I think it’s a stylistic use of black. The two frames where the woman and child are closer to the foreground they appear with normal skin tones. when they recede, they take on a silhouette sort of look. the color being prominent to distinguish who they are. I don’t really think there was anything demeaning in it.
Apparently, the Barbadian woman and daughter would not understand what Elly tried to tell them about Elly’s kids while Barbadian woman put sarong on Elly’s. Maybe Barbadian had their own native language or use English to speak ?
I wondered how long it would take for Elly to ruin her vacation by feeling guilty regarding leaving the kids behind so that she could have some much needed one-on-one, r. and r. time with her husband! What’s it been? 24 hours … maybe?!?
i’m reading through these comments, and i’m amazed that ppl are trying to make duck into a bad guy for pointing out something that’s very obvious to anyone who can see. now…one’s opinion about why the white people have features & are colored the same in each frame, regardless of foreground/background…yet the black people are sometimes brown with features or all black without features….sure your opinion about why that’s happening is up for debate. but the fact that it’s happening in this strip…how could you debate that? in the 1st frame, the white customer has features, the black woman doesn’t, yet the white woman is in the background. in the 2nd frame, both mom & daughter are all black with no features, yet they’re right beside ellie, who DOES have features. that’s obvious.
why is the person who points it out being painted as a commenter who just wants to be negative? what would be wrong with you all acknowledging that there is something being done differently with the black characters? you could still debate that it’s artistic. but to act like there’s something wrong with calling it out…sounds & feels a lot like you have the privilege of not noticing…or that you’re in some kind of denial that feels more comfortable to you, & you don’t appreciate duck rocking your comfort zone. so you attacked him/her.
this is only a comic. i’d be interested to see how much you don’t notice how people/color/complexion are handled differently in real life…. or how often you get irritated when someone points out that there is a difference in the way ppl are being treated based on skin tone. something to think about…
i could argue that this is very similar to the uses of black face in entertainment. i could also argue how it’s not exactly the same. however, i’d love to hear the artist’s reasoning behind this use of color & facelessness. maybe she didn’t even realize the messages it would send. maybe she didn’t do it purposely. maybe she wanted the black ppl to seem mysterious. maybe it was actually some kind of hidden compliment. meanwhile, all of our opinions are valid, based on the facts of how this strip was drawn. the fact also remains that when we are socialized a certain way…sometimes our perceptions show up in ways that tell what we’ve been socialized to think. maybe this is a Freudian slip. or maybe it was an honest mistake, & the artist didn’t have any black girlfriends to warn her, “girrrrrl, you better rethink that use of color & facial detail!”
Dkram over 13 years ago
Ellie Wuvs her kids, and John too.
\\//_
lightenup Premium Member over 13 years ago
It’s hard not to miss them, no matter how much you know you should relax and enjoy your time away.
And how many times have you bought something on vacation that looked great there, and when you came home, you never wore it again?
wwcameralab over 13 years ago
howtheduck
I think it’s a stylistic use of black. The two frames where the woman and child are closer to the foreground they appear with normal skin tones. when they recede, they take on a silhouette sort of look. the color being prominent to distinguish who they are. I don’t really think there was anything demeaning in it.
Nelly55 over 13 years ago
that is NOT the same thing as blackface………..good grief
JanLC over 13 years ago
don’t mind “duck” he’s determined to be negative about this strip. best just to ignore him.
mirthiful over 13 years ago
I agree Jan.
And Lightenup… I have that same sarong she has that I bought in the Bahamas and have never worn since…. :)
summerdog86 over 13 years ago
Elly looks nice in her pretty new sarong. There’s snow somewhere in 49 of the states. I don’ t think we will be wearing one anytime soon.
Wildmustang1262 over 13 years ago
Apparently, the Barbadian woman and daughter would not understand what Elly tried to tell them about Elly’s kids while Barbadian woman put sarong on Elly’s. Maybe Barbadian had their own native language or use English to speak ?
Gretchen's Mom over 13 years ago
I wondered how long it would take for Elly to ruin her vacation by feeling guilty regarding leaving the kids behind so that she could have some much needed one-on-one, r. and r. time with her husband! What’s it been? 24 hours … maybe?!?
lindz.coop Premium Member over 13 years ago
Well, she has had enough time to get over that horrendous sunburn.
rugratz2222 over 13 years ago
A saroung on a tan woman … wife had several … great for getting out of shower and leave the rest of the clothes for later … ;-)
mediationdiva over 13 years ago
i’m reading through these comments, and i’m amazed that ppl are trying to make duck into a bad guy for pointing out something that’s very obvious to anyone who can see. now…one’s opinion about why the white people have features & are colored the same in each frame, regardless of foreground/background…yet the black people are sometimes brown with features or all black without features….sure your opinion about why that’s happening is up for debate. but the fact that it’s happening in this strip…how could you debate that? in the 1st frame, the white customer has features, the black woman doesn’t, yet the white woman is in the background. in the 2nd frame, both mom & daughter are all black with no features, yet they’re right beside ellie, who DOES have features. that’s obvious.
why is the person who points it out being painted as a commenter who just wants to be negative? what would be wrong with you all acknowledging that there is something being done differently with the black characters? you could still debate that it’s artistic. but to act like there’s something wrong with calling it out…sounds & feels a lot like you have the privilege of not noticing…or that you’re in some kind of denial that feels more comfortable to you, & you don’t appreciate duck rocking your comfort zone. so you attacked him/her.
this is only a comic. i’d be interested to see how much you don’t notice how people/color/complexion are handled differently in real life…. or how often you get irritated when someone points out that there is a difference in the way ppl are being treated based on skin tone. something to think about…
LFate over 13 years ago
Duck, it is still not the same as Black Face. Don’t make this more than it is.
mediationdiva over 13 years ago
i could argue that this is very similar to the uses of black face in entertainment. i could also argue how it’s not exactly the same. however, i’d love to hear the artist’s reasoning behind this use of color & facelessness. maybe she didn’t even realize the messages it would send. maybe she didn’t do it purposely. maybe she wanted the black ppl to seem mysterious. maybe it was actually some kind of hidden compliment. meanwhile, all of our opinions are valid, based on the facts of how this strip was drawn. the fact also remains that when we are socialized a certain way…sometimes our perceptions show up in ways that tell what we’ve been socialized to think. maybe this is a Freudian slip. or maybe it was an honest mistake, & the artist didn’t have any black girlfriends to warn her, “girrrrrl, you better rethink that use of color & facial detail!”
volunteers to scan her strips b4 they go to print