Speedy Gonzales first aired in 1953 but then got disbanded in 1999 when Cartoon Network decided that the show contained too many stereotypes about Mexicans. Some found these stereotypes to be very offensive for the cartoon depicts Mexicans as being drunk, lazy, and always chasing after women.
In one of the episodes some Mexican mice decide that they want some AJAX cheese but in order to get to that cheese they have to cross the international border line which Sylvester the cat guards. In order to get pass the cat they call upon Speedy Gonzales, the fastest mouse in all of Mexico.
This episode clearly reflects the real life issue of illegal immigrants, crossing the border in order to enter the United States. Within the cartoon the pussy cat that is found guarding the boarder is commonly referred to as the gringo pussy cat. Gringo is a word coined by Spanish speaking people as a put down towards whites mainly from the United States. Another problem about the show is that the characters often don’t speak Spanish at all. Instead they speak a language of gibberish, which can be interpreted as a form of mockery. Although the show has made many enemies it has made many fans to. Both sides agree that it is stereotypical but some believe that’s what makes the show so humorous. By Shana Bishop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjze2-_Pp3Y&feature=related
From your description of the show, I can see why someone who was watching it might take offense to it. Even though it's just a cartoon and for fun, some people might take it seriously and be offended by it. The cartoons need to be taken lightly though and people shouldn't let it effect who they are.
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