By now, most people have probably heard about Farfur, the fundamentalist Islamic Mickey Mouse-like character who promotes violence and hatred on the Hamas-affiliated Al Aqsa TV network. But have you seen him? In any case, this is both a complicated story and a simple one. It's simple because it's wrong. Indoctrinating children is hard to justify, particularly when that indoctrination involves, say, violence and hatred. But it's a complicated story, partly because Farfur was pulled off the air for review, and partly because he's just part of a long tradition of this kind of thing. There are also, just for the purposes of argument, plenty of examples of pro-American propaganda through the years that use children's entertainment as a vehicle. There are racist Bugs Bunny cartoons that reinforced negative stereotypes about African-Americans, Japanese, and Germans, and there's even a famous Disney propaganda cartoon in which Donald Duck plays a Nazi munitions worker (and says "Heil Hitler" all over the place). Is it always reprehensible? Is it effective? Might this kind of thing backfire? Are there any gray areas when it comes to teaching children to hate--or, at least, hatefully express their national/religious identity?
[Ben Greenman's acclaimed new book of fiction, A Circle is a Balloon And Compass Both: Stories About Human Love, is now available at bookstores.]
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 14)
1. Meanwhile, our liberals condemn the Israeli's for taking a tough stand against these bloodthirsty, sub-human, brainwashed Palestinians. Palestine deserves its status as the Cockroach Colony of the Middle East. The average Palestinian Woman will give birth to 12 children within her lifetime. These kids are indoctrinated into the Muslim Hate Culture from day one. This type of ingrained thinking guarantees that Palestine will always require subjugation. Israel has no choice, but to maintain strong military opposition to the Sea of Hatred that surrounds them on all sides. The Palestinians do not deserve ANY outside support from Western Nations and in view of the level of violent brainwashing that has existed there for 60 years, should be treated like the savage animals that they are. We only prolong the inevitable by tolerating Palestine's existence.
carlthejarl at 12:29PM on May 9th 2007
2. If this wasn't so frighteng, it would be funny. When I first started to view this, I thought it was a parody of some sort. As it progressed, I was horrified to see what I was viewing. I'm beginning to think that instead of our troops being in the cradle of insanity, a few well-positioned hydrogen bombs would turn out the lights of these Islamic fundamentalist lunatics.
Alex at 1:17PM on May 9th 2007
3. This is very disturbing...And this is supposed to be a kids television program? Perhaps there are more television shows like this in other countries promoting the same type of hatred and destruction of others? We, as responsible adults need to take a closer look at not only what our children watch but we also need to keep them out of affairs that they have nothing to do with. Children are born open and trusting. It is only when we tell them that something is wrong that they begin to fear. Fear leads to insecurity which leads to ignorance. PLease, stomp out the cycle of violence!
J at 1:41PM on May 9th 2007
4. So what are you saying Ben, this stuff is new? I was in and out of Japan in the 70's as a sailor. You think that Donald Duck cartoon was bad. I got a sample of propagana cartoons while in Japan looking at stereo systems. The shops would have multiple TV's on, and one TV or so would have "cartoons". I didn't realize that all American men had huge handle-bar mustaches and a mouth full of big, bright, white buck teeth. We like to sneer a lot back then too. I guess to show off our choppers.
True, there was no hatred or violence towards us in them, and certainly not even in the same league as what Hamas is doing, but propaganda just the same.
Willet at 4:07PM on May 9th 2007
5. Well if you look at what you are saying you are doing Exactly what they are doing, condoning the violence and making it seem right. Even though what they are doing is very wrong, you are doing the same thing, tellingus to kill them.
Kevin at 1:45PM on May 9th 2007
6. I would love to see the whole video not the cut and past one that above.
LQQKER at 1:47PM on May 9th 2007
7. Comments about this video are more F@#*up than the video it self !!
sarahleonardi at 1:50PM on May 9th 2007
8. MAY BE THE REST OF THE WORLD SHOULD EMPHASIZE ALL NEGATIVE ATTITUDE AGAINST HAMAS AND THEIR FOLLOWERS, WHILE RIDICULING their all enterprise, FACE AND BARRELS.
PIN TEITEL at 5:03PM on May 9th 2007
9. Wow...I am speechless.
frank at 1:51PM on May 9th 2007
10. Are you guys for real? What happened to those days when we used to go see different cultures and then come home and write a book report. Hatered is the by-product of fear. Who ever hates is living in a fear state being. We need to pay more attention on the source of fear that has consumed these people to the point of them bringging us harm. We need not to augment their state with more of the same.
Manny at 5:21PM on May 9th 2007
11. If your thinking of "The Furhrer's (sp?) Face"--that's a cartoon where Donald Duck deliberately makes fun of Hitler. It's not pro-Nazi at all.
jessica ferrara at 1:54PM on May 9th 2007
12. Gee, is it any wonder why the Palis live like it's 500 BC?
Mike at 1:56PM on May 9th 2007
13. I agree with Kevin. You are just as bad as those you are negative towards. As for Palestine, Palestine was a country of its own and after World War II the western nations created Isreal for the jews. The Palestinians were forced off of their lands. They are not subhuman, they are just trying to get their homeland back. Before you hate people from what you gather from the news, maybe taking a look at history will give you a better, more informed opinion...
chris at 1:57PM on May 9th 2007
14. amazing what wil they think of next .
Pokerstars at 1:59PM on May 9th 2007
15. For a longer more disturbing version go to:
http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1442
kinapeda at 1:59PM on May 9th 2007