Pore Li’l Mose
Did you know that when Richard Outcault’s Pore Li’l Mose debuted in
1901, it was considered revolutionary and nearly “sympathetic,” despite the fact
that its depiction of its African-American lead is considered uncomfortable in
our contemporary age? The first ever newspaper strip to feature a Black
protagonist, Pore Li’l Mose followed the exploits of the titutlar character–a
young African American boy–as he migrated from his rural hometown
“Cottonville,” Georgia to the Northern, urban machine that is New York
City.
1901, it was considered revolutionary and nearly “sympathetic,” despite the fact
that its depiction of its African-American lead is considered uncomfortable in
our contemporary age? The first ever newspaper strip to feature a Black
protagonist, Pore Li’l Mose followed the exploits of the titutlar character–a
young African American boy–as he migrated from his rural hometown
“Cottonville,” Georgia to the Northern, urban machine that is New York
City.
The strip has its severe qualitites–including the afroementioned
“Cottonville” reference; Mose’s charcoal skin, bugged eyes and thick lips
perpetually puckered into an expression of alarm or surprise and Mose’s constant
company of animals including a monkey. There are aslo frequent references to his
“letters to Mammy.”
“Cottonville” reference; Mose’s charcoal skin, bugged eyes and thick lips
perpetually puckered into an expression of alarm or surprise and Mose’s constant
company of animals including a monkey. There are aslo frequent references to his
“letters to Mammy.”
But even so, Pore Li’l Mose tells the fish-out-of-water tale of a boy in
awe of his new, foreign and fast-paced surroundings and we suppose that’s not
exactly uncommon comic fare. Not only that, but the Emanicipation Proclamation
wasn’t even 40 years old when Outcault debuted his strip. His portrayal of young
Mose was rather consistent with public perception of Blacks in the early
post-slavery era.
awe of his new, foreign and fast-paced surroundings and we suppose that’s not
exactly uncommon comic fare. Not only that, but the Emanicipation Proclamation
wasn’t even 40 years old when Outcault debuted his strip. His portrayal of young
Mose was rather consistent with public perception of Blacks in the early
post-slavery era.
The strip only lasted a few years and experienced its greatest popularity
between 1901 and 1902. The character was featured in his own books of strip art
and even made appearances in early printings of Buster Brown big books. But
considering his precarious image and questionable character, Pore Li’l Mose was
replaced in later Buster Brown book printings with The Yellow Kid.
between 1901 and 1902. The character was featured in his own books of strip art
and even made appearances in early printings of Buster Brown big books. But
considering his precarious image and questionable character, Pore Li’l Mose was
replaced in later Buster Brown book printings with The Yellow Kid.
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Pore Li’l Mose
Did you know that when Richard Outcault’s Pore Li’l Mose debuted in
1901, it was considered revolutionary and nearly “sympathetic,” despite the fact
that its depiction of its African-American lead is considered uncomfortable in
our contemporary age? The first ever newspaper strip to feature a Black
protagonist, Pore Li’l Mose followed the exploits of the titutlar character–a
young African American boy–as he migrated from his rural hometown
“Cottonville,” Georgia to the Northern, urban machine that is New York
City.
1901, it was considered revolutionary and nearly “sympathetic,” despite the fact
that its depiction of its African-American lead is considered uncomfortable in
our contemporary age? The first ever newspaper strip to feature a Black
protagonist, Pore Li’l Mose followed the exploits of the titutlar character–a
young African American boy–as he migrated from his rural hometown
“Cottonville,” Georgia to the Northern, urban machine that is New York
City.
The strip has its severe qualitites–including the afroementioned
“Cottonville” reference; Mose’s charcoal skin, bugged eyes and thick lips
perpetually puckered into an expression of alarm or surprise and Mose’s constant
company of animals including a monkey. There are aslo frequent references to his
“letters to Mammy.”
“Cottonville” reference; Mose’s charcoal skin, bugged eyes and thick lips
perpetually puckered into an expression of alarm or surprise and Mose’s constant
company of animals including a monkey. There are aslo frequent references to his
“letters to Mammy.”
But even so, Pore Li’l Mose tells the fish-out-of-water tale of a boy in
awe of his new, foreign and fast-paced surroundings and we suppose that’s not
exactly uncommon comic fare. Not only that, but the Emanicipation Proclamation
wasn’t even 40 years old when Outcault debuted his strip. His portrayal of young
Mose was rather consistent with public perception of Blacks in the early
post-slavery era.
awe of his new, foreign and fast-paced surroundings and we suppose that’s not
exactly uncommon comic fare. Not only that, but the Emanicipation Proclamation
wasn’t even 40 years old when Outcault debuted his strip. His portrayal of young
Mose was rather consistent with public perception of Blacks in the early
post-slavery era.
The strip only lasted a few years and experienced its greatest popularity
between 1901 and 1902. The character was featured in his own books of strip art
and even made appearances in early printings of Buster Brown big books. But
considering his precarious image and questionable character, Pore Li’l Mose was
replaced in later Buster Brown book printings with The Yellow Kid.
between 1901 and 1902. The character was featured in his own books of strip art
and even made appearances in early printings of Buster Brown big books. But
considering his precarious image and questionable character, Pore Li’l Mose was
replaced in later Buster Brown book printings with The Yellow Kid.
Popular Topics
Overstreet Access Quick Links
