They should not be locked away. That way the American People can see the true discriminatory view of the company who distribute this garbage. They seem to be the same people hollering "bigot" whenever they hear an African-American protest ill treatment in America

Sent by Don Gray | 2:00 PM ET | 04-30-2008

To MC Curtis' comment, I want to add that while we all all have much to say within reason, this forum is not Jeremiah's, it's Obama's. As Mr. Obama clearly stated in his speech, he could not dare misuse it thus; neither could Hilary, John McCain, or any other politician. We must understand that JW is irrelevant not because he is not a valued member of society but because he is not important to this campaign. People that care about JW should encourage him to step away from the limelight before he is turned a complete buffoon. The NAACP should not follow in that path...we--America of many shades and cultures--all should be Spartans and stay our weapons and let this man's campaign take its destined course.

Sent by Evelyn S. Myrthil | 2:59 PM ET | 04-30-2008

The cartoons should be available at libraries and other research institutions as archival material. To lock these away never to be seen is akin to locking away materials from Nazi Germany, the holocaust and other dark periods in the world. These items can do more good by being made available because they show our historical growth as human beings, or the lack thereof. Should they become syndicated shows on Television? No. Please keep in mind that these cartoons cannot make you a racist. They only fortify those who already are racist. Thanks.

Sent by Maria Gomez | 4:44 PM ET | 04-30-2008

Though they are shameful, the films are pertinent to American history as it relates to Black History in America and should not be locked away. They represent the truth about the misconceptions that was( and still is) held about African Americans. Hiding it won't change the past as a matter of fact concealing such despicable misuses of art might actually perpetuate the negative steroetypes that are still alive and well in 2008. "We have to know our past in order to know our future - Sankofa"
The cartoons should remain in the light..let them circulate. . .justice will prevail at some point...remember it's not what we're called, it's what we answer to.

Sent by Goddess 7 | 4:44 PM ET | 04-30-2008

We need truth...we do not hide our shame...we must remember it...however, on the internet these are probably more used by ridiculous individuals as comedy relief--which sickens me...

Sent by Jake | 11:14 PM ET | 04-30-2008

These cartoons, as deplorable as they may seem to this generation, are as American as the famed apple pie. At the time they were not meant to be demeaning or to be taken as a put down but were meant to be humurous, a diversion from whatever could be concerning the viewer at the time. And, in those days there were many concerns. I have in my posession a book given to me by my parents about 1945 called, "A Treasury of American Folklore". A compilation of stories, songs, poems, braggings, and sayings from Paul Bunyon to jump rope jingles of kids of all generations. Stories of black people about black people and stories by immigrant steel workers of the blast mill towns of a growing industrial Northeast. These stories are told in the vernacular, as closely as could be written, of the people involved in telling the story. Likeweise these cartoons tell a story about the common attitudes of the time and should be preserved as should my book, which has a forward by Carl Sandburg, as a history of the common American people.

Sent by riccar | 8:22 AM ET | 05-01-2008

I agree with everyone that says these should not be locked away. It's apart of our history and it should be preserved or else we'll most surely repeat it. For no matter how many steps forward the country takes there are those who want to take the country backwards.

Racism--Expose it. Stand together against it.

Sent by Thomas B | 8:24 PM ET | 05-01-2008

hi there-

i think that these should be available. i also think that in the interest of healing our nation; true american history should be mandatory for all students in order to claim "educated" status. this to me would be more "culturally and historically relevant" than cartoons.

Sent by focusedpurpose | 5:13 AM ET | 05-02-2008

It's not racism...just bad sterotyping. Let's stop being so sensitive.

Sent by Mike Witter | 11:24 AM ET | 05-05-2008

these cartoons are part of American history which most of us are not quite proud of. It is funny that people like Shawn Hanity (Fox want to be news)gets offended when one expresses that fact: we have done things that we have a hard time explaining to our childrent today. History cannot be locked down or hidden. it can only be judged. I agree let them be out there for their authors to be held accountable.

Sent by Mimi | 6:56 AM ET | 05-11-2008