Family Guy, an animated sitcom produced by Seth MacFarlane, has humored millions of viewers since it first premiered in 1999. It captivates viewers through its satirical content, which not only tackles issues that are prominent and relevant to its audience, but also entertains them. Despite the initial cancellations of the show, Family Guy has successfully been revived and continues to maintain steady viewership. Matter of fact, it has been nominated for numerous Emmys, the most notable being Outstanding Comedy Series. It also won a multitude of awards for best Animated Show.
The show continues to successfully address topics in a humorous and insightful way and is currently airing its fourteenth season. One topic that Family Guy frequently satirizes is racism/white supremacy. Family Guy has an interesting take on satirizing this theme, which in turn differentiates the show from other similar animated sitcoms. It sheds light on a new perspective and highlights key points that are typically overlooked. In addition, the show does not hesitate to challenge stereotypes and start controversies. The show is committed to providing fresh and unique insights of an issue.
In the episode, “Baby Got Black,” for example, Family Guy challenges the established notions of racism and white supremacy. It does this by shifting the focus from what society has (developed us to believe? to what we should believe)…. SOMETHING. what normally society focuses on to what is actually important/overlooked. It’s hard to believe the popular cartoon was once considered a failed rip-off of “The Simpsons” and left for dead. Fox premiered the edgy-animated comedy in 1999 and cancelled it in 2003 after three seasons among multiple controvercies stemming from criticism that it was too offensive for network television.
Network brass changed their minds after “Family Guy” DVD sales went through the roof and a well-rated run of syndication airings on Adult Swim. Fox brought the Griffin family in 2005 and the show is still going 12 Emmy nominations later. It sheds light on a new perspective because rather than focusing on the obvious ideas that have already been established, the producers of Family Guy satirize the issue by highlighting the less prominent issues, which proves to be quite insightful and intriguing. Typically, when the issue of racism/white supremacy is addressed, the focus is always on how white people are dominant and powerful.
Family Guy, doesn’t do that, but instead focuses on how white people actually fucking SUCK ASS and that in some cases, it’s the black people that are racist. three seasons among multiple controversies stemming from criticism that it was too offensive for network television. Racism/white supremacy is a theme that has been satirized on multiple occasions throughout the fourteen seasons of Family Guy. Each time it is addressed, the producers of the show always take a different approach from other shows, that provides a fresh and unique insight on the theme.
For white supremacy, in particular, the producers tend to focus on how white people are not nearly as dominating and powerful as they are put out to be, and how in some instances, it is the black people that are racist. Throughout the clips that I will discuss (FUCKING FIX THIS), it becomes clear that white people are not that great at all. OKAY FUCK THIS PARAGRAPH. (OMG YOU NEED TO INCLUDE QUOTES GOD HELP ME) —- “But instead, Jerome turns out to be the racist one, claiming he doesn’t want his daughter dating a white boy” (Thurm). (ALSO TALK ABOUT CHARACTERS, INTRODUCE THEM).
Baby Got Black,” the eighteenth episode of the twelfth season of Family Guy, is a notable episode in which racism/white supremacy is satirized. The episode’s plot centers around Peter’s son, Chris, and Jerome’s daughter, Pam. Chris and Pam develop an interest in one another and start a blossoming romance. However, the plot thickens when Jerome discovers their relationship and sternly disapproves of it because he doesn’t “want Pam dating a white boy” (“Baby Got Black” 9:10-9:12). This particular scene sheds light on a scenario that is not frequently seen.
In most cases, it is the white person that is racist toward the black person because that is what we are accustomed to as a society. However, it is not the case in this scenario and “Jerome turns out to be the racist one” (Thurm). After hearing Jerome’s remarks, Peter goes on to say, “Jerome, you’re a racist,” to which Jerome responds, “Black people can’t be racist” (“Baby Got Black” 9:12-9:22). This is significant because as a society, we put a great amount of emphasis on how white people are the superior race and black people are the inferior minority because that is how it is laid out in our history.
There is no doubt that this was once a valid ideology but we have departed from such thinkings so having this mindset in the present time is flawed. It is highly problematic because it has come to a point where we may overlook or even permit a black person to be racist because they have been oppressed for centuries therefore making their actions justified. By highlighting this act of racism in a black person, Family Guy allows viewers to clearly see the double standard we have established without even realizing it.
It influences viewers to reconsider how they treat racism amongst groups of people and to actively challenge stereotypes. Racism is unacceptable no matter who is involved. In the same episode, Family Guy pushes more boundaries in a controversial manner when addressing the issue of white supremacy. Peter is particularly baffled by how much Jerome despises white people that he takes it upon himself to prove to Jerome that white people are not all “terrible” and “have done a lot of good things for the world” (“Baby Got Black 11:42-11:46).
He goes into a musical number titled, “Thank The Whites,” which lists all the so called wonderful contributions white people have made to greater society. Shortly after Peter begins the number, it becomes evident that the piece is entirely satirical and is meant to mock white people because the “good things” that are mentioned are trivial and virtually worthless. White people have undeniably made worthy and noble contributions to society, but Family Guy purposely selects those of lesser value and those that are not valued accomplishments.
A couple of the contributions Peter mentions are, “Justin Bieber,” “clothing from J. Crew,” “the cast of Friends,” and “Ray Ban glasses” (“Baby Got Black” 11:53-13:15). Evidently, the contributions that are referred to are fairly insignificant. Family Guy then goes the extra mile to exaggerate the piece when Peter sings, “You know you don’t thank the Lord, you thank the whites” (“Baby Got Black” 11:53-13:15). Through this line, Family Guy pushes the boundaries and makes a bold yet effective statement. It implies that white people are superior to religious figures and truly dominate society.
To most people, it is quite apparent that this song is a major exaggeration with little to no truth in it. But, shockingly enough, there are white supremacists that genuinely believe that white people dominant and control society. Through this tune, Family Guy effectively ridicules white supremacists because they are the type of people to believe that their race should be accredited for minor inventions such as “Ray Ban glasses. ” By extending the whites’ power above a religious figure, Family Guy makes it very evident how foolish it is to think that like.
You can really that its really a load of shit. But, by putting all the silly contributions into a musical jingle, it becomes enjoyable/funny/satirical and we can see like wow “this really is a load of bogus” the contributions whites made are insigificant and certainly not worthy enough that “you don’t thank the Lord, you thank the whites” The musical number exaggerates by saying things like “dont thank the lord, thank the whites” so clearly see how whites suck and they should not be placed on a pedestal as they are by white supremacists.
White supremacy is a major issue. and tackles a quite controversial topic. Family guy goes the extra mile and even says “don’t thank the lord, thank the whites” for an extra punch. Racism/White supremacy is an issue that is still relevant today. It is constantly affecting our lives and there are all these campaigns blahblahblah. You know, we gotta take time to recount on our actions and really reevaluate our society because it is greatly flawed.
To this day, we put so much emphasis on white supremacists, but the reality is that white people aren’t hot shit and that blacks if they don’t want to be a minority anymore, should be treated just like anyone else. Stereotypes have to be looked PAST. A reason for Family Guy’s success is that they constantly cross boundaries and tackle issues in different ways, which may even be controversial. But in turn, viewers can really learn from the show because it offers new insights that are usually not considered.