Repressed Brits, evil Mexicans, Arab villains: why are Hollywood's animated movies full of racist stereotypes?

"From Chris Rock's jive-talking zebra in Madagascar to the racial hierarchy in Rio, Hollywood's animated films have been bombarding children with lazy caricatures for years. Should they come with ethnic sensitivity warnings?"

The relationship between stereotypes, caricatures & character design in animation is always a hot topic for dissertations - this article by Steve Rose in The Guardian provides food for thought, likewise this follow-up by Steve Hulett over at TAG.