[Op/Ed] A political cartoon

[Ender]

I realize we have a stickied thread for this, but I thought it merited its own so that it would get some more attention. Yesterday I saw what I thought was the most tasteless and crass "cartoon" ever. Reference image so you get what is so wrong with it.

That however was topped by one that appeared today in the New York Post

The image in question? Lemme embed this here for you from another source in case the NYP takes it down.



Charitably, I may be misreading this. But it appears to me that is says that Obama is a monkey and if the stimulus bill is to be stopped, well hopefully someone will kill him.


Words fail me.

If you feel like contacting these lovely people, you can reach them at the New York post at (212) 930-8500, or email the Page Six editor, Richard Johnson, rjohnson@nypost.com I encourage both US and international members here to drop these folks a line.

[Kanastrous]

This is the topic of discussion on Air America, right now.

I can understand how someone could look at this and think 'racist' (that the cartoonist intends to compare President Obama to a chimpanzee), but I find that a stretch. My read is that the cartoonist is suggesting that the qualities of the stimulus bill are about what you'd expect had it been written by a chimp.

Still, not a particularly good cartoon, and if the editors didn't anticipate some people choosing to interpret it a a racist statement they're kind of foolish.

[Temjin]

This is the topic of discussion on Air America, right now.

I can understand how someone could look at this and think 'racist' (that the cartoonist intends to compare President Obama to a chimpanzee), but I find that a stretch. My read is that the cartoonist is suggesting that the qualities of the stimulus bill are about what you'd expect had it been written by a chimp.

Still, not a particularly good cartoon, and if the editors didn't anticipate some people choosing to interpret it a a racist statement they're kind of foolish.

Are you fucking kidding me?! A "stretch"? For decades, one of the things they called black people was "porch monkey." They even made a fucking scene or two about that in Clerks II.

Hell, look on one of the many "white power' forums online, and you'll see that those damn "people' still compare black people to apes, monkeys, and chimpanzees. That they are less evolutionary advanced and closer to those primates. This shit has been going for decades as well.

How anyone can look at this image and not think "racism" simply boggles my mind.

Fuck, I find your defense of this image to be a stretch.

[Bounty]

How anyone can look at this image and not think "racism" simply boggles my mind.

Does it? This wouldn't be the first time a monkey is used to portray someone incompetent with no racial overtones; Chimpus Caesar anyone?

That said, the shooting is way, way over the line. It's one thing to disagree, it's quite another to say almost directly that the writer of the package deserves to die.

[Temjin]

Does it? This wouldn't be the first time a monkey is used to portray someone incompetent with no racial overtones; Chimpus Caesar anyone?

You must see the difference between comparing a white person to a chimp and a black person to a chimp.

One simply does not have the historical overtones. One wasn't a justification for slavery.

[Seggybop]

When I saw the image, this story of police recently battling a chimpanzee immediately came to mind. I thought the cartoon itself was referring to Bush (chimpus caesar and such) but it's clear how it would be viewed otherwise.

[Kanastrous]

The chimp is obviously a riff on the chimp who was shot to death yesterday, not any actual person regardless of race.

[Sea Skimmer]

I couldn’t give a shit less how offensive or racist it might be to some people, that’s freedom at work in America. How many fucking times did people compare Bush to a monkey and call for him to be killed for his policies? A Google search for ‘Bush monkey’ brings up hundreds of comparison pictures and photo shops, and you’ll get the same thing for “Kill Bush”. I know for a fact the Bush monkey pictures were repeatedly posted on these forums and laughed at, and the theme sure as shit showed up in newspapers. But hey, Obama is black so now the exact same thing is wrong! Double standard bullshit like that helps nothing on Americas real racial problems.

Searching for "Obama monkey" brings up a rather huge pile of references and photos that already exist BTW, as well as someone selling an Obama monkey doll in what may just be a scam.

[Bounty]

Does it? This wouldn't be the first time a monkey is used to portray someone incompetent with no racial overtones; Chimpus Caesar anyone?

You must see the difference between comparing a white person to a chimp and a black person to a chimp.

One is perfectly acceptable satire, the other is too, except to people who are desperate to see racism in everything?

[Temjin]

The chimp is obviously a riff on the chimp who was shot to death yesterday, not any actual person regardless of race.

Oh my god. Are you fucking kidding me.

I actually think you're right about what it's based on. But that doesn't mean this cartoon isn't racist.

If the cop who had shot the chimp said that line after the act, it would still be racist. It would still be comparing a black man to a chimp

The fact that it's a cartoon makes no difference.

One is perfectly acceptable satire, the other is too, except to people who are desperate to see racism in everything?

No, it's not perfectly acceptable satire. It's a double standard, but it's there.

Don't blame it on people who look for racism in everything. Blame it on the fucking bastards who continue to this day to compare black people to chimps and monkeys as justification of racism.

[Darth Mall]

Did any one notice that it says the person who wrote the bill, so congress, not signed it, which would imply Obama?

[Kanastrous]

Yes. But didn't want to interfere with anybody's righteous indignation and the fun they're having, with that.

[Psychic_Sandwich]

I have to say, the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw that, before I read anything that Ender wrote, was that it was implying the stimulus bill was so badly written, it seemed as if it was written by a monkey. Yes, I can see how it could be seen as racist, but it's hardly a stretch to say that it wasn't intended as such.

[MKSheppard]

Charitably, I may be misreading this. But it appears to me that is says that Obama is a monkey and if the stimulus bill is to be stopped, well hopefully someone will kill him.

I'm truly trying to figure out what it means. Closest I can come up with is that it's Bush's fault; since everyone loves to use a chimpanzee to refer to him.

[Darksider]

Charitably, I may be misreading this. But it appears to me that is says that Obama is a monkey and if the stimulus bill is to be stopped, well hopefully someone will kill him.

I'm truly trying to figure out what it means. Closest I can come up with is that it's Bush's fault; since everyone loves to use a chimpanzee to refer to him.

The direct meaning is simple. the cartoonist thinks that whoever came up with the stimulus plan is as dumb as a chimpanzee. Weather or not it's racist depends on who they're holding responsible for coming up with the stimulus bill. It it's Obama, then yeah, a chimp was not the right image to use.

[Phantasee]

I have to say, the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw that, before I read anything that Ender wrote, was that it was implying the stimulus bill was so badly written, it seemed as if it was written by a monkey. Yes, I can see how it could be seen as racist, but it's hardly a stretch to say that it wasn't intended as such.

This is so clearly the right answer. Congratulations, you won the thread.

Why is everyone so quick to assume anything said about Obama has to be racist? Especially when it's not even directed at Obama?

I'd rather discuss the Kool-Aid cartoon. That is some tasteless shit, especially since it's practically identical to the photo. We discussed cults and the like last semester in my Deviance and Conformity class, and we had a special guest lecture by the professor who was central to the investigation of the Heaven's Gate cult (a member/ex-member sent him a bunch of HG literature and tapes). He showed us several of the famous photographs from that particular incident, so I got it before clicking Ender's second link.

[Teleros]

One little question: does the cartoonist have a history of racist cartoons and the like? If that was done by some white supremacist then yes, to conclude it's racist wouldn't be such a leap.

On the other hand, having read a little into the mess that the stimulus bill is, and now hearing about the police shooting a chimpanzee, crying "racist!!!" just seems silly and over the top. Given the context and the way political cartoonists often work, the worst I can say about it is that the cartoonist might've considered how it could be seen more carefully.

[Wicked Pilot]

One little question: does the cartoonist have a history of racist cartoons and the like?

The artist, Delonas, has been cartooning for over a decade now, you can browse his portfolio if you want. Search Nov 4th if you want his opinion of Obama. Nov 5th and 6th are pretty damn funny though.

[Count Chocula]

No, it's not perfectly acceptable satire. It's a double standard, but it's there.

Don't blame it on people who look for racism in everything. Blame it on the fucking bastards who continue to this day to compare black people to chimps and monkeys as justification of racism.

I may be misinterpreting your post, but it looks like you are "look[ing] for racism in everything." Like Bounty said, Bush was compared to a chimp for years due to his way of speaking, mannerisms, and policies, on the networks, cable, and blogs worldwide. You seem to also be the person reacting and posting the fastest to other posts on this thread, vociferously asserting time and again that this cartoon can't be anything but racist.

Couple of points: this cartoon is from the New York Post. New York City is possibly the third most liberal city in America, behind Santa Fe and San Francisco. If this were in the Mobile Whitey Daily News, I'd be inclined to agree with you. But it's not. Second, it's a political cartoon. They are deliberately crass, tasteless, offensive, and topical. The cartoonist melded two events: the signing of the largest single off-budget spending bill in American history, and a 'tame' chimpanzee going nutso and being put down by cops.

I know very little about you, but it appears that you, sir, are the one with a chimp on your shoulder.

I actually find this encouraging; it implies that, despite Pres. Obama's halo, at least two people in New York City (the cartoonist and editor) are looking at the "stimulus plan" and not liking what they see.

[Civil War Man]

Couple of points: this cartoon is from the New York Post. New York City is possibly the third most liberal city in America, behind Santa Fe and San Francisco. If this were in the Mobile Whitey Daily News, I'd be inclined to agree with you. But it's not. Second, it's a political cartoon. They are deliberately crass, tasteless, offensive, and topical. The cartoonist melded two events: the signing of the largest single off-budget spending bill in American history, and a 'tame' chimpanzee going nutso and being put down by cops.

I know very little about you, but it appears that you, sir, are the one with a chimp on your shoulder.

I actually find this encouraging; it implies that, despite Pres. Obama's halo, at least two people in New York City (the cartoonist and editor) are looking at the "stimulus plan" and not liking what they see.

Um...the Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch. You know, the guy who also owns FOX News.

A media outlet is not liberal simply because they work out of New York.

I wouldn't be so quick as to ascribe the cartoon to racism, but the parent corporation of the Post is unapologetically hostile towards Obama.

[General Zod]

I may be misinterpreting your post, but it looks like you are "look[ing] for racism in everything." Like Bounty said, Bush was compared to a chimp for years due to his way of speaking, mannerisms, and policies, on the networks, cable, and blogs worldwide. You seem to also be the person reacting and posting the fastest to other posts on this thread, vociferously asserting time and again that this cartoon can't be anything but racist.

Really. You don't possibly see how a black person would react poorly in being compared to a monkey when its been used as a racial epithet for decades.

Couple of points: this cartoon is from the New York Post. New York City is possibly the third most liberal city in America, behind Santa Fe and San Francisco. If this were in the Mobile Whitey Daily News, I'd be inclined to agree with you. But it's not. Second, it's a political cartoon. They are deliberately crass, tasteless, offensive, and topical. The cartoonist melded two events: the signing of the largest single off-budget spending bill in American history, and a 'tame' chimpanzee going nutso and being put down by cops.

Except it wasn't topical. The two subjects were completely unrelated, and using a chimp when it has a known history of being used as an epithet was a staggeringly poor judgment call if it wasn't done with full knowledge of what it implied. Generally though, when people wind up doing something they didn't intend to imply they apologize. So far this dildo hasn't even done that.

"The cartoon is a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut. It broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy. Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist," he said, referencing a news release the civil rights activist sent out blasting the paper and demanding an apology.

Delonas, the cartoonist, said to CNN, "It's absolutely friggin ridiculous. Do you really think I'm saying Obama should be shot? I didn't see that in the cartoon. The chimpanzee was a major story in the Post. Every paper in New York, except The New York Times, covered the chimpanzee story. It's just ridiculous. It's about the economic stimulus bill. If you're going to make that about anybody, it would be [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi, which it's not."

To the editors who approved the cartoon, as well as the cartoonist, the piece was clearly all fun and laughs. But anyone with half a brain, especially someone knowing the history of African-Americans being called monkeys and gorillas, would have said, "We need to rethink this."

First, mixing the two stories is ridiculous. Yes, the chimpanzee incident and the passage of the stimulus bill have a lot of folks talking, but to put them in the same element just doesn't make sense. Video Watch civil rights groups criticize the cartoon »

Second, the cartoonist didn't hang a sign around the neck of the chimp, so he left it up to the reader to determine exactly who the cops were referring to.

We all know that the stimulus bill was the first priority of the new president, so when reading the caption, it was easy to infer that the cartoonist was implying the president of the United States.

You know, the black guy.

And that's where the problem comes in.

What could be seen as silly humor if President George W. Bush were in the White House has to be seen through the lens of America's racist past, as noted by the leaders of the New York Association of Black Journalists, who also are demanding an apology from the Post.

"How do you think the Jewish community would feel about the use of rats in any depiction of them? How do you think the Italian community would feel about being generalized with mobsters?" the organization said in a statement.

"Monkey slurs against Africans and African-Americans go back to the days of early colonialism, when Anglo Saxon, Spanish and Portuguese conquerors used these types of drawings and descriptions to dehumanize black people so that their mistreatment and enslavement would not be viewed as wrong or sinful. The practice also took on more sinister roles later in history including during the slave trade here in the U.S. and in Hitler's Nazi Germany."

Ignorant leaders of the New York Post and others may think everything is fair game, and certainly criticizing the president of the United States is just fine. Yet while everyone seems to be caught up in the delusion of a post-racial America, we cannot forget the reality of the racial America, where African-Americans were treated and portrayed as inferior and less than others.

And just as some members of the media brotherhood were taken to task for their obvious sexism during the Democratic primaries because of comments about then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, we had to be sensitive to the historical treatment of women.

Oh yes, the Post will have its defenders, accusing African-Americans and others of being hypersensitive. The Post has already shown its hand by trying to make this all about Sharpton, since they know he's the black bogeyman to white America. But they should understand that my e-mail box and Facebook page are filled with comments from folks of different backgrounds stunned by the callousness of the Post.

I guess it's fitting the cartoon ran today, because the best statement to sum up the issue can be taken from a black history month speech given today by our first black attorney general, Eric Holder.

"Even as we fight a war against terrorism, deal with the reality of electing an African-American as our president for the first time and deal with the other significant issues of the day, the need to confront our racial past -- and our racial present, and to understand the history of African people in this country -- endures," he said.
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"One cannot truly understand America without understanding the historical experience of black people in this nation. Simply put, to get to the heart of this country, one must examine its racial soul."

I know very little about you, but it appears that you, sir, are the one with a chimp on your shoulder.

I actually find this encouraging; it implies that, despite Pres. Obama's halo, at least two people in New York City (the cartoonist and editor) are looking at the "stimulus plan" and not liking what they see.

Except for choosing quite possibly the most retarded way to criticise it imaginable.

[Count Chocula]

Um...the Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch. You know, the guy who also owns FOX News.

True; however, the Post has to sell papers in New York City, so as a whole enough New Yorkers to make the paper profitable buy the thing.

I doubt Murdoch himself saw the cartoon before it ran, but probably he wouldn't object; to him, I imagine it'd be a well-executed piece.

One litmus test in weeks and months to come will be the stand the New York Times takes regarding Obama's and Congress' actions. Interesting times.

[Mr Bean]

Ok lets look at this logically.
Fact:Monkey is considered a racial slur and has been in use to refer to African American's for roughly three hundred and twenty odd years. Two hundred a forty years ago the term became popular calling native Caribbeans "Black Monkeys" by then still then Colonial masters and in fact during the period of the civil war it was more popular to describe freed slaves as monkeys and references were often made in southern papers about how Negros "resembled the apes of their homeland".

The "N" word did not become popular until the last hundred years and was used as a descriptive on many products up until the 1940's. Meanwhile referring to Africans as Monkeys is an older and until this last century much more popular derogatory form.

With this history in mind we can understand how while comparing George W Bush to monkeys is simply derogatory. It's not been popular for the last three hundred years for racists to call white New-Englanders monkeys. It's simply a comparison of former President George W Bush's speaking habits, appearance and IQ. I note again his comparison is derogatory but it is not racially derogatory until racist start make a habit of calling rich white people Monkeys.

Meanwhile on the flip side we have President Obama who is in fact half black and it was in fact quite popular to call Mulatto(Or Biracial to use the politicly correct term) people such as he black due to the one drop laws that were in place up until 1960's in some parts of America.

So then Count Chocula, Phantasee, Bounty, Psychic_Sandwich
Can we all see how such a monkey comparison(When it is a well know centuries old racial epithet) is a rather poor choice on the cartoonists part?

---
Addedium:Personally I'm in the let this slide category, digging back through this cartoonists work it's obvious he's somewhat of a conservative and with an odd sense of humor who enjoys drawing celebrities as fugly as possible. Nothing more, I'd say let it slide, but he's not that bright not to pick up the problem with the comparison he wants to run.

[Civil War Man]

True; however, the Post has to sell papers in New York City, so as a whole enough New Yorkers to make the paper profitable buy the thing.

1. New York City has a population of nearly 20 million people, and probably contain almost as many subcultures. It is not even remotely the homogenous population you are making it out to be.

2. The Post, like the Times, is not only distributed in New York.

3. The Post's conservative bias is not exactly a secret. It is literally FOX News in print form (in fact, it is the American version of The Sun, which is also owned by Murdoch)

[Mr Bean]

Edit, of course someone was going to do a retrospective of what else this guy has drawn that's questionable.

Blog with links to the original in the post archive

Just a few highlights off the top ten list

Post 2006 elections


And some Gay Pride

He seems to make no secret of his dislike of Gays, half the top ten worst list is made up of anti-gay cartoons.