Life — December 16, 1920 — page 29: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a multi-headed beast labeled as alligators being "exercised" at a zoo in Santiago, Cuba. The creatures have human faces and gesticulate wildly with their limbs raised. Spectators observe from behind barriers. The cartoon appears to mock Cuban political leadership or military figures of the period—the "alligators" represent dangerous, chaotic politicians or strongmen requiring containment like zoo animals. The satire suggests these leaders are primitive, bestial, and require management by observers (likely American interests). The specific historical context—which Cuban figures or period this references—isn't entirely clear from the visible information, though Cuba's turbulent political history and American intervention were frequent Life magazine subjects. The dehumanizing caricature reflects early-twentieth-century satirical conventions that are now recognized as offensive.