LogFAQs > #974681860

#26: The Socialist Democratic Federated Republic Of Carbombya

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/3/4/AAAG8cAAEovK.jpg
Do the camels get to vote?

There have been LOTS of offensive stereotypes in cartoons over the years, but this just absolutely takes the cake. The Socialist Democratic Federated Republic Of Carbombya was featured in the 1980s Transformers cartoon, and... just look at it. Just look at the name. Apparently based on Libya, with its leader Abdul Fakkadi based on real-life Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Carbombya (shudder) plays an antagonistic role in several early Transformers episodes as a xenophobic, villainous nation frequently working with the Decepticons. It's not just a one-off joke, either: the country's residents are also walking stereotypes, saying things such as "I swear on my camel" and the like. Even back in the 1980s, it's absolutely insane that they got away with this. I know cartoons used to get away with a lot, but this is over the top even for the time. Voice actor Casey Kasem (who was of Lebanese descent) agreed, as he left the show due to the racist stereotypes portrayed in episodes featuring Carbombya. It's especially egregious that a show featuring a character like Optimus Prime, one of the most heroic cartoon characters ever created, could engage in such base racism and stereotyping, but there you go.