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Canada seems like a nice enough place. Clean. A functional health care system. Poutine. I’ve never had any desire to live there though. AMERICA FOR AMERICAS! Just kidding. But, seriously, if I wanted to live in a place that was some weird hybrid between the United States, Western Europe, and Permanent Winter I wouldn’t, that sounds weird and cold. Now I am singing a different tune, though, thanks to their new children’s television show, Rastamouse!, about a felt reggae mouse on a skateboard. I’m super into Canada all of a sudden, because that shit is hilarious. Let’s all move there and have children and make our children watch Rastamouse! but do a really bad job of explaining it. Then, when we get bored, we can just put our babies in a free Canadian orphanage and move back to America for season 2 of Justified!
“You know, Gabe, you could just watch the first episode of Rastamouse! after the jump and save yourself the trouble of moving to Canada and starting a family.” HUSH! Go pack your suitcase full of flannel shirts!
Hahahha. Oh, Rastamouse! You’re basically the reason that my make-believe baby is so good at hunting moose! (How do you say “well, this post really went off the rails!” in Candian?) (Thanks for the tip, @bridgetorr.)
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Canada is the only thing separating Sarah Palin from the rest of America, so when you add Rastamouse to their credentials, I really think they deserve some sort of award or something. ALL the Juno Awards.
Once again, Eek-A-Mouse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Qe0W2BEEM
RASTAMOUSE CREATES MASSIVE RACE ROW IN THE UK
http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=18933
To be fair, most Canadians have no idea what a black person is.
Ahem…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Underground_Railroad
You can take our fresh water and mock our accents, but please don’t knock the multiculturalism thing.
Also, please enjoy our “pay no tax” specials on softwood lumber.
Are you serious? Canada has given us so many talented/interesting people:
Rae Dawn Chong
Fefe Dobson
Aubrey Graham AKA Drake
…and I’m sure some other people.
Wait, other people have heard of Fefe Dobson? I thought she was just someone that MuchMusic wanted me to believe was successful, I never figured she actually WAS.
We have pictures of coloured people in our wallets, thankyouverymuch.
(literally).
Gobblegirl for the WIN.
Jah eh?
I get it, rastas stereotypically smoke weed and no sober person created this
Is it horribly racist of me to think that this is horribly racist?
I was unsure if it was racist, I’m leaning towards Nova Scotia
This is as racist as Rastafarians are murderously homophobic. How about we say fuck all of them and the dumbass beanie hats they rode in on.
You crybabies have gotten out of hand. What could you possibly find that’s racist about this?
Cheese = Weed, right?
“Me cheese! It’s all gone” = I’m saying this to everyone I have ever known ever.
I am having a hard time with the reply button today.
These Tom Hanks animals are hysterical!
Godsauce, this deserves all the upvotes ever.
Sure, except when I smoke cheese I don’t have an insatiable urge to eat all of the weed in my fridge.
Meanwhile in Jamaica, the kids are watching a show about an anthropomorphic mouse that plays hockey, hunts caribou, and eats backbacon.
Does the mouse protest usage-based billing?
#CanadaGum
Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up it’s Rastamouse time!
Gotta give it up for the Easy Crew
These mice totally live in Kensington Market.
#TorontoGum
Here in Canada mice might sometimes speak with Jamaican accents but there are no such thing as palm trees.
But that ruins my hilarious image of running into Rastamouse at Cheese Magic!
Oh, but there are on southern Vancouver Island. My parents just moved there and I was /shocked/ at what I saw in one of the garden stores.
I think I saw them gnawing on the Blue Banana. #TorontoGum
This guy’s character is sadly written off in the second episode.
Don’t worry, this joke wasn’t really much funnier when image-embed actually worked.
New flag? New flag.
O Rastamouse!
P.S. Gabe, if you ever do want to move to Canada, can I walk Birdie sometimes?
Orphans!
“Excuse me, Ma’am, Sir, would you mind not rollerblading and roller skating in the President’s mansion. Thank you.”
Hold up a second. This isn’t Canadian, its WELSH! Canada is the CBC, this is the CBBC the Children’s BBC.
Also, I’m a super white dude (Finland FOREVER) who lives a 4 minute walk from Jane-Finch.
#Torontogum
Perhaps the first clue was the giant BBC logo in the upper left. #detectivegum!
Jane-Finch??? And you’re still alive? We’ve heard stories down at Bathurst and Bloor, man… Not pretty.
More T-Dot Monsters! Hooray!
Cool ‘hood, Ice Hole Nation. I’m a Dundas and Spadina gal.
Why did this get downvoted?
T-Dot Monsters in the east end throw your hands up!
…. No? I know, I know. It’s like there’s an invisible barrier preventing people from going east of Yonge.
#TheBeachesGum
I think the barrier is a visible barrier and it is a barrier made up of crackheads.
But once you get east of Sherbourne, the east end is pretty rad. Ever been to Tango Palace?
#LittleItalyGum!
Bridle Path reperzentin’ here.
Bridle Path? You rich.
I always thought Jane and Finch seemed fine?
#livedinTorontoforalittlewhile
I lived at Jane/Finch when I went to York, yo! I always figured I was pretty safe as a white girl student just trying to get by! Anybody shootin at me would have all the media! So, HA!
Now I live in the Westside of Toronto and have to say one thing to my fellow Toronto Monsters, *ahem*
SNOW DAY!
Okay, guys. I think some sort of Toronto meet-up is in order.
It most definitely is!
#littleportugalgum
At first, I was doubtful this was going to be the Snowpocalypse we were promised. And now… OK. You got me, Snowpocalypse. It is really fucking snowing.
Torontogum meetup for sure! Let’s bond over permanent winter and put our babies in free orphanages for the evening while we drink beer, eh?
West end represent! So west in fact some might call it Mississauga. #NotascoolasTorontogum
Yep. It is British – therefore ruining the anecdote. Gabe’s gonna need to add a lot of Lorry jokes.
I think it’s a Canada/UK co-production, a fairly common set-up in kids’ TV.
You are most likely correct. I stand humbled and embarrassed.
S’all good. l think you can be forgiven for not knowing the ins and outs of international financing models in public broadcasting.
Through a little detective gum work, its is distributed by DHX Media, but produced by the WELSH. Should have done my research before my snarky comment, especially since I worked in the Toronto television industry for 4 YEARS. Now I just have a mortgage and a used Audi.
#brokendreamsgum
Except it’s NOT a Canadian British co-production. Just British. This entire Canadian thing was only ever a mistake on Gabe’s part.
Aw shit. I’m wrong. You’re right. Canadian production company. Sorry! Downvotes to me!
“When I saw CBBC, I just assumed the chyron guy had a stammer.” – Gabe
Mice have mercy!
How does this show exist without the involvement of Jamaican musical superstar and all around awesome dude Eek-A-Mouse? U DUN GOOFED, CANADA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Qe0W2BEEM
Seriously!
I thought I was the only one who enjoyed Eek-A-Mouse’s photographic displays. This must be what it feels like when doves cry!!!
Okay, the most exciting part as a Canadian were the tiny roller-skates.
There’s a Canadian in our dimebag… mon. We want free pot for life.
Efff spanish
kids needs to learn dem some rastafari
The show’s website explains that the dialog is written in “a combination of English, Street, and Patois.”
(And lest you think that one *can’t* study Jamaican Patois in school, either linguistically or through its literature, let me assure you that you are mistaken [link] )
My favorite character was the mouse with the Jamaican accent.
[Joint Select Committee of the Parliament of Jamaica joke]
That was a reply to Grrg, grrr.
RASTA MOUSE SPARK RACISIM ROWN IN THE UK
http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=18933
On February 4th 2011 the BBC decided to air Rastamouse! The new series has been widely publicized and applauded, but it also interesting to note that the media and Black community who so revere Bob Marley were silent in respect of acknowledging February 6th 2011 Marley’s 66th birthday.
The airing of RASTAMOUSE, by the BBC is nothing more than the covert perpetuation of a negative ideology that serves to assert the inferiority of Caribbean culture group; often perpetrated by financially and disinherited representatives from the targeted group, in this instance it is the author of RASTAMOUSE, who have typically been enabled to sell their product using the resources of an oppressing ethnic group, in this instance the culturally European dominated and controlled BBC media group.
What I find interesting, is that we complained about the Trident chewing gum adverts because of the over exaggerated Caribbean accent and the association of Trident with Black on Black violence. We also had issues with the Black Milky Bar Kid who is normally white! While Ali G was considered a parody of Black stereotypes taken on by other communities, RASTAMOUSE is no better than the new Sambo! Golliwog in drag! No ethnic group in Britain would allow their religion to be represented by a RODENT.
Let’s think about it. Can you ever imagine a Jewish person writing a book called “Jewie the crime fighting pig” A follower of the Hindi faith endorsing a book called “ Hindi the crime fighting Cow!” Worse still a book penned “ Jihad Jane”. No it just would not happen! Rastafarianism is usually represented by a lion or royalty not a RODENT, but for some reason, the misguided author chose a RODENT! Don’t mention Mickey Mouse in the equation! Have you ever seen a Black and White Mouse? But interestingly, this RASTAMOUSE is grey, like the real thing!
What I find so shameful is the number of educated Black people who are laud praise on the BBC for providing such an “innovative” children’s programme the BBC. Worse still they are excusing the programme by suggesting that it will somehow aid the process of breaking down racial stereotypes. Worse still they even suggest that RASTAMOUSE will provide more opportunities for struggling black authors.
As far as I am concerned it will reinforce negative stereotypes in the worst possible way. The introduction of RASTAMOUSE has given children more playground fodder to indoctrinate young children into thinking that people with Caribbean accents and Rastafarianism is something to be mocked! In essence! Worse still it has given the intellectual racist more ammunition to attack us. RASTAMOUSE should be withdrawn as a LION not a RODENT.
By association, the implied term is Rastas are as common as rats ie vermins. Before…re you know it, they’ll have the rat singing one of Bob Marley’s songs. At this point , I suppose we must applause. Forget it. I’m a TV license payer and I don’t need my money being spent in this way
We are constantly crying out for positive programming regarding black people.
The BBC have responded by giving us RASTAMOUSE. As far as I am concerned the psychological trap has been set! In this instance the airing of RASTAMOUSE is the BAIT! That has been offered to appease us and thus keeping us trapped in a state of perpetual ignorance through entertainment! It works EVERY TIME! We ask for CAKE but we are grateful for the crumbs!
The Author of RASTAMOUSE’s response to criticism regarding the programme is nothing more than a Public Relations Squeak! I am not impressed, let alone convinced by his response. De Souza says he’s not surprised that some black people have been unimpressed by the show. What did he expect! A round of applause! In this instance! RASTAMOUSE has a pack of WARFARIN supported by a sticky mat or MOUSE TRAP waiting for him! Let me tell you why!
He is denial and is projecting his disappointment of being criticised at people who are so called jealous of his work. Let me make it very clear. This is not a Crabs in the Barrel response. The response is based on the fact that Mr De Souza is being short sighted about the whole issue of RASTAFARI representation, including people from the Caribbean.
Mr De Souza has claimed that “Being a Rasta myself, there’s no way I would project myself in a bad light. His name is Rastamouse and yes, there are influences of Rasta in his character and they are all positive things. As I have stated before! No other cartoon has had such a direct link to a religion, ethnic group or movement. Regardless of his denial, anyone with common sense will see differently! The mere fact he has RASTA next to mouse speaks volumes! The programme may not have any religious connotations to it, but the moral thread runs through it like all children’s programmes. The message from RASTAMOUSE is simple! You may be a crime fighter, but you love music, but you can’t go a day without your CHEESE!
Those who refuse to see or fail to see or can’t see, have no idea how the seeds of our self image are planted in terms our self esteem and self perception. Most adults are able to recognise the negative undercurrents in such programmes, but sadly, even less understand the impact. One only has to look at Ali G! We all laughed with him, but trust me the producers, Ali G included, was laughing at US!
While RASTAMOUSE is just the new face of negative programming, produced for us and targeted at us, very few of us are thinking about the consequences of having children brought up with such symbolic representations. Think about the Golliwog, Sambo and Minstrels. The producers of these products all used the same language of fun, bit the negative message is very clear. The BBC have set the standard, but the authors have accepted less! Just because the author is black and RASTAFARI, cannot and does not mitigate his argument that the book is some sort of key to multiculturalism tool that can be used to instil tolerance and reinforce tolerance among children, who will eventually become more tolerant adults! I think not!
I agree there are more important issues to address, but as a psychologist, I am focusing on concerns that I qualified to speak about and address. My concern with RASTAMOUSE or any other programme like it, is that material that does not portray us as dangerous, exotic, or comedians are rarely produced. Instead we are expected to settle for substandard programmes and support them uncritically, because the author happens to be Black and RASTA! This is not a show that the Black community should be proud of in the least. My stance applies to dancehall, slack music videos and more. Why are there any programmes on TV that portray as positive, progressive? There are no positive images for us to attach ourselves with.
RASTAMOUSE is hard to separate from the stereotypes that already exist, albeit is subtle and sanitized. He may claim that the character is not human, that is not the point. The fact of the matter is that the author uses signifiers such as music, accent and so more much. The very things that ordinary Mouse would not do. I stand by my assertion, that the association with RASTA and Mouse is a serious error of judgement. The author tried to make comparisons with Stuart Little! Please! Nice try! But that has failed. While Stuart Little was humanised by the family! No such attempt has been made with RASTA MOUSE!
What I have found to be the case with the mouse in question, is they are consistently portrayed as smart and articulate and none stereotypical. Yet RASTAMOUSE is portrayed through a Jim Davidson accent by Ghanaian with a a Jafake-an accent that is ear cringing to say the least! Comedian Jim Davidson, who is English has a much better mastery of the Caribbean than Ghanaian TV presenter Reggie Yates.
The author makes the following reference “He continues: “You hear these reports of how young boys of Caribbean descent aren’t interested in reading. But we’ve gone to schools with the Rastamouse books and they’ve really encouraged young boys to get into reading”. Where did he get his evidence? What reports is he citing? There is so much evidence which suggests otherwise. Clearly is PR people have advised him badly! Mr De Souza. like so many other artists, he has exchanged commonsense, integrity for the BBC pound. That does fine, but at least be honest about it.
The writers Davina Hamilton says “Give the show half a chance and it really will bring out the child in you”. I am hoping that RASTAMOUSE will enjoy the ample supply of WARFARIN waiting for him in the form of CHEESE!
Delroy Constantine-Simms
Chartered Psychologist
Think Doctor Assessments
420 The High Road
Tottenham
Haringey
N17 9JB
CELL 07538095165