r/BettyBoop

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shes pretty obviously a directly a copy of Helen Kane's on-stage persona, the same woman that tried to sue the studio for copying her and her phrase "boop oop badoop" when in reality that phrase (and the infantalizing voice) was actually from a black CHILD PERFORMER, Esther Jones. This was also only used to save their ass in court to disprove Kane's allegations of stealing her "originality". The resemblances are still there, and betty also sings a song kane was most popular for ("i wanna be loved by you")

Baby Esther Jones

Her phrase and childish voice IS derived from a black *child* performer. This fact also tends to particularly sadden me, as not only was she not a woman/adult at that time but a child performer which i can only imagine in the 1930's must have been difficult for her.

There is not enough information in who Esther Jones was, even though she's a pillar to betty boop's creation.

It's also very creepy that betty boop was first supposed to be "16", singing/talking like this, while also being sexualized.

Her traits that derive from Esther are child-like, and from a child performer. Wierd ass Helen Kane, but also, is it really a good idea to use these facts as an approach to Betty boop being meant to be black? If so, then Betty should also be depicted as a child (without the sexualization), and not a grown woman. I think for a grown black woman betty, it should simply be because of artistic liberty. otherwise, this all honestly comes off as sexualization of Baby Esther, which helen kane already did when she decided to steal these aspects for her own act (and if we're really talking accountability, so did the studio behind betty)

Betty boop was never meant to be black in design either. in fact, she was a red headed, green eyes, and pale in her early concept art and also yes a dog to be bimbo's girlfriend.

this is why there isnt any actual proof of betty boop ever being black early on, there's only misunderstandings with a gif from where she's depicted as a Pacific islander(which I'd also wouldn't mind seeing more of^^) and pictures misinforming you that esther was a grown up beautiful woman, with resemblances to betty boop. Those women are not Esther Jones

None of this takes away from the fact that Betty Boop is a pop culture icon that many black and brown women absolutely adore, and i still think a black betty boop is in order. I really mean this post with love as an avid betty boop fan, I really enjoy seeing people to advocate for their betty. I just wish people would do this honestly and without misinformation spreading or people claiming betty boop being black was always the goal when it really wasn't. Also dont like when its used as a way to discredit any other versions of betty boop. Same can be said to others, I dont like when people argue against the misinformation with their agenda actually being racism and "betty boop is white and white only!" its wierd and discrediting to the truth.

I love seeing other depictions of betty boop. She's like an artist's Barbie. I feel that was always the best part of her. She could be anybody and customized as so, just how artists have done for years and years. Black, south asian, pacific islander, Japanese betty was popular too you know! Personally, I grew up thinking she was mexican!

The early cartoons still contained racism, Betty was still said to be 16 while depicted as you-know-how, She still stroke a resemblance to a celebrity at the time, and there was still a child performer who was only used as a cover by these men to save themselves in court. There's many flaws and issues to have had with early betty, and there is no real upsides to it other than that over the years, people have changed who betty boop is.

Also, may someone please correct me on anything I may have gotten wrong or I forgot about? I only did this research years ago while i was particularly obsessed with betty boop(maybe 5,6 years ago?) and only speaking now cuz I'm seeing for maybe the 4th time now a round of people online spreading misinformation. I even saw someone comment "you know ur shit" under a person's misinformed post 😅 I'm sorry, no you dont!

P.S- I absolutely adore Quinta Brunson as Betty, she's literally betty shaped! She's honestly pretty perfect and I can't wait to see more.