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Here’s a funny (though perhaps more of a tragic funny than a “ha-ha” funny) take on Arizona’s new immigration law: protesters have been using doctored photos of beloved bilingual children’s character “Dora the Explorer” as a way of driving home their concerns for how the legislation may encourage racial profiling and unfair treatment of Latinos.
Check out the Associated Press article for more on this trend, and Faith in Public Life for a round-up of news stories about how religious leaders and groups have been pushing for immigration reform.
My $.02? Hmmm. Well, when it comes to referencing children’s television programs to make political points, at least Dora’s ethnicity is more relevant to her character – a Latina who teaches Spanish as well as English — than speculating about her sexuality, right? I’d rather hear debates about Dora’s immigration status than any more ridiculous theories about the sexual orientations of Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie, the Teletubbies’ Tinky Winky, etc. Of course, even better would be to just leave the kids’ cartoons, muppets and puppets where they belong: in the Land of Make Believe, safely beyond the realm of silly grown-up arguments about politics and religion. (Though, I have been known to draw comparisons between Satan and a certain little furry red monster…)
What do you think?
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posted May 21, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Based on her accent, I always assumed Dora was basically American born & bread (how silly and presumptuous of me!) How long has she been residing in Arizona (or other whereabouts) illegally? What’s her native land? I’ve never thought about it until know. With all the exploring she does it’s hard to imagine her staying too long in any one place, so why would she need a green card or naturalized citizenship anyway?
posted May 24, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Hahahaha, isn’t Dora from Peru or Ecuador, she got beat up in Mexico for crossing the border trying to come to the US.
posted May 25, 2010 at 3:43 pm
How can Islam claim to be the “religion of peace” and support Jihad?
Buddhist temples and images were defaced in Afghanistan long ago by Muslims and I am sure the Dalai Lama is aware of that.
Of course, if we all submitted to Islam and became Muslims there would be no need for religious wars. We could all live happily ever after under a worldwide Caliphate. And Sharia Law would ensure justice for all. Praise Allah!