Interpretation of Cartoons on Black Semantics: An Essay Analysis

This essay analyzes two cartoons from the provided text on Black Semantics, focusing on the interpretation of visual representations within the context of African American language and culture. The first cartoon explores the evolution of terms used to refer to the African community, highlighting the rejection of derogatory terms and the acceptance of "black." The essay discusses the significance of this term within the framework of Black consciousness. The second cartoon examines the word "mutha" and its unique connotation in Black Semantics, contrasting it with its conventional meaning and exploring the nuanced use of language within the culture. The analysis emphasizes the potential for words to carry multiple meanings and the cultural subtexts they embody. Both analyses use Smitherman's text as the primary source, adhering to MLA formatting, and explore how the cartoons depict specific aspects of Black Semantics.

Running Head: ESSAYS ON INTERPRETATION OF CARTOONS ON BLACK
SEMANTICS
Essays on the interpretation of cartoons on Black Semantics
Name of theStudent:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1ESSAYS ON INTERPRETATION OF CARTOONS ON BLACK SEMANTICS
Cartoon 1, Page 31
Introduction
The central focus of the image is on the various terms that have been used to denote
the African community over time, and the rejection of each of those terms as the artist has
crossed out the terms such as coloured, negroes, afro-Americans while finally agreeing with
the term “black”. There are two notices stuck on the wall that differentiate the preference for
customers. They can either be reserved for blacks only; or for whites only. It is also
interesting to note that focus is on the notice ‘blacks only’ as it guides our attention to the
term in the frame (Smitherman and Smitherman).
Discussion
Interestingly, the term black was used mostly as a method of name-calling and not the
black consciousness that is now so readily accepted. It reminds us of the older generations
who still flinch at the use of the word black in order to address the African-American
community (Smitherman and Smitherman). The old designation that was used for blacks,
whites, and browns are as old as nursery rhymes.
Conclusion
The term black in contemporary times, however, indicate the efforts to remove the
white values and embrace the blackness that would lead to the ultimate recognition of the
community and hence render the white skin, white values, and the fetishes around it to be
irrelevant. Black thus is depicted to be a choice that is logical. There is also a certain notion
of respect for the Blacks and not the Negro.

2ESSAYS ON INTERPRETATION OF CARTOONS ON BLACK SEMANTICS
Cartoon 2, page 61
Introduction
The cartoon here shows a black tattoo artist proudly flaunting his work on a white
man who is not quite sure about the tattoo that he has recently gotten on himself. The central
focus of the cartoon is the word ‘mutha’ (Smitherman and Smitherman).
Discussion
According to the black semantics, the word ‘mutha’ is used for mother and is a
representation that is extremely euphemistic in nature. The reason for having a completely
different connotation to the original meaning of the word was to make it not so popular
among the masters, i.e. the whites. What is considered to be a profanity is again a very
sensitive aspect in the Black Semantics (Smitherman and Smitherman). Although it might
seem to be a language of the street, words such a ‘shit’ does not denote defecation, neither is
it used to cuss anybody. Instead, it is considered to be a very good compliment for the
particular person who is being addressed. The word ‘mother’ can thus have both have a
positive and negative implication, whereas some times, it does not have any particular
meaning.
Conclusion
The tattoo in the cartoon thus cannot be pinpointed under any particular light. Thus it
throws light on the that for blacks, words have the potential of having two kinds of meaning,
either it is black, or it is white (Smitherman and Smitherman). It also highlights the
subculture that blacks are known to possess. Hence, the cartoon is somewhat ambiguous, and
to some extent, it means nothing.

3ESSAYS ON INTERPRETATION OF CARTOONS ON BLACK SEMANTICS
Work cited
Smitherman, Geneva, and Geneva Smitherman-Donaldson. Talkin and testifyin: The
language of Black America. Vol. 51. Wayne State University Press, 1986.