'90s NostalgiaWhat were you doing in the '90s? Whether you were rocking flannel, Docs, and brown lipstick or just happily gumming down strained peas, these lists are for you.
Cartoons aren't generally considered hotbeds of political commentary or epicenters of social change, but in reality, there are plenty of cartoons you never realized were progressive; beloved animated series that sent messages of inclusively and tolerance in either matter-of-fact or cleverly obscured ways. It would be difficult to argue that any progressive '90s cartoon show or even '00s cartoons had an overtly political agenda. Looking back, most of us notice the dirty cartoon jokes before the social messages. Nevertheless, the cartoons you watched as a child had more to offer than silly humor and occasionally creepy animation.
Diversity, inclusion, and acceptance aren't radical ideas, but back when these shows were on the air, certain progressive ideas weren't commonplace in mainstream pop culture. How many messages did you miss in these nostalgic cartoons that were ahead of their time?
Premiering in September 2001, The Proud Family was notable not only for being the Disney Channel's first animated original series, but also one of the very few animated shows (along with The Boondocks) to feature a mainly all-Black cast.
The series dealt with issues of race and equality using humor and clever plotlines, such as when Penny Proud travels back in time to better understand the value of Black History Month. One of the standout episodes, "Culture Shock," is a direct response to the rise in Islamophobia in a post-9/11 world. As part of a cultural exchange program, Penny must spend a week with the Zamins, a Muslim Pakistani family. Though she is initially hesitant, and even frightened by the family's differing cultural practices, she is horrified when their home is vandalized by bigots who tell them to "go back to their country."
In the end, Penny gives a school presentation on the Zamins and how they are just as American as any member of her community. Though the episode has its critics in the Muslim community, it is generally regarded as a well-meaning and sincere gesture toward cultural solidarity.
Disney Plus has announced a revival of The Proud Family, titled Louder and Prouder Than Ever, and fans are eagerly anticipating the return of the culturally inclusive and minority-focused series.
Hey Arnold! aired on Nickelodeon at a time when nontraditional familial settings didn't receive much attention. The show has several subtly progressive elements, including the diverse supporting characters. Arnold himself was orphaned and is raised by his grandparents in a boarding house that includes a variety of characters not often represented in mainstream media; Arnold's surrogate family features a Vietnamese immigrant, for example.
The adventures of Arnold and his friends often include unconventional settings and characters, such as Harold's bar mitzvah and the crew's regular run-ins with Pigeon Man.
The Nickelodeon cartoon Rugrats centers on a group of rambunctious babies and toddlers who are always getting into imaginative shenanigans, and the undercurrent of progressive commentary remains strong. Chuckie is raised by a single father. Angelica's mom is the breadwinner in the family, and her husband Drew is Angelica's main caretaker. Tommy's mom, too, is the family's main financial support system, while her husband struggles as an inventor.
Notably, these husband aren't emasculated by this - it's simply their lives. Several supporting characters also represent cultures outside of the main cast. These characters are not presented as stereotypes or tokens; Kimi Watanabe, for one, becomes an assertive and vital part of the ensemble.
Individual episodes also tackle subjects that have become far more relevant. In one, Phil and Chuckie question gender norms and are mocked for wearing dresses, which they don out of a curiosity the show portrays as innocent and in no way shameful.
The Powerpuff Girls exposed young viewers to a hearty dose of feminism, packaged in kid-friendly animation with subtle pop cultural references that kept parents engaged as well. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup are never ashamed to be strong, fearless girls who fight evil and, in the words of executive producer Nick Jennings, try "to do it all before bedtime."
The Powerpuff Girls features three female characters with distinct personalities, each brave and flawed in real and relatable ways, subtly making a case for more complex representation in cartoons.
Recess focuses on the misadventures of six elementary school students. Luckily for them, they have Miss Grotke as a teacher. Miss Grotke is one of the show's regulars, and she never shies away from telling it like it is. She challenges conventional thinking on everything from Thanksgiving and the Founding Fathers to Beowulf and other sacred cows, sliding social commentary and even radical literary criticism into her lessons.
How many other kid-friendly animated teachers would advise their students to be wary of the white and Western male perspective of their history books?
Futurama, the beloved animated series from The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, was adored by adults and kids alike. During its intermittent seven-season run, Futurama made a lot of social commentary through the unique lens of sci-fi satire.
In one notable episode from 2003, Bender becomes a "fembot" in order to compete against female robots at the Olympics. Bender encounters significant sexism throughout an episode full of clearly progressive remarks about clichéd femininity. He goes through some revelations about gender and emotion, as well, wooing and falling for Calculon, the male robot soap opera star. Even after Professor Farnsworth returns Bender to his original form, the bot holds onto affection for Calculon.
