 

https://www.gustavoarellano.org/