Rastamouse Branded “No Better Than The New Sambo – Golliwog In Drag”
Levi Roots, Benjamin Zephaniah and psychologist Delroy Constantine-Simms all have their say on CBeebies sensation Rastamouse.
It’s hard to keep up with all the Rastamouse controversy, we reported earlier this week that the show had already garnered a combined 101 complaints and now high-profile Rastafarians have been giving their opinion on the show with Reggae Reggae Sauce founder Levi Roots saying he doesn’t support the use of a mouse to represent his culture “I was asked to do the voice of the mouse, but I said no. I am a Rastafarian and I wouldn’t want to portray a Rastafarian as a mouse. For me it is about integrity.” he told The Mirror “I’d never portray a Rasta as a pig or a mouse as I don’t think the values of being a Rasta are served by that. If it was a lion that would be very different, a lion is strong symbol in Rastafarianism.” continuing “Personally, I do not support this representation of us. But we do need representation on TV and as this is the first it should be given a chance. People need to decide whether it is right or wrong for themselves. I have seven children and I would most certainly not want them to watch this show.”
Benjamin Zephaniah was more contemplative about the show: “It’s not the greatest representation of the community, and the accents are not very accurate – probably because people wouldn’t understand a real one. But it’s the first, so of course it is going to attract criticism. The fact that he’s a mouse isn’t great. If you asked the community 99% would want a lion, but so would English football fans.” finishing “On the whole, I’d rather have Rastamouse than not.”
Controversially, in the same Mirror article psychologist Delroy Constantine-Simms called Rastamouse “no better than the new Sambo – golliwog in drag” continuing “No other ethnic group in Britain would allow their religion to be represented by a rodent. Can you imagine a Jewish person writing Jewie the Crime Fighting Pig? Or a follower of the Hindu faith endorsing Hindi the Crime Fighting Cow? Or a book from a Muslim writer titled Jihad Jane? It just would not happen.”
Rastamouse has already been licensed the in Poland, Australia, Canada and Israel and is set for a merchandise range as well as pop career following a record deal with EMI.
It’s hard to keep up with all the Rastamouse controversy, we reported earlier this week that the show had already garnered a combined 101 complaints and now high-profile Rastafarians have been giving their opinion on the show with Reggae Reggae Sauce founder Levi Roots saying he doesn’t support the use of a mouse to represent his culture “I was asked to do the voice of the mouse, but I said no. I am a Rastafarian and I wouldn’t want to portray a Rastafarian as a mouse. For me it is about integrity.” he told The Mirror “I’d never portray a Rasta as a pig or a mouse as I don’t think the values of being a Rasta are served by that. If it was a lion that would be very different, a lion is strong symbol in Rastafarianism.” continuing “Personally, I do not support this representation of us. But we do need representation on TV and as this is the first it should be given a chance. People need to decide whether it is right or wrong for themselves. I have seven children and I would most certainly not want them to watch this show.”
Benjamin Zephaniah was more contemplative about the show: “It’s not the greatest representation of the community, and the accents are not very accurate – probably because people wouldn’t understand a real one. But it’s the first, so of course it is going to attract criticism. The fact that he’s a mouse isn’t great. If you asked the community 99% would want a lion, but so would English football fans.” finishing “On the whole, I’d rather have Rastamouse than not.”
Controversially, in the same Mirror article psychologist Delroy Constantine-Simms called Rastamouse “no better than the new Sambo – golliwog in drag” continuing “No other ethnic group in Britain would allow their religion to be represented by a rodent. Can you imagine a Jewish person writing Jewie the Crime Fighting Pig? Or a follower of the Hindu faith endorsing Hindi the Crime Fighting Cow? Or a book from a Muslim writer titled Jihad Jane? It just would not happen.”
Rastamouse has already been licensed the in Poland, Australia, Canada and Israel and is set for a merchandise range as well as pop career following a record deal with EMI.
Posted 16th March 2011 by Fonzi Neutron
How is the language issue represented?
The language issue is represented by three different quotes from individual speakers, Levi Roots, Benjamin Zephaniah, whom themselves are Rastafarians, and a psychologist Delroy Constantine-Simms. All of whom have quite negative things to say about the subject. Rastamouse is described in a highly opposing manner with such things being thrown around as "I do not support this representation of us" and "be represented by a rodent". With the word "rodent" being used instead of mouse it brings with it more weak and unfavourable connotations.
How does the author represent him/herself and others?
The author of this article is perhaps against the idea of this program as he starts with how many complaints that the show has gathered and only at the very end does he say of the programs success. It was a mere sentence compared to the three huge paragraphs filled with negativity for the program. He also seems to take side with the Rastafarians when they say that they do not wish to be depicted in such a way.
How does the author shape the readers response?
The author shapes the readers response by making them question whether they would wish for their culture, race etc... to be portrayed in such a derogatory way. If they would like it if they themselves were to be characterised as a "rodent" so small and powerless instead of a lion that holds great power and is seen as strong and independent.
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