There are those times in history that changed our society forever. Civil Rights is one of those movements that changed everything when it comes to racism and double standards for black people. Even if black cartoon characters were shown in programs through 1900 to 1960, they were reduced to racism. Until the Civil Rights movement came along from which then came along a Saturday morning cartoon. Showing black cartoon characters in more positive light to help the young black kids to view themselves in a better light as well how the white kids viewed them.
Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution, a new exhibit from the Museum of Uncut Funk at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, takes viewers on a tour of the cartoons and animations of the 1970s that were some of the first to present positive black characters helping to get away from the typical stereotypes.
“I believe these cartoons are national treasures,” curator Pamela Thomas said in a statement. “They were seen by a generation of children and not only changed the way that black kids saw themselves but the way white kids saw them as well.”
Here are some of the first few black animated characters to see black people is a positive light back in 1970. Animated characters like these empowered black musicians, cartoonists, and actors. Here some of the few that are shown in the Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution exhibit from the Museum of Uncut Funk at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The viewing for the exhibition is at Latimer/Edison Gallery in Manhattan until June 14th. If your in the city go check it out!
Valerie Brown of Josie and the Pussy Cats in 1970 was on of the first positive Black characters in Saturday morning cartoon series.
The Jackson 5ive brought viewers the first positive black cartoon casts in 1970 and 1971.
The first black female superhero, Astrea, in Space Sentinels came along in 1977.
