feature: positive black images – “5 cartoons of the 1970s that showed african-american casts in positive view”

Let’s take a short trip to the 1970s (via On The Black List)! OTBL have profiled five of that decade’s animated series that showed African-American Casts in a positive light: “At some point in time, we all take a moment to notice what type of cartoons are being aired on television. Whether it is to find something to entertain your young child, or just to see what the youth are watching today. For others, it might be you still enjoy watching cartoons from time to time. After all, most people grew up watching some type of cartoons on Saturday mornings. Regardless of the reason, it is quite natural to be curious. The 70s believe it or not, introduced several African-American cartoons that were interesting and depicted characters in a positive way.” Check out the five cartoons below.

By Alexander Aplerku, AFROPUNK Contributor

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JACKSON 5IVE

“The Jackson 5ive cartoon was the first cartoon to air with an all Black musician cast. The characters were depicted in a very positive way.”.

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ASTREA

“Astrea was the goddess of justice. She was also the first Black female superhero on a Saturday morning cartoon series, the ‘Space Sentinels’.”

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

“The Harlem Globetrotters was the first Black superhero team to appear in a Saturday morning cartoon series.”

FAT ALBERT AND THE COSBY KIDS

“The casts were a group of Black kids all about doing the right thing. The show was the longest running Black cast cartoon on Saturday mornings.”.

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BILLY JO JIVE

“Billy Jo Jive and his crime fighting buddy Smart Susie were created from children’s books by John Shearer […] The two friends would go around their neighborhood solving crimes.”