The reference to “Rachel” in Sunday’s strip was to the Afro American maid for Walt and Skeezix during Skeezix’s early years when bachelor Walt needed help in raising an infant. Unfortunately Frank King was living in a time when stereo types in the media were prevelant. Rachel was drawn to resemble a Mammy or Aunt Jemima type. Large, thick lips wearing a bandana, well you get the picture. Sunday strips from 1921-1926 can be found at http://rogerclarkart.com. Walt’s dementia probably has him thinking Afro-American Gertie is still Rachel to him.
That’s been a running thing for five or six years now, 436; Walt usually calls Gertie “Rachel,” and it’s been explained in the strip through a flashback, around when Skeezix hired her.
And thanks for that link - it’s fun to see all those old autumn walks!
436rge said, The reference to “Rachel” in Sunday’s strip was to the Afro American maid for Walt and Skeezix during Skeezix’s early years…in a time when stereo types in the media were prevalent…
Always a good idea to update those who came in late. I suggested once that the relatively realistic drawing of Gertie pays toward a karmic/comic debt the strip incurred with the unfortunate hyper-cartoony portrayal of Rachel. I don’t know if Scancarelli intends that, but find it interesting.
I almost resemble those remarks. I happen to be an Office Specialist/Receptionist although pt. Even though this is suppose to be a funny strip. I can see flaws in what she has done. She is dressed appropriately but should not question her guest but repeated the name or where to direct him. the receptionist would have been told ahead of time and she should take notes on who to expect on a guest list and what time with the right spelling.
I’m with kab2rb, the receptionist is being almost deliberately rude. She should have at least made sure she understood the guests name before calling her boss.
The real rudeness here is the insult to receptionists. I’ve been a receptionist and have met many others, but never one as stupid and gratuitously hurtful as this one.
I hope neither Scancarelli nor anyone else thinks this is funny. My heart goes out to Skeezix and all seniors who, near the end of an honorable life, have had to endure such malice from the ignorant..
I don’t know if anyone else noticed this or not and whether or not this just refers to those of us who receive E mails with our favorite comic strips - but it appears that Go comics is offering EVERYONE FOURTEEN days of FREE access to the comic archives as a Valentine’s Day present! At any rate, when I clicked on the link in my E mail - I ended up on a page with the following message:
The link in my E mail from Go Comics:
http://blogs.gocomics.com/
“We at GoComics want to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day! Since it would be impractical to send each and every one of our users a big box of gamble chocolate or a even a little candy heart stamped “U R COOL”, we’re offering all users 14 days of FREE unlimited access to our archives!
For the next two weeks, feel free to browse our entire collection of comics! This is your chance to go back and enjoy modern classics like Calvin and Hobbes, Doonesbury, Garfield, FoxTrot and The Boondocks, or newer hits like Lio, Cul de Sac and Pooch Cafe, from the very beginning! (Click on any of the preceding links to be taken directly to those comics’ first strips.)
To read your favorite comic from the beginning of our archives, click the double-back-arrow button above the comic (circled in the image below), and start reading.”
Since Gasoline Alley is about the only strip with the kind of past history which makes being able to access the archives worth the time - I thought I would mention it to everyone here and you all can see if it works for everyone or just those of us who receive our favorite strips via E mail.
Llewellenbruce over 14 years ago
Skeezix just can’t get a break today.
Kiba65 over 14 years ago
The receptionist should be trying to make coffee,,maybe she could get that right..I would have stood up and walked out to find someone will brains…
pbarnrob over 14 years ago
Hoo boy, this isn’t a good start, is it?
436rge over 14 years ago
The reference to “Rachel” in Sunday’s strip was to the Afro American maid for Walt and Skeezix during Skeezix’s early years when bachelor Walt needed help in raising an infant. Unfortunately Frank King was living in a time when stereo types in the media were prevelant. Rachel was drawn to resemble a Mammy or Aunt Jemima type. Large, thick lips wearing a bandana, well you get the picture. Sunday strips from 1921-1926 can be found at http://rogerclarkart.com. Walt’s dementia probably has him thinking Afro-American Gertie is still Rachel to him.
Ravenswing over 14 years ago
That’s been a running thing for five or six years now, 436; Walt usually calls Gertie “Rachel,” and it’s been explained in the strip through a flashback, around when Skeezix hired her.
And thanks for that link - it’s fun to see all those old autumn walks!
axe-grinder over 14 years ago
436rge said, The reference to “Rachel” in Sunday’s strip was to the Afro American maid for Walt and Skeezix during Skeezix’s early years…in a time when stereo types in the media were prevalent…
Always a good idea to update those who came in late. I suggested once that the relatively realistic drawing of Gertie pays toward a karmic/comic debt the strip incurred with the unfortunate hyper-cartoony portrayal of Rachel. I don’t know if Scancarelli intends that, but find it interesting.
lewisbower over 14 years ago
She must have become the Town Clerk who registered me a a member of the Librarian Party.
g6793 over 14 years ago
H’mmm. I wonder if Skeezix ever uses his “actual” name. It’s Alison.
kab2rb over 14 years ago
I almost resemble those remarks. I happen to be an Office Specialist/Receptionist although pt. Even though this is suppose to be a funny strip. I can see flaws in what she has done. She is dressed appropriately but should not question her guest but repeated the name or where to direct him. the receptionist would have been told ahead of time and she should take notes on who to expect on a guest list and what time with the right spelling.
roohey over 14 years ago
The Librarian party may do a better job than the parties we elect now. At least they are organized!
BigGrouch over 14 years ago
Skeezix is in his 80’s, and still has a full head of blond hair.
EarlWash over 14 years ago
“NOW HAIR THIS…”
OldManMountain over 14 years ago
I know every one calls him “Skeezix,” but his real given name is Allison. See http://kinnexions.com/reunion/wallet/fh01_001.htm#P38F30
Durak Premium Member over 14 years ago
I’m with kab2rb, the receptionist is being almost deliberately rude. She should have at least made sure she understood the guests name before calling her boss.
ocean17 over 14 years ago
The real rudeness here is the insult to receptionists. I’ve been a receptionist and have met many others, but never one as stupid and gratuitously hurtful as this one.
I hope neither Scancarelli nor anyone else thinks this is funny. My heart goes out to Skeezix and all seniors who, near the end of an honorable life, have had to endure such malice from the ignorant..
axe-grinder over 14 years ago
…
DebJ4 over 14 years ago
I don’t know if anyone else noticed this or not and whether or not this just refers to those of us who receive E mails with our favorite comic strips - but it appears that Go comics is offering EVERYONE FOURTEEN days of FREE access to the comic archives as a Valentine’s Day present! At any rate, when I clicked on the link in my E mail - I ended up on a page with the following message:
The link in my E mail from Go Comics:
http://blogs.gocomics.com/
“We at GoComics want to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day! Since it would be impractical to send each and every one of our users a big box of gamble chocolate or a even a little candy heart stamped “U R COOL”, we’re offering all users 14 days of FREE unlimited access to our archives!
For the next two weeks, feel free to browse our entire collection of comics! This is your chance to go back and enjoy modern classics like Calvin and Hobbes, Doonesbury, Garfield, FoxTrot and The Boondocks, or newer hits like Lio, Cul de Sac and Pooch Cafe, from the very beginning! (Click on any of the preceding links to be taken directly to those comics’ first strips.)
To read your favorite comic from the beginning of our archives, click the double-back-arrow button above the comic (circled in the image below), and start reading.”
Since Gasoline Alley is about the only strip with the kind of past history which makes being able to access the archives worth the time - I thought I would mention it to everyone here and you all can see if it works for everyone or just those of us who receive our favorite strips via E mail.
Best to you all - Happy belated Valentine’s Day!