Responding to the recent events surrounding the removal of certain Dr. Seuss titles, a NYT columnist called out other stereotypes presented in cartoons from his childhood.
Although he mentioned a few characters, his conclusion that Looney tunes Pepe Le Pew perpetuated rape culture struck a nerve with the public.
Some of the first cartoons I can remember included Pepé Le Pew, who normalized rape culture; Speedy Gonzales, whose friends helped popularize the corrosive stereotype of the drunk and lethargic Mexicans; and Mammy Two Shoes, a heavyset Black maid who spoke in a heavy accent.
He responded to the criticism via twitter expanding upon the reasons for his Pepe comment.
He wasn’t the first to lament Pepe’s behavior. Dave Chappelle rifted on Pepe and a few others in a stand-up routine.