Except that it doesn't use a black puppet and African cultural context.
Also, the Swedes have been treated EXACTLY like various African peoples throughout history in various countries, so that's a very fair and rational analogy completely free of bias or stupidity.
And while we're at it, Loony Toons are anti-American: Bugs Bunny is clearly a swipe at ethnic New Yorkers, Elmer Fudd is an attack on east coast White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, Yosemite Sam is an insult to Americans of the western states, and Wile E. Coyote is an insult to American ingenuity!
Guess you have never seen the "Superman" episode of Bugs Bunny. If you have, you would not say that Bugs Bunny / Looney Toons is anti-American. Quick summary - Bugs Bunny competes with Superman. At the end, BB says "here is the REAL Superman" - and he put on a US Marines uniform and started marching around.
Actually, one could be racist towards ones own people. Not saying anything about if the Swedish Chef is, I'm just saying that people can have prejudice towards people with the same skincolor.
I saw a episode of Opera, or some similar talk show, where african americans who had prejuidice against other african americans were interviewed. They thought blacks were naturally lazy and stupoid, and that they were the exception. It was sad to watch.
Not only is it possible to be racist to your own race, but being "of european descent" doesn't mean that he's of swedish descent. The entirity of Europe is not a single race. As years of racist discrimination across Europe would tell you.
Besides, it's established that he speaks "mock Swedish" anyway. And that it's his second language, his first being the decidedly way more racist "mock Japanese." (Let's not get into the can of worms that is the Muppet Show Japanese caricature debacle.)
"Most racist" should apply to something that advocates or gives underlying motives to the worst action, and since no one can be reasonably expected to see the Swedish Chef as a call to enslavement, ethnic cleansing, or genocide, I think our valued customer has lived a sheltered life.
Dork dork dork.
ReplyDeleteIgnorance is bliss.
ReplyDeleteOr, in this case, rage.
Anon @ 7:08: You just won the comments section.
ReplyDeleteHooray!
DeleteImagine living in a world were a Swedish Chef sketch would be the most racist thing you would ever hear.
ReplyDeleteHey now, Jim Henson LOVED the swedes.
ReplyDeleteI heard he watched "Sweden: Heaven and Hell" many, many times!
Mahna mahna, Trae?
ReplyDeleteDo doo do do do!
DeleteEven the Sweedish folks think the Sweedish Chef is funny!
ReplyDeleteIn Sweden he is called the German chef
ReplyDeleteIf the exact same premise used a black puppet and African cultural context, people would shit themselves.
ReplyDeleteExcept that it doesn't use a black puppet and African cultural context.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Swedes have been treated EXACTLY like various African peoples throughout history in various countries, so that's a very fair and rational analogy completely free of bias or stupidity.
And while we're at it, Loony Toons are anti-American: Bugs Bunny is clearly a swipe at ethnic New Yorkers, Elmer Fudd is an attack on east coast White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, Yosemite Sam is an insult to Americans of the western states, and Wile E. Coyote is an insult to American ingenuity!
ReplyDeleteGuess you have never seen the "Superman" episode of Bugs Bunny. If you have, you would not say that Bugs Bunny / Looney Toons is anti-American. Quick summary - Bugs Bunny competes with Superman. At the end, BB says "here is the REAL Superman" - and he put on a US Marines uniform and started marching around.
Deleteactually - sorry - meant to say "imitates" Superman....
DeleteRacist or not I doubt it's the most racist thing he's ever heard, unless this is his first time out into the world.
ReplyDeleteBesides, even if The Swedish Chef is racist that doesn't make it any less funny.
This boy obviously never saw the telephone pole sketch.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tiffman.com/bork.cgi
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, everybody.
Actually, the Swedish chef is based on a routine by early TV pioneer Ernie Kovacs.
ReplyDeleteJim Henson was a white guy of European descent. Can't be racist against your own people.
ReplyDeleteIt's called "xenophobia."
And I, for one, am SHOCKED by his mocking portrayal of a methamphetamine using, Swedish sous-chef.
Actually, one could be racist towards ones own people. Not saying anything about if the Swedish Chef is, I'm just saying that people can have prejudice towards people with the same skincolor.
DeleteI saw a episode of Opera, or some similar talk show, where african americans who had prejuidice against other african americans were interviewed. They thought blacks were naturally lazy and stupoid, and that they were the exception. It was sad to watch.
/Skytteflickan88 A.K.A. white Swedish chick
Not only is it possible to be racist to your own race, but being "of european descent" doesn't mean that he's of swedish descent. The entirity of Europe is not a single race. As years of racist discrimination across Europe would tell you.
DeleteIf anything, the Swedish Chef promoted acceptance of other cultures. He made spaghetti and meatballs, an Italian dish, all the time.
ReplyDeleteActually most Italians find serving meatballs with spaghetti very odd.
DeleteBesides, it's established that he speaks "mock Swedish" anyway. And that it's his second language, his first being the decidedly way more racist "mock Japanese." (Let's not get into the can of worms that is the Muppet Show Japanese caricature debacle.)
ReplyDeleteSince "Swedish" isn't a race, it clearly isn't racist. I think what he means is "offensive stereotype".
ReplyDeleteSomeone clearly needs to do some research on what race means, before posting....
DeleteReally? THAT'S the most racist thing he's ever heard? What kind of protective bubble does he live in?
ReplyDeleteSomeone once told me that only Ameocans could be racist. Unfortunately, that was the basis of an "apartheid was not racist or bad" argument.
ReplyDeleteThat actually might have been the most racist thig I've ever heard, since it somehow discriminates against everyone, even whites.
"Most racist" should apply to something that advocates or gives underlying motives to the worst action, and since no one can be reasonably expected to see the Swedish Chef as a call to enslavement, ethnic cleansing, or genocide, I think our valued customer has lived a sheltered life.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's as offensive as someone whose job revolves around reading, who still can't spell 'swedish' right.
ReplyDeleteThat's absolutely craaaaazy!
Delete"Brittish" was misspelled recently, and now "Sweedish." Could there be a trend emerging?
ReplyDeleteTypiccal Amerrican.
ReplyDeleteI assumed the typo was to try to describe how the guy pronounced it.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall Swedish being a race.
ReplyDeleteThen you need to do some research on what constitutes race (hint, it's not just the colour of your skin, the rest of the learning is up to you)
DeleteThe Swedish chief is pretty offensive.
ReplyDeleteTo Norwegians maybe. Since he speaks with a Norwegian accent.
DeleteLived In Sweden in the late 70's. They loved the Muppet Show and thought the Chef was hilarious.
ReplyDelete