Blackface minstrelsy in American cartoons had two main elements; visuals and performance. Visually, cartoon characters often mimicked Black people with exaggerated features, such as dark skin, white gloves, and oversized eyes and lips. Performatively, minstrels acted uncivilized and interacted with the audience, conditioning viewers to perceive Black people as comedic, subhuman, and inherently inferior.

Tom & Jerry (1940 - present) is one of the most recognizable and successful cartoons of all time. However, they are a product of their time and has warning labels, racism and prejudice, for Amazon subscribers. Growing up, it all seemed like a good laugh. Now, I realize they were laughing at people who look like me.

Coughlan, S. (n.d.). Tom and Jerry Cartoons carry racism warning. BBC News. www.bbc.com/news/education-29427843.amp

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