No Laughing Matter: How Comics Reveal the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of America’s Relationship with the Middle East
If you like graphic novels, comic books or are interested in the ways that art and politics collide, join us for this interactive workshop! At this final MOSAIC of 2020, we will delve into new research that explores the cultural importance of comic books. Before Instagram memes and YouTube, comic strips in newspapers and magazines were popular forms of entertainment. Kids and adults alike were excited to read about the ludicrous and hilarious adventures of their favorite cartoon characters.
However, sometimes comic strips and comic books were ways in which racist stereotypes were spread. In the worst cases, comics inspired acts of violence and anger. The printed comics of stereotypes often included ugly depictions of the Middle East, North Africa and Muslims.
At this event, we will dig into the archive of America’s newspapers and magazines to see what comics can teach us about the relationship between the United States and the Middle East. We will also explore how things have changed: Are contemporary depictions of the Middle East and Muslim people any better?
Join us for this interaxctive and engaging workshop!
Open to students in grades 7 - 12.
Registration required at: onha.yale.edu/MOSAIC