Popeye the Racist

The advent of television and cinematography introduced new means of molding public opinion, consequently, the commodification of visual messages diffused narratives of what society is. In particular, these mediums visually convey dominant racial ideologies. In early American history, Native Americans were portrayed as primitive savages; as a result, these depictions validated white supremacy and manifest destiny. Eventually these depictions were further developed into what media has constructed as the “captivity narrative.” This narrative capitalizes on the fear that “savage Indians” will hold white women and children in captivity. For example, the episode Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh (1938) from the popular cartoon series Popeye the Sailor, illustrates the captivity narrative when the protagonist Olive Oyl is held captive by a tribe of Indians and Popeye comes to rescue. The antagonist, Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh, represents the stereotypical characterization of a Native American tribal chief wearing a headdress, leading a chant, and becoming violent when necessary. The captivity narrative in this episode justifies white supremacy and manifest destiny because it naturalizes the idea that Native Americans are not civilized or less than human. This idea justifies social and economical marginalization because the primitives are incapable of maintaining land and therefore must be displaced.

This episode starts off with Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh chanting that he seeks for a wife who will be there by his side. Meanwhile Popeye and Olive Oyl, crossing through the desert, find that their mule refuses to continue and lies down. Popeye, no longer on the mule, pulls on the reins; Olive Oyl tries to help by pulling on the tail of the mule. As a result the mule kicks her and sends her flying. Olive Oyl happens to land on a wooden chair next to Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh. Popeye notices Olive Oyl is missing and eventually finds her. Popeye insists Olive Oyl leaves with him but she refuses to leave after being showered with gifts. This leads to a duel between Popeye and Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh. With help Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh manages to lure Popeye into a large wooden steak. Popeye is bound to the burning wooden steak but avoids disaster when his can of spinach explodes. The spinach goes flying into Popeye’s mouth and he defeats the savage Indians.

Historically, Native Americans are portrayed as violent uncivilized people who capture white women and children. Their primary purpose is to be subservient to whites because they need to be civilized. In the case, Popeye walks off into the sunset after defeating Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh even when they try to burn him to the steak. The animators present images to the audience of what is the savages look like by exaggerating nose size, skin color, and eye shape. Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh is portrayed as a non-fluent English speaker who grunts all the time. In this case the savage has no articulate speech and his language is reduced to grunts. The grunts symbolize primitive culture and therefore the audience gets the impression that their culture is advanced. The belief that whites have superior cognitive abilities translates into other arenas of life. 

The savage depictions also imply that Native Americans are only useful when they serve white’s interests. In this episode, Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh showered Olive Oyl with gifts and thus, he reduced to serving and trying to persuade her to stay. However, in the end Popeye triumphs over all and wins over Olive Oyl. This depiction reinforces notions of white supremacy because the message is that Native American culture is primitive and in the end whites are superior.  

Stereotypes perpetuated by media reinforce racial ideologies and carry serious implications for minorities. These consequences can range from how one is treated to how policies are enforced. Although media representations carry the same racist messages, new media provides a forum for racial discourse. This new media is exposing the true sentiments that individuals suppress and this could mean a step towards having an honest conversation about race. 

links 

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/12/popeye-facts/

http://www.worstcartoonsever.com/2009/01/29/racist-popeye-i-yam-what-i-yam/