Minoriteam is a cadre of five superheroes, who combat The White Shadow and his inept minions.

The press release avers that Minoriteam is “… a group of superheroes who uses racial stereotypes to fight racial stereotypes” and that “Using the power of racial stereotypes, they set out to destroy racism itself”. This is inherently nonsensical. Does this imply that some racial stereotypes can conquer others, and that the strongest (and logically most virulent) get to survive and propagate? If Minoriteam is eventually victorious and achieves its goal of destroying racism, don’t they then have to commit suicide? Alternatively, does a speedy African-American braggart with unlimited sexual appetites get to continue his reign as champion and representative of the race? Is a Jewish superhero enslaved by his uncontrollable passion for a giant nickel more desirable than a Racist Frankenstein? Finally, did men as intelligent as Mike Lazzo, Keith Crofford, and Nick Weidenfeld really take this pitch so uncritically?

In the end, Minoriteam is not very good, save for its throwback visuals. I am not accusing its creators of racism, because their show is not truly racist, merely careless and confused. Minoriteam is not shocking nor is it particularly funny, and is not even worthy of being controversial. I suppose that the operative definition would be sophomoric. The laughter it provides is equivalent to that experienced by a three year-old child who gets away with saying “cocky-doody” or something equally naughty. The point is, if shows that take serious shots at race, creed, and religion are now acceptable to televise, if the culture wars are over, if PC is truly dead and the public is ready to accept a new paradigm, then let us stop upholding the long-standing prohibitions against proscribed cartoons of yore.

Can some racial stereotypes conquer other racial stereotypes? That’s what Minoriteam wants us to believe. El Jefe (left) and Jewcano are two team members.

The battle to respect diversity seems to be over; the public has chosen to chortle instead. Coal Black, you can come out now, and you can bring your sebben friends with you. If Minoriteam can depict a fat, bossy black momma the size of Godzilla, surely we can see a Prince Chawmin’ with dice in place of his front teeth. Speedy Gonzales, meet El Jefe. I’m sure you’ll have a lot to share over a plate of Fritos; Friz Freleng’s Bandito will be serving them shortly. The Tin Pan Alley Cats can now perform on the island where Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips, and even Huey and Riley can take a break from the Boondocks to visit the Clean Pastures. Let’s go to Uncle Tom’s Cabana, you Big Heel-Watha and when we get there you can Scrub Me Mama with a Boogie Beat. Hit the vaults, crank up the digital restoration software, and let the DVDs play over the cries of “Racism!” Well… let’s slow down for just a moment and think this over.

Even in an area as odious as censorship, there cannot be double standards (like those surrounding the “classic” cartoons) lest the whole concept be exposed as a sham. I continue to support the release of previously banned material, as well as the new wave of racial, religious, and ethnic humor (yes, including Minoriteam) as long as there are appropriate disclaimers, judicious viewing hours, and discreet labeling of DVD covers. If this is what we think we are ready for, and today’s programming seems to suggest just that, then let us at least do it wisely and with a modicum of consideration.