Ebony White

Ebony White is a character from the comics series The Spirit, created by Will Eisner. He is a African-American boy sidekick to Denny Colt, the title character. He drives a taxi and frequently helps the Spirit out of tough situations.

Related Topics:
Comics - The Spirit - Will Eisner - African-American - Sidekick - Taxi

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The appearance and characterisation of White (especially early in the series) is probably the most common criticism of the generally acclaimed strip. The character is cited as one of many examples of racist stereotypes in mainstream 20th century United States culture. His name is a racial pun, and his facial features - including large white eyes and thick pinkish lips - are typical of racial pickaninny caricatures popular throughout the "Jim Crow" era. As a loyal assistant to the white hero, he has been compared to the Uncle Tom stereotype.

Related Topics:
Racist - Stereotype - 20th century - United States - Pun - Pickaninny - Jim Crow - Uncle Tom

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On the other hand, the character is also sometimes cited as breaking new ground, as a likeable recurring character at a time when black characters of any kind were uncommon in comics. The character also developed as the series progressed, becoming less like the cowardly and dim-witted stereotype. Eisner reported receiving letters of both praise and criticism for the character at the time.

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Eisner later expressed mixed feelings about his portrayal of Ebony White. He acknowledged that he was conscious at the time that he was using a racial stereotype and was unapologetic about it, but defended doing so by stating that "at the time humor consisted in our society of bad English and physical difference in identity." In reference to his graphic novel Fagin the Jew, Eisner acknowledged parallels between Charles Dickens' use of racial stereotyping for that character (which Eisner criticized) and Eisner's own portrayal of White, but asserted that his own work had not "capitalized on" the stereotype.

Related Topics:
Graphic novel - Fagin the Jew - Charles Dickens

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