The picaninny is a racist caricature of black children. They are “child coons”, with the same physical characteristics. Pickaninnies have bulging eyes, big red lips, and they speak in a primitive, stereotypical dialect. They are often shown stuffing their wide mouths with watermelon or chicken, which they usually stole. They are unkempt, suggesting that their parents are neglectful. Very often they are shown nude – a level of sexualization that is particularly troubling due to their age.
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