This conversations reminds me of that whole Dutch Christmas tradition that a lot of people call racist despite having nothing to do with minstrel shows or anything racist.
Not sure I'm willing to give Japan or Toriyama the benefit of the doubt about Jynx or Mr. Popo but it does make me think of that
Really, black caricatures are no different from caricatures of any nationality. By definition, a caricature is "a picture, description, or imitation of a person or thing in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect" and is not meant to be taken seriously in the slightest. Being upset about it is akin to being upset about an Eaglelander.
Of course, people do anyway but there's nothing to be done about that.
edited 20th Aug '15 3:45:21 PM by Zelenal
Let the joy of love give you an answer! Check out my book!It depends on the intent and how serious it is, really. Like the series my avatar is from has an American meido who swears in every sentence, dual wields assault rifles and wears an American flag bikini. There is no way I can possibly take that seriously, so she's funny instead.
edited 20th Aug '15 3:47:06 PM by Arha
When it's an exaggeration or meant purely as a joke? Why not? I have no concern for political correctness.
Now, if it's intended to be hurtful or spiteful then it is most certainly not okay.
In the case of Mr. Popo, it seems to be just a mostly random design choice since he most certainly doesn't act the part.
Let the joy of love give you an answer! Check out my book!It all depends on context. Blackface, minstrel shows, and the like were bad because they create offensive caricatures that many people did take to actually represent black people and their behavior in this highly generalized fashion.
If you can have the fun without that becoming a problem, great, but let's not pretend it's just a case of people being overly sensitive.
edited 20th Aug '15 4:22:29 PM by LSBK
Sorry for the abrupt subject change but I had yet another thought: since, as we know, Toriyama was writing by the seat of his pants, do we know what his original idea for Vegeta's fate was? Given he was still doing horrible crap as late as mid-Namek I find it difficult to believe he was intended to join the heroes originally.
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If you're worried about that then we can't use caricatures at all. There are always going to be a number of people who assume that caricatures represent reality. I'd much rather enjoy myself then worry about what every single person on the face of the planet might end up assuming.
It's entirely possible that he had no real plans for Vegeta.
edited 20th Aug '15 3:57:15 PM by Zelenal
Let the joy of love give you an answer! Check out my book!I particularly like the part where Superman punched Goku.
...
The flight scene right before they ended up in the wasteland, ripped right out of Man of Steel from when Superman punched Zod. Not too fond of how SSGSS barely had any feats associated with it, but it still looked amazing.
I'M MR. MEESEEKS, LOOK AT ME!![]()
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Yeah, there going to be some people but I'm not talking about just some people. I'm talking about large swaths of the populations taking things like that as fact and all the baggage that comes with it.
And that does happen. Saying "It's just a caricature" in every situation is being naive.
And gloated about it.
edited 20th Aug '15 4:01:47 PM by LSBK
This is true.
...And this is the sort of statement that demonstrates ignorance about racial issues and their actual causes.
We aren't fans, usually. It's mostly the white Europeans who don't think there's a problem.
Sometimes we pretend we don't have a problem with it if we don't feel like starting shit.
...God I hate that term.
While I could've have done without the big pink lips, Staff Officer Black was one of the sanest men in the entire Red Ribbon army. In fact, he could have probably led them to conquering the world if he'd cut his losses and just gave up on the Dragon Ball right then and there. I mean, it's true Goku didn't trust him, but I don't think he'd attack someone not willing to fight back. Go into hiding, rebuild the army and kick everyone's ass without it.
Wow, looking at it now, it's a good thing for the world he kept fighting Goku.
Also:
......I didn't know you were black Unnoun.
One Strip! One Strip!![]()
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I am, yes.
This
has something to do with how I feel about comedy.
I feel comedy should punch up.
...See, this, this is what I would hear in Europe from people right before they would start spewing slurs.
Huh. Learn something new everyday. Go figure.
Anyway.......I still want Powered Armour one day.
I'm always gonna want it. I wish Toriyama had thought of it.
One Strip! One Strip!

I now want to move to Europe.
Let the joy of love give you an answer! Check out my book!