Life, 1889-12-26 · page 5 of 55
Life — December 26, 1889 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 357 The main cartoon depicts a conversation about racial identity. The caption reads: "She: Fred Douglass is colored, isn't he? / He: Oh, no. He was born that way." This is a racial joke playing on the term "colored" — a common 1800s-era descriptor for African Americans. The humor relies on deliberately misinterpreting "colored" as a choice or acquired characteristic rather than an inherent identity, with the response suggesting Douglass was "born that way" (implying it's natural/immutable). The surrounding text includes unrelated brief jokes about Chicago fares, spillled milk, and British patriotism. The small illustration labeled "A Close Call" appears unrelated to the main content. This page reflects period attitudes toward race through what would be considered offensive racial humor by modern standards.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
IN CHICAGO. RAVELER: What's the fare to New York? TICKET AGENT: Nothin’, sir. Coz why? Coz New York knows she aint a goin’ to get it. GOOD ADVICE. 66 7°M dreadfully upset,” said the spilled milk. “You can’t be half so agitated as I am,” retorted the Irish question. “Do as I do,” said the door as he shut himself up. PATRIOTISM. RITISH AU- THOR: But I should have my royalty on your re- print of my books. LITERARY PI- RATE: Sir, in the American Republic of letters we ac- knowledge no roy- alty. HE: Judson lives in the wild, wooly West, doesn’t he? HE: He did live there, but he has just moved down into the wild, cot- tony South, “A CLOSE CALL," She: FRED DOUGLASS 18 COLORED, ISN'T HE? He: Ol, No, HE WAS BORN THAT Way, HANDS TIED. OREIGN POWER (sarcastically): Backing out, I see. UNCLE SaM (sorrow/ully ): Yes, do as you please, I won't make any re- sistance. Fore Power (proudly): I knew you wouldn't dare defy me. UNCLE SaM (Aotly): It ain't you I'm afraid of, you old fool. I wouldn't mind a war. What I'm afraid of is the pensions. A Quiet SLAYING PARTY—Jack the Ripper. comicbooks.com