Life — March 13, 1931 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Who—We?" by Berton Braley This satirical poem mocks American hypocrisy regarding identity and behavior. The verse contrasts public self-perception with actual conduct: Americans claim moral superiority while engaging in "Hooey"—deception, flattery, and shallow performance. The two accompanying cartoons illustrate this theme. The upper sketch shows an adult telling a child to "Close your little eyes and sleep"—suggesting willful ignorance or innocence maintained through deception. The lower cartoon depicts someone reclining with a radio, likely referencing how mass media and entertainment distract from or obscure uncomfortable truths. The poem's final message is that American society constantly practices "Who's Hooey"—self-deceptive flattery and false presentation—regardless of ethnicity or class. It's a critique of widespread American insincerity.