“OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES”

With Katrina Spencer, from theGraduate School of Library and Information Science

• Comparative study

• According to comics, “yesterday” kids were playing jacks and skipping rope. Today, in their depictions, they are as aware, engaged and involved as adults in social justice and critical thought.

• The idea of “the child” and what s/he understand and treats has evolved.

PEANUTS BY CHARLES

SCHULZ, 1950

ON SNOOPY

ON SUPPORT

• Peanuts– Iconic– Innocuous– Innocent– In other words, safe

THE BOONDOCKS BY AARON MCGRUDER, 1996

ON THE KU KLUX KLAN

ON GANGSTER RAP

• The Boondocks– In your face–Bold–Daring–Unflinching–Threatening–Charged

A TURMA DA MONICA, BY MAURICIO DE SOUSA, 1959

Mônica: No! No! No!Cascão: Come back here!Cebolinha: I w-w-want another one!

ON SUNBURN

ON SELF-ACCEPTANCE

Girl: Pull me out of here! I don’t know how to swim!Anésio: Relax! Just grab on to my nose!Monica: That nose is a hero!

• A turma da Mônica–Playful–Safe–Local–Familiar• Politically charged at all? Neutered.

ARMANDINHO BY ALEXANDRE BECK, 2013

Armandinho: Dad, what’s “machismo”?Faith: “Machismo” is an illusion that some people have about—Armandinho: Don’t get in the middle of this, Faith– this is men’s talk!

ON SEXISM

Armandinho: May the corrupt and their accomplices be punished… and our politicians be shamed!Armandinho: May honesty, equality and justice prevail over money and power…All: We have a dream!

ON DREAMS

• Armandinho–Political– International–Critical–Cosmopolitan

MAFALDA BY QUINO, 1964

SHAMELESS PLUG