Pepe Le Pew, the cartoon French skunk whose loving attention has driven generations of women, has been targeted by the New York Times.
Columnist Charles M. Blow claims in a tweet today that the character of Looney Tunes ‘contributed to rape culture’.
‘RW blogs are crazy vC. I said Pepe Le Pew added to the rape culture. Let’s see. 1. He grabs / kisses a girl / stranger, repeatedly, without permission and against her will. 2. She struggles vigorously to get away from him, but he will not release her. 3. He locks a door to prevent her from escaping. ‘It’s true … Penelope Pussycat was often in Pepe’s clutches.
Looney Tunes had earlier stopped using guns in its updated portrayals of Elmer Fudd.
Blow previously had dr. Seuss in a op-ed entitled “Six Seuss Books Bore a Bias.” He argued that early exposure to negative images forms perceptions. He cites Speedy Gonzales, the Mexican mouse, as one so negative.
Obviously, there were mixed feelings about Blow’s attitude. But he is not alone in his perception. Comedian Dave Chappelle indicated the same thing in a classic routine:
RW blogs are mal vc. I said Pepe Le Pew added to the rape culture. Let’s see.
1. He grabs / kisses a girl / stranger, repeatedly, without permission and against her will.
2. She struggles vigorously to get away from him, but he will not release her
3. He locks a door to prevent her from escaping. pic.twitter.com/CbLCldLwvR– Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) 6 March 2021
Who canceled ‘Pepe Le Pew because he’s a rapist’ on their 2021 bingo card? pic.twitter.com/apggrcANiZ
– NUFF (@nuffsaidny) 6 March 2021
If the NY Times says Pepe Le Pew contributes to the rape culture, what will they say about the Coming 2 America sequel, which is based on Leslie Jones’ character rape of Prince Akeem?
– Neanderthal Learned Poso (@JackPosobiec) 6 March 2021