Can We all Be Shmoos? – Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

Can We all Be Shmoos? – Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

You may think I am crazy, but I feel compelled to return to the days of cartoonist Al Capp, his column L’il Abner, and a character you may not know; the marvelous, very quirky, and unique personality, The Shmoo.

Why? Because I want to send a message of cooperation and harmony following a contentious election in which the country has been so fragmented. A good start would be to reach across the political aisle to manage the COVID pandemic, the most pressing health crisis we have experienced in one hundred years. How could there be any difference of opinion regarding good health care for all?  Bring back the central core of health care experts to educate and guide our elected leaders and our citizens. A start. A unifier.

With mitigation of the pandemic, the economy would smile like a Shmoo. Let Al Capp’s quirky, unique cartoon creation be an iconic symbol.

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In 1948, Capp’s roving intellect introduced an armless pear-shaped personality into his daily L’il Abner strip. Look at this: this unusual creature loved humans, laid eggs and bottles of Grade A milk (yes, bottles) and, in an instant, would gladly die and change itself into a sizzling steak if its hungry owner merely looked at it.

Its skin was fine leather, its eyes made perfect buttons. Shmoos multiplied faster than rabbits and tasted like any food desired.  Fry it and it came out chicken. Broil it and it was a steak. The hide of the Shmoo, if cut thin, made fine leather and, if cut thick, made the best lumber. Its whiskers made splendid toothpicks.

The Character satisfied all the world’s wants. You could never run out of Shmoon (plural of Shmoo) because they multiplied at an incredible rate. Anything that delighted people delighted a Shmoo who believed that the only way to happiness was to bring happiness to others. Wow, how intriguing.

Capp’s readers became “Shmoo-struck.” Close to one hundred of its licensed products, highly collectible today, were produced in less than a year; some of which sold five million units each, generating millions in sales in 1948 alone! They made the cover of Time Magazine and even were air-dropped to Berliners during the Soviet blockade in 1948.

A Shmoo Savings Bond was issued by the U.S. Treasury Department in 1949! 

We should capitalize on those qualities of cooperation, flexibility, kindness, benevolence, and adaptability. So how can we be Shmoo-Like? Easy. Reach across the aisle, dear elected ones. Appreciate your fellow humans like the Shmoo did. Help them. After all, is that not what elected officials are supposed to do?  It can’t be that difficult.

Open the door, neighbors. Chat. Compromise. And in your discussions, be agreeable when you disagree. Incorporate the spirit of The Shmoo. Make it more than a fantasy cartoon.

The Dalai Lama said, “I remain convinced that most human conflicts can be solved through genuine dialogue conducted with a spirit of openness and reconciliation.” 

I too am convinced.

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli is the author of three popular memoirs, “Growing up Italian; Grandfather’s Fig Tree and Other Stories”, “What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner” and “My Story Continues: From Neighborhood to Junior High.”  Learn more here.