In one form or another, there seems to be a lot of controversy around Uniqua, which is pretty odd considering she's a cartoon character. Aside from the constant debate over just what she is, there's also now a charge that her name is taken from the Cherokee word for the Great Spirit.
Personally, the name isn't that uncommon, as I've written about before. I doubt Uniqua's creators had even heard of the Cherokee use of the word. I think they were just trying to reflect her unique nature in her name.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Uniqua - Not So Unique
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wow....i read the first sentance and though "this is the most retarded thing ive ever read"
ReplyDeleteThis is just a cartoon! No need to get simulate by it! It's just one mom simply expressing her viewpoint! No need to attack her! She wasn't even saying anything negative about Uniqua! I think Uniqua is adorable, regardless what she is or isn't. Give this woman a break! People can be so ignorant!
DeleteJoanne
i was the one who left that nasty comment about him/her being an idiot. that just makes me so mad people seriously can find anything wrong with the cutest things. idiot.
ReplyDeletePlease, guys, don't go and leave nasty comments! I put this up as an interesting viewpoint, not as a horrible one. This person doesn't deserve to be attacked. This was merely an opinion, which every person has a right to have. And, um, guys? Remember - this is just a tv show. It's fun, but not worth hurting another person over.
ReplyDeletehi jennifer!
ReplyDeletei like backyardigans show
i like backyardigans music
i like backyardigans dance
but i don't like uniqua...
(she's like CHILINDRINA in "El Chavo del 8" Show MEXICAN TV, HAVE U SEEN IT?)
No, I haven't ever seen that show. Is it good?
ReplyDeleteI think it is much more likely that the creators were just modifying "unique" and it all seems too much like a silly coincidence for anyone to be reasonably upset by.
ReplyDeleteNelvana's office is just down the street from mine, so maybe I'll walk over and ask!
wow.......
ReplyDeleteOMG, It amazes me that people get in huffs over cartoon characters, when there are bigger fish to fry!!!
ReplyDeleteMy mom and I think that uniqua ia a lady bug. LOL my son is too little to ask him what she is!!!
I found this site because I was trying to figure out the type of animal Uniqua is. To hear there is a problem with her name is pretty funny because I thought her name represented her ethnicity. Tasha and Austin are White, Pablo is Hispanic, and Tyrone and Uniqua are black. I thought the name was a little ghetto but I still love the show. Needless to say, I still have no idea what type of animal she is.
ReplyDeleteThe official statement is that Uniqua is "unique, just like her name". She isn't any type of animal except herself.
ReplyDelete(Of course, now we know it's not such a unique name, is it?)
Why does Uniqua have to be a "ghetto" name just because she's black? Isn't that a little stereotypical?
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter anyways..THE SHOW IS NOT FOR US ADULTS ITS FOR THE KIDS!!! Just remember that while ya'll are squabbling back and forth about it. The kids love it and I happen to be one adult who does too !!
I have read everyone's comments and don't think that ethnicity really matters. This is a wonderful show for the kids and some adults who are kids at heart like myself. I have just one question.....what type of animal is Uniqua? I like the fact that maybe she just is.....no type of animal....just Uniqua....that is a comment that someone posted and I like that explanation very much.
ReplyDeletei dont care what anyone says i love to watch them with my niece the way they dance,their imaginary trips and much more. YOY JUST GOT TO LOVE THEM.:.) when i was a child they where violent.backyardigans are funny i just wish they could always be together in every eposode but their not. to uniqua is a ladybug it suits her and they are all special in their own way so please dont ague about them aprieate them they are good cartoons.
ReplyDeleteUniqua is a spotted salamander.
ReplyDeleteI found this on Wikepedia describing Uniqua:
ReplyDelete"A curious, self-confident and high-spirited pink creature with polka dots and overalls, she is almost always sweet and friendly, though her strong opinions and occasional stubbornness get in the way of her relationships. She is more tomboyish than Tasha, often imagines herself in roles requiring brains and fortitude (scientist, pirate captain, etc), and loves books (as seen in episodes such as "The Masked Retriever").
Uniqua is a unique creature that is unlike any other in the world, and Uniqua is also the name of her species.[6][7] Creator Janice Burgess describes Uniqua as 'the child she wishes she was like as a child'.[8] She has been called simply "Uniqua, the pink" in Knights Are Brave and Strong."
Uniqua is not obviously black, yes, but thats just because they liked her voice, not because shes black or white or anything- so it doesn't matter. I know a girl who is white and named Uniqua, thank-you very much. I used to think she was a ladybug, a chemeleon, a butterfly even- but obviously she is just unique, thats all there is to it. No big deal. no need for nasty comments. And im 12 years old, so any of you ppl are older than me i hope your ashamed for brining up ethnicity in a childrens cartoon.
ReplyDeleteAshamed and ignorant they should feel! This is what is wrong with us now! Evolve already, people! You really have to categorize cartoon characters by such an idiotic notion as racial stereotypes? Is this the new millennium, or antebellum? Grow.
ReplyDeleteI think she's a ladybug, and if not she's still adorable. :)
ReplyDeleteMy 6 month old absolutely loves this show and always coos and laughs uncontrolably when this cartoon comes on. Maybe you should all take a good look at this pure act of innocence and realize that prejeduce is a learned trait. Honestly, what difference does it make who does the voices of each character when this is such a positive show? Who really cares what kind of creature Uniqua is supposed to be? Must we put a label on everyone? Why can't we just take everyone at face value and remember that everyone is unique!!!!
ReplyDeleteIn addition, I think that Janice Burgess has a brillant mind and has created one of the best childrens cartoons of all time!!! Thank you for blessing our home with your creative mind. Please keep up the good work! We all love your show here.
ReplyDeleteWhy is Uniqua always in the lead role? Is her voice that of the Producer's daughter or something? Aside from being the most annoying character, she takes up all the screen time.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that it is ridiculous to assume that the names of the characters represent certain ethnicities. Racism and sterotypes still exist; nowadays, it is covered up or diluted. I find it highly stereotypical that tyrone and uniqua are played by black actors...You don't find many people of other races with such names. As a matter of fact, I have a student whose name is uniqua and I bet anyone could guess what ethnicity she is without ever having seen her.
ReplyDeleteThose of you who are trying to play this off as some coincidence are just sad. I am not offended by the characters, but I do think that the choices that are made in television are strategic and this is one instance where it proves true.
I though she was an ant
ReplyDeleteI think that people should be allowed to think what they want. The nick jr network obviously tried to portray interracial relationships as a happy, normal thing. If it is a problem for people to think that one of them is of a different race, then you're probably just being sensitive. If you want an official answer, however, the nick jr website states that Uniqua's name is also her species, and that she is one-of-a-kind.
ReplyDeleteI happen to be fifteen and am shocked to see that so many grown people can argue over such a silly topic. Let's try to be open-minded and not get so offended by people's assumptions about characters from a children's show. Goodness.
I love Uniqua. She is a unique Bug (Hints her name) I can't believe you guys Don't like her
ReplyDeleteWell..here is my two cents regarding BY's ethnicities..its pretty obvious that Tyrone is canadian (he doesn't talk like an afroamerican and moose is a common animal from canada), Austin is...well AUSTRALIAN..he's a kangaroo. PABLO is chilean since penguins only live in the south pole and Chile is one of the closest countries to the South Pole, Tasha I think is from South Africa, and last but not least...Uniqua is American...why? Not only for her obvious Afroamerican accent...but for the fact that she might be a mix from different animals (ant, lady bug, salamander..you name it) just like USA is a mix of all kinds of people from all around the globe. There you have it..I do agree that their names and voices aren't a coincidence..they were created this way to represent diversity and teach children that we all can live peacefully and getting along no matter what your background.
ReplyDelete