You've probably seen it on a t-shirt at a convention or a grainy JPEG on your Twitter feed. It’s a simple image of the world’s most famous plumber, usually with a caption that goes something like this: Don’t be a racist, be like Mario. He’s an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English, looks like a Mexican, jumps like a Black man, and grabs coins like a... well, the meme usually stops there or adds a cheeky "grab coins like a businessman." It’s a joke. A joke that has been circulating since at least the mid-2000s, surviving through the era of message boards, the rise of Reddit, and the current chaos of TikTok. But beneath the surface-level humor of a guy who eats mushrooms for a living, there is actually a weirdly profound message about how we perceive identity in global pop culture.
Why does this specific joke stick around? Honestly, it’s because Mario is the ultimate avatar. He’s the most "everyman" character ever created, despite the fact that he spends his time head-butting bricks and fighting giant turtles. He belongs to everyone.
The Weird History of Mario’s Identity
Nintendo didn't set out to make a social statement. Shigeru Miyamoto, the mastermind behind Super Mario Bros., basically designed Mario based on the technical limitations of the 1980s. The mustache was there because it was easier to see than a mouth. The hat was there because hair was too hard to animate. The overalls made his arm movements visible against his body.
But as the character grew, his "identity" became a mishmash of global influences. He’s an ethnic stereotype that somehow transcends ethnicity. Think about it. He was originally "Jumpman" in Donkey Kong, but when Nintendo of America needed a name, they looked at their landlord, Mario Segale. A real guy. An Italian-American businessman.
So, when the don't be a racist be like mario meme points out that he’s an "Italian plumber created by Japanese people," it isn't making it up. It’s a literal description of one of the most successful cross-cultural collaborations in human history.
The meme works because it highlights the absurdity of racial silos. Mario is a walking contradiction. If we were to apply strict "identity politics" to a character created in 1981, he’d be a mess. Instead, he’s a universal icon.
Why the "Jumps Like a..." Line Matters
The meme often includes the phrase "jumps like a Black man." On the surface, it’s a dated trope about athleticism. But in the context of the early 2000s internet culture where this originated, it was a weird sort of backhanded compliment to Mario’s superhuman abilities.
In the world of sports science and sociology, these kinds of generalizations are often criticized—and rightfully so. However, in the world of memes, they serve as shorthand for "Mario has traits from everywhere."
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Let's look at some numbers. According to Statista, Mario is the best-selling video game franchise of all time, with over 832 million units sold across various titles as of late 2024. That means people in almost every country on Earth have controlled this character. Whether you're in Tokyo, New York, or Lagos, you've pressed 'A' to make him jump. He doesn't have a race in the way we think of it; he has a silhouette.
The Evolution of the Meme and Modern Sensitivity
Some people find the don't be a racist be like mario slogan a bit cringey now. I get it. The world has changed since 2006. What used to be a "colorblind" joke now feels a bit like something your uncle would post on Facebook to show he’s "one of the good ones."
But the core sentiment remains surprisingly healthy.
In a world where everyone is increasingly divided into boxes, Mario is a guy who just gets things done regardless of where he—or his creators—came from. He is the antithesis of the "us versus them" mentality. He’s just a guy trying to save a princess, often with the help of his brother Luigi, who is just a taller, greener version of the same multicultural paradox.
Is Mario Actually Mexican?
The meme often claims he "looks like a Mexican." This mostly stems from his mustache and the occasional sombrero-wearing "Poncho Mario" seen in Super Mario Odyssey.
Interestingly, Nintendo has actually leaned into this. In Odyssey, Mario travels to Tostarena, a world heavily inspired by Mexican culture and the Day of the Dead. The locals there love him. There was actually a tiny bit of "cultural appropriation" debate when the box art first showed Mario in a sombrero, but it was largely shut down by Mexican fans who were stoked to see their culture represented in a Mario game.
This reinforces the meme's point: Mario fits in everywhere because he belongs nowhere specifically. He is a citizen of the Mushroom Kingdom, which, let’s be real, is a much more inclusive place than Earth most days.
Breaking Down the "Grab Coins" Stereotype
The most controversial part of the don't be a racist be like mario text is usually the last line. Older versions of the meme used a Jewish stereotype regarding the "grabbing coins" part. It’s ugly, and it’s why many modern versions of the image have edited that line out or changed it to "grabs coins like a businessman" or "grabs coins like a politician."
It’s a reminder that even when we try to be "anti-racist" through humor, we can accidentally trip over the very prejudices we’re mocking.
If you're going to share the meme or the sentiment, it's worth checking which version you're looking at. The "clean" version—the one that focuses on the global collaboration of his design—is the one that actually holds water. The version that relies on old-school tropes about money is just doing the thing it claims to be against.
Real World Impact: Representation in Gaming
Gaming hasn't always been great at diversity. For a long time, it was "The Mario Show" and not much else. But the success of Mario—a character who is a mix of Japanese design and Italian-American personality—paved the way for a more globalized industry.
- 1981: Mario debuts as a nameless character.
- 1996: Super Mario 64 gives him a voice (Charles Martinet), cementing the Italian accent that became his trademark.
- 2017: Super Mario Odyssey shows him inhabiting various real-world cultures.
- 2023: The Super Mario Bros. Movie becomes a global phenomenon, proving the character's appeal hasn't aged a day.
When we say "be like Mario," we’re talking about being a bridge. We’re talking about the fact that a group of Japanese artists could create an Italian character who becomes a hero to kids in Brazil and Sweden. That’s the "magic" that the meme is trying to capture, even if it does it with some clunky 2000-era humor.
How to Actually "Be Like Mario"
If you want to take the don't be a racist be like mario advice seriously, it’s not about ignoring race or pretending it doesn't exist. It’s about recognizing that the best things in the world are usually a mix of different influences.
Think about your favorite food. It’s probably a fusion. Think about your favorite music. It’s almost certainly the result of different cultures clashing and blending over decades.
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Mario is a "mutt." He’s a digital hybrid.
He doesn't ask the Goombas where they're from before he jumps on them (okay, maybe that's a bad example). He doesn't check Peach’s heritage before he goes on a cross-country trek to save her. He just acts.
Actionable Steps for a "Mario" Mindset
If you’re looking to actually apply this to real life without the irony of a meme, here is how you do it:
- Consume Global Content: Don't just stick to media from your own country. Watch a movie from South Korea, read a book from Nigeria, or play a game from a small indie studio in Poland. Mario was a cross-cultural hit because people were open to a "foreign" product.
- Challenge Your Assumptions: When you see a "stereotype," ask where it came from. Mario’s "Italian-ness" is a caricature, but it’s one that has been embraced by Italians because it’s used to make him lovable and heroic, not a villain.
- Support Diverse Creators: The only reason Mario exists is because a Japanese company was willing to take a risk on a character that didn't look like them. Support creators who are doing the same today.
- Keep the Humor, Lose the Hate: If you’re sharing memes, make sure they actually uplift. The "Be like Mario" meme is great when it highlights our shared humanity. It’s less great when it leans into the very tropes it’s supposed to be mocking.
Mario shows us that you can be a little bit of everything and still be yourself. He’s a plumber, a hero, a doctor, a go-kart racer, and a golfer. He doesn't let labels define him, and he definitely doesn't let race define his friends—or his enemies.
He’s just Mario. And honestly, that’s plenty.
Next time you see that image pop up on your feed, remember the history. Remember the Japanese developers who sat in a room in Kyoto and dreamt up a hero who would conquer the world. They didn't build a wall around their ideas. They let them travel.
Be like Mario. Travel. Learn. Grow. And maybe, if you have the time, save the world a couple of times. Just watch out for the blue shells. They don't care who you are; they’re coming for you regardless.
To put this into practice today, start by looking at your own social circle or the media you've watched this week. If it all looks the same, change the channel. Find something "Italian made by Japanese creators" in your own life. It’s usually where the best stuff is hidden.