AIBU to think Rastamouse is mildly offensive?

[kipperroo]

Am I being unreasonable not to want DD to.watch rastamouse (a cartoon mouse who speaks in a Jamaican accent) as I find the concept mildly offensive?

[Moodykat]

I am rather fond of Small Potatoes and find myself singing the theme tune at random moments of the day!

[LDNmummy]

It is incredibly offensive and I talked about this on a couple different threads last year. It will not be watched by my child, especially as one of her grandparents is Jamaican and it is part of her cultural heritage that is being so blatantly tokenised.

[Pumpernickel10]

We love it and it's so not offensive

[petisa]

Haven't really got into Rastamouse, but keep being told it's really good and a classic and I must watch it. Dd1 (3) doesn't like it, she said she didn't like the "funny voices". Is she racist?

I really like the small potatoes song, but yes, it's surreal! Show Me Show Me and Mr Tumble are faves here.

[somethingwitty82]

In what way is it offensive,I havent seen it

People seem to talk like all Jamaicans are Rastas?

[piprabbit]

The Small Potatoes sing a guitar driven, rock and roll anthem celebrating their feelings.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01115hm/Small_Potatoes_Feelings/

ROFL.

[Moodykat]

Small Potatoes also did a punk rock episode. Genius. Although who the fuck thought of singing potatoes?!

Rastamouse is ok, DS and I can take it or leave it. DH on the other hand did think that if DS was to pick up on the accent and went around talking in it, he may get beaten up as being a piss taker!

[LDNmummy]

"Got to laugh at a mouse whos religion rejects western civilisation being a cult hit"

Exactly, it makes a mockery of someone's religion and people sit back and take iit as entertainment. The days of the gollywog or not that far behind.

This is an excerpt taken from The Voice Online (for those who do not know, The Voice is a newspaper dedicated to African and Carribean social issues):

"The airing of Rastamouse by the BBC is nothing more than the covert perpetuation of a negative ideology. It serves to assert the inferiority of Caribbean culture, often perpetrated by financially and disinherited representatives from the targeted group. In this instance, it is the authors of Rastamouse who have, typically, been enabled to sell their products using the resources of an oppressing ethnic group, in this instance, the European-dominated and controlled BBC.

While Ali G was considered a parody of black stereotypes taken on by other communities, Rastamouse is no better than the new Sambo; golliwog in drag! No ethnic group in Britain would allow their religion to be represented by a rodent.

Let?s think about it. Can you ever imagine a Jewish person writing a book called Jewie the Crime Fighting Pig? Or a follower of the Hindu faith endorsing a book called Hindi the Crime Fighting Cow or, worse still, a book from a Muslim writer titled Jihad Jane? It just would not happen.

Rastafarianism is usually represented by a lion or royalty, but for some reason, the misguided author chose a rodent.

What I find so shameful is the number of educated black people who have heaped praise on the BBC for providing such an ?innovative? children?s programme. Worse still, they are excusing the programme by suggesting that it will somehow aid the process of breaking down racial stereotypes, and also implying that it will provide more opportunities for struggling black authors.

As far as I am concerned, Rastamouse will reinforce negative stereotypes in the worst possible way. The introduction of the programme has given children more playground fodder to indoctrinate them into thinking that people with Caribbean accents, and Rastafarianism as a whole is something to be mocked. Worse still, it has given the intellectual racist more ammunition to attack us.

Before you know it, they'll have Rastamouse singing one of Bob Marley's songs ?and at this point, I suppose we must applaud. Forget it. I'm a TV license payer and I don't need my money being spent in this way.

We are constantly crying out for positive programming regarding black people and the BBC has responded by giving us Rastamouse. As far as I?m concerned, the psychological trap has been set and in this instance, the airing of this show is the bait that has been offered to appease us and keep us trapped in a state of perpetual ignorance through entertainment. And it seems to work every time. We ask for cake but sadly, we are grateful when we get the crumbs."

[BoojaBooja]

OP, it's impossible to say whether YABU or not, if you don't say what it is you're finding offensive. What is it about Rastamouse that offends you, exactly?

[CocktailQueen]

Hmm, there is a Rastamouse that has a Scottish accent! And he is always drunk! And that offends me too!!

[somethingwitty82]

Dont think its quite the same, A pig for Jews is unclean and Cows for Hindus are Holy

Wikipedia has this to say

The stories show how people can get on and solve problems through understanding, love and respect, without resorting to punishment. Rastamouse's ethos is redemption not retribution ? "make a bad ting good" ? to teach right from wrong, and help wrong-doers redeem themselves from their mistakes.

And since it was written by a Rastafarian seems ok.

If a christian made Christian fish solve crime through understanding I think that would be welcomed by Chrsitians.

People want representation and then complain when they get it.

[somethingwitty82]

Voice online:

"WHILE I?m the first to rage against perpetual negative racial stereotypes on TV, I also believe that sometimes, our fear of how we are depicted can stop us from seeing the bigger picture.

CBeebies has added one ? I stress, one ? show to its mix that sees a Rastafarian mouse in the lead role. Now, had Rastamouse been the third or fourth cartoon hero to wear a tam (hat), speak with a Caribbean accent and play in a reggae band, I would be the first to be calling for an end to repeated racial stereotypes.

But the fact is, Rastamouse is probably the first children?s hero that ticks all of those boxes, and frankly, I think it?s wonderful that children of Caribbean descent now have a show that embodies elements of the culture from which they come.

The lead character in the BBC kids? show Jakers! is an Irish pig called Piggley Winks; cartoon character Pepe Le Pew was a French skunk; and BBC children?s show Tinga Tales features a host of animal characters whose accents range from Jamaican, Indian, African and many more. So why is Rastamouse so different?

On the one hand, we want TV shows that reflect the multicultural Britain in which we live, but the minute we get Rastamouse ? which, it must be stressed, is an adaptation of a series of books, penned by Rastafarian writer Michael De Souza ? some of us complain!"

[fuzzypicklehead]

Agree with somethingwitty.

I've watched the programme, and I can see nothing that is in any way mocking or disparaging of Rastafarianism or Jamaicans. The characters are admirable, the messages are positive.

So what if the characters are mice? Since when are mice bad?

Mickey Mouse, Stuart Little, Ralph Mouse, Angelina Ballerina...

All positive rodent characters.

What's the problem?

[DioneTheDiabolist]

I wouldn't have a problem with a ChristianMouse or CatholicMouse. Nothing wrong with Rastamouse, except it isn't as funny as Gigglebiz or as engaging for DS as ShowmeShowme.

[LDNmummy]

Yes somethingwitty I didn't miss the whole first half of the article, If you noticed the whole thing was based around representing two perspectives.

I used this section which I pointed out was an excerpt because it was to highlight my opinion.


But notice the massive intellectual difference between the section you chose to use and the section I chose.

Also notice that the writer of my chosen section challenges the points put forward in the section you have chosen and refutes them.

The author of your chosen passage even contradicts their own point of Rastamouse being a good thing by stating that if it were "...the third or fourth cartoon hero to wear a tam (hat), speak with a Caribbean accent and play in a reggae band, I would be the first to be calling for an end to repeated racial stereotypes."

The writer here highlights that it is indeed racial stereotyping even while trying to promote its good qualities. Further stating that if this were one of a multitude of cartoons of this format, they would indeed be calling for an end to it. The show's only saving grace is that it is one and a first.

Hardly a convincing argument.

[fuzzypicklehead]

Um, no.

The author was pointing out that is not an example of repeated racial stereotypes, but that it is currently the ONLY Rastafarian character on children's television in the UK

And yes, Rastamouse does embody some traditional elements of Rastafarian culture, and does so in a positive way.

So, are you saying children shouldn't be exposed to Rastafarianism or elements of Jamaican culture?

[Awomancalledhorse]

El Nombre was a Mexican gerbil (a la Zorro) who spoke in a typical mexican accent, and had a friend called 'Little Juan' etc, he was awesome. I miss him :(

YABU OP, the BBC/kids tv have a history of international rodents/animals teaching kids stuff!
If I didn't go to primary school with a Rastafarian boy, I would no nothing of the religion/way of life...at least shows like this expose kids to things they may not encounter day-to-day.

[LDNmummy]

The author pointed out that if there was more than one show of this same format then they would dislike it as racial stereotyping. Why does there need to be more than one exactly for that to be recognised? Does that not show that the author does infact see the potential for harm in the cartton and that it does contain negative elements of racial stereotyping?


"So, are you saying children shouldn't be exposed to Rastafarianism or elements of Jamaican culture?"

Why on earth would my opinion make you think that? In fact, as someone who grew up in a household with a strong link to Jamaican and Rastafarian influence and who is now married into a Jamaican family, I think it would be wonderful to have more representation of said culture and religion. Especially as Jamaican culture is very much a part of the social fabric that makes up Britain.

I will definitely be introducing it into my childs life as it is part of her cultural heritage. I will not however do it by allowing her to watch this show. There is plenty of literature and other resources out there.

[Mamathulu]

I do feel that perhaps religion shouldn't have a place in preschool tv, whether it's for educational or entertainment purposes. I think preschoolers are FAR too young to start thinking that esoterically, and for that reason, I'm not sure 'Let's Celebrate!' really has it's place there - fine for schools programmes, but a little overboard for preschoolers-infant school, which is what I've always assumed Cbeebies to be aimed at, and isn't all that 'entertaining'.
I have no problem with RastaMouse as a pro-moral show, nor do I object to seeing Jamaican accents/culture being seen on kids telly - in fact, that's probably a good thing. I do worry that perhaps the image of that culture is a little sterotypical, but aren't they all?
DS is just a bit little to 'get' RM at 2.4, but I'm sure he'll love it in a year or so. He's into Small Potatoes in a big way though - has a pet potato that he carries around with him. And I think I love Show Me Show Me more than him, especially the shop characters - pmsl @ 'Ohhwww - What is it? I garta have it I garta have it!' and the cow and Humpty's voices. Classic stuff. But I'll have both the classic and the new thanks, and be grateful for it.

[Mamathulu]

aw, LDN - El Nombre was brilliant - bring him back, I say! :o

[mrsjohnsimm]

But why does the existence of Rastamouse lead children to think "that people with Caribbean accents, and Rastafarianism as a whole is something to be mocked"? Rastamouse is great. He plays in a band, and he solves mysteries, and he does it without getting all gung-ho about it but rather works out a sensible mediated solution for everyone at the end. My children think he is great and he seems like a good role model for them to me. Why on earth would they going to move on from that to thinking that people with Caribbean accents are to be mocked?

Rodents have been among the most consistently beloved characters in UK children's programming at least since I was small (which was, ahem, several decades ago). Children like rodents.

[AgainWhen]

I like Rastamouse. I don't think it's offensive.

[Tolalola]

Agree with mrsjohnsimm.

Maybe this is viewed differently in the UK, but children here in the Caribbean love that there is a show based around characters that they can understand and relate to easily and the parents I know are bloody happy that their kids have a positive show to watch that contains West Indian characters. They don't see anything to be 'mocked' about it any more than any other character in any other children's show.

Sadly, there are a lot of negative sterotypes out there and the vast majority of the stuff that children watch here is either not really suitable (eg Tempo, Caribbean music channel with some very raunchy/violent videos) or is American shit programming with which the children can't necesarily easily identify.

[JamieAgain]

OP it really helps if you explain what you are offended about. Otherwise we will all just assume you are a DM journalist doing some nice easy research

[kipperroo]

Sorry. Only just returned to MN to a wealth of messages. To clarify. Having a DD with mixed heritage Caribbean and English I find it sad that this is one of the few tv programmes for kids at the mo that represent black culture yet it is quite stereotypical (as discussed far more eloquentlyin other posts). We're keen for DD to learn about her heritage on both sides and I do not think programmes like these give a good representation of culture. However, I am often accused of being overly sensitive when colleagues launch into rastamouse impressions at work. Though not all of my colleagues know about our mixed raceness so perhaps YABU myself!