south park- nick mullin

South Park

Comedy Central’s famous program, South Park, to some is an offensive program focused on four children acting in inappropriate adult manners that can go as far as racism, murder, and war. To others, it is a journey to a tiny town in Colorado where for thirty minutes each day, you can take a look at the world and its problems in a comedic way. South Park stars four eight year old boys who experience more than the average children would for example, on the Nickelodeon network. These boys go on adventures trying to learn how to masturbate, witnessing cripple fights, and going to war with the infamous Canadians.
The most common issue that is found on South Park is that of racism. Whether the boys are only allowing their African American friend Token to play bass in their band, looking at Canadian people who are drawn different than all the other characters, or having a gay teacher who has had a sex change; they experience this in a way that is purposed to be funny and not offensive. America is a place where diversity is accepted with open arms. “The land of the free,” rings in the ears of Americans every time they hear the National Anthem. The show would not have been so popular during its, still standing, eleven year run on Comedy Central without a fan bass consisting of more than just a Caucasian audience.
There are people in the world today who look to everything as a racial slur, or a bad example to children. The show itself was never intended to offend anyone. The show begins with a warning, is played on an adult network, and has a mature rating that gives plenty of notice to any parents whose child may be watching. These are necessary and responsible steps to airing a television show that is not appropriate for younger viewers.

South Park is a show that provides an awry of scenes and situations that can keep you entertained for hours on end. There are no limits to the adventures these boys can go on. They’ve done it all and always ended with a new perspective on something different. South Park sets a nearly unreachable bar for adult cartoons that Family Guy, or Futurama may never reach.
The show is not offensive if you accept it in the way that is meant to be perceived. It is supposed to bring joy and laughter to people of all races. If taken too seriously or out of context, the shows future is most likely nonexistent. If taken in the way that it was meant to be delivered, you will receive a thirty minute escape from the true problems of the world. South Park will continue its run as one of the greatest adult cartoons in the country for years to come, and will hopefully someday win the support of all people of all races, without any controversy.