Bugged by ‘Bugito’

Arlene Klasky’s “Santo Bugito” is a racist television cartoon series that targets children and patently conditions them to degrade and dehumanize Hispanic Americans. (“A Bug’s-Eye View in CBS’ ‘Santo Bugi” Calendar, Aug. 7). Klasky’s well-manipulated use of Hispanic American actors and consultants shows a conscious disregard for the ethnic pride of Hispanic children. If she truly cared about addressing the reality of Hispanic children, she could have created a cartoon series showing little homeboys and homegirls wearing Ivy League University sweat shirts studying and exploring the world around them. This is a much-needed image that would motivate children to do good and excel in life.

If this series showed Jewish people as rats, Jewish Americans would not tolerate it. Accordingly, they would voice their concerns and organize to discredit the reputation of Klasky as racist and anti-Semitic. One reason for this action would be their experience with the Holocaust.

In the Hispanic American community, the same must take place. Silence in the midst of racism is complicity. Therefore, we need to organize a comprehensive boycott against the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) and the racist sponsors supporting this series. If CBS’ executives are committed to showing a diverse television series that shows the reality of Hispanic-Americans, then it would do them good to show “American Scholars,” which is a television series showing Hispanic American children wearing Ivy League University sweat shirts.

GUS FRIAS

Downey