Cartoon Black History: Wile E. Coyote

Wile E. Coyote is one of the most tragic stories in cartoon history. He went without food for years and we laughed at his torment and frustration.

The thing about Mr. Coyote (or W.E.C. DuBois as I like to call him) is that, though he was black, his genius could not be denied. It was even on a business card of his own design.

He was an esteemed inventor far ahead of his time. His knowledge of aerodynamics, expertise with TNT and mastery of ACME stock trading was second to none.

These factors made Wile a threat that had to be stopped. Only way to defeat him was to attack his intellect. Coyote was undermined by being put in an embarrassing, no win situation…

As if chasing a glorified chicken around isn’t degrading enough for any black character, Wile’s lone source of food was the fastest on two feet. Unfortunately, the wisdom that got him to the literal and figurative mountaintop often led him to the bottom of a cliff.

The endless chase and lack of sustenance eventually drove Wile E. completely insane. He was a shell of his former self.

Subsequently he was committed to an institution and never heard from by the outside world again. Mr. Wile E. Coyote, a freedom fighter that will never be forgotten.