1946 DON'T BE A SUCKER

Don't Be a Sucker challenges prejudice against minorities and warns viewers against complacency in the face of discrimination.[5] Through an appeal to self-interest, the film argues that prejudiced people are being manipulated and do not benefit from prejudiced behavior.[2]: 1  It warns that democracy can be broken when the people are divided and that prejudice can cause this.[6] The film provides an alternative to prejudice, arguing in favor of an American populace unified by the ideal of liberty and its protection.[18] Don't Be a Sucker maintains that everyone suffers under fascism, including the groups that the fascist regime allegedly protects.[2]: 8  In contrast to the film's anti-fascist position, its villain supports antidemocratic and demagogic ideals.[19]

Don't Be a Sucker was intended to reach a variety of demographics, and appeals to specific minority groups were included throughout.[2]: 7  Instead of addressing why fascist beliefs take hold in society, the film remains palatable to the audience by portraying Nazis as manipulators.[5] Separate messages are delivered for viewers in majority or minority groups. Majority groups are told that giving in to prejudice will make the majority subject to fascism, and minority groups are told that they are stronger if they remain united against the threat of fascism.[2]: 12  Among religious groups, Catholics, Protestants, and Jews were shown to suffer from prejudiced beliefs.[2]: 7  The film creates a feeling of isolation during the street speaker sequence by having the other listeners step away from the Jewish and Catholic listeners as their specific groups are named by the street speaker.[2]: 10  The film indirectly addresses the belief that immigrants and African Americans will take the jobs of White Americans. Though it does not directly decry employment discrimination, this is one of the issues on which the street speaker bases his prejudiced arguments.[2]: 9