Cartoon Portrays Monkey As Stimulus Bill Author
Sean Delonas’ New York Post cartoon is, sadly, just another in a series of insensitive attempts at humor. Delonas has equated gays with those who love sheep too much and has portrayed al Qaeda as celebrating Democratic victories. Now, for some reason a chimpanzee is the author of the stimulus bill. Al Sharpton, a frequent Delonas target, accurately asks, “What does shooting a chimpanzee have to do with a stimulus bill?” Shaprton also issued this statement:
The cartoon in today’s New York Post is troubling at best, given the racist attacks throughout history that have made African-Americans synonymous with monkeys. One has to question whether the cartoonist is making a less than casual inference to this form of racism when, in the cartoon, the police say after shooting a chimpanzee, “now they will have to find someone else to write the stimulus bill.”
Being that the stimulus bill has been the first legislative victory of President Barack Obama (the first African American president) and has become synonymous with him it is not a reach to wonder whether the Post cartoonist was inferring that a monkey wrote it?
Post editor-in-chief Col Allen’s response is a defense of Delonas:
“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.”
I’m not sure Mr. Sharpton’s viewpoint is reflective of the cartoonist’s intentions, but it falls under the heading of grossly insensitive at best on many different levels. Regrettably, there is no law against tastelessness.
February 18th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Im trying to figure out what is the intention. It went sailing over my head.
February 18th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Yeah, it’s not only a cartoon in poor taste, it’s not even funny….does make one wonder.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
err..what is the intention??? All of a sudden the extreme right are so innocent.
The intention is that the Republicans think that President Obama should be assassinated. Let’s see all the holier than thou christians come out and say how its just a bit of innocent racial stereotyping.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
What it demonstrates, to me anyway, is that the NY Post has an opening for a new cartoonist – a FUNNY one this time.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Jake I was hoping that was an over-the-top statement.. but I read the article again and the cartoonist does have that history. I guess we see what we want or maybe what we dont want.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Apparently being funny isn’t part of the job description to be a cartoonist for the NY Post, just offensive and stupid.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
I think the cartoon is parodying the chimpanzee that was just shot after going crazy and attacking a guest of it’s owner. Its been on the news for a day or two…
February 18th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Foxnews.com has the story
February 18th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Drudge has it also…
February 18th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Yeah, parodying a brutal attack, (and that wasn’t the only intention) is funny…..real funny….
February 18th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Uh?
I don’t get this outrage.. I’m pro the stimulus bill but I understand a lot of people are not. This is called satire and to me isn’t meant to be a covert racist dig at obama or a suggestion he needs to be put out of office.
It’s playing on the idea that to many the stimulus doesn’t make sense and therefore must have been written by a ‘chimp’ (one of which was obviously shot recently after a horrific attack).
As Frosty stated, its not exactly funny when you try to make humour out of a gruesome event like that chimp attack but nevertheless it’s pretty crazy (and I’m being polite) to imply racist overtones here..
To be blunt, I wish folks like Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would just quietly retire or stop trying to create ‘divisions’ whenever possible. They have become part of the problem and not the solution.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
As I said earlier, regrettably their is no law against tastelessness.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Lee said: To be blunt, I wish folks like Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would just quietly retire or stop trying to create ‘divisions’ whenever possible. They have become part of the problem and not the solution.
K: See, Lee, another point we can agree on… ;-)
February 18th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
“Foxnews.com has the story”
“Drudge has it also…”
Strangely enough both only posted the story in the last 2 hours. I have been checking all day to see if they would run the cartoon story – neither have run it yet – but now they are pushing the chimp story instead – 2 days after the event. Incidentally this is the same NYPost cartoonist responsible for the outrageous anti-Semitic caricature of Ron Kuby as a “drooling Jew”.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Jake, I saw the story yesterday on one of the news pages. Next week it will be out in my local paper…
February 18th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
…as if it just happened.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Fox checked to make sure it was’t Ann Coulter before they ran the story.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
The outrage over this is unbelievable. Monkeys cannot be ever used in connection with this administration because of PERCEIVED racism by racebaiters like Sharpton?
February 18th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Just like pond slime couldn’t be used to describe the last administration. (Sorry to offend pond slime)
February 18th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Post editor-in-chief Col Allen: “Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist.”
Again, the radical right indicts others for the offense the Post itself commits.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
“Monkeys cannot be ever used in connection with this administration because of PERCEIVED racism by racebaiters like Sharpton?”
Well, in answer to that question you could take a stroll through Harlem and crack a few jokes about monkeys and see how many laughs you get.
But I wouldn’t recommend it.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Isn’t that what the right does?
February 18th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
To RC: Not unless I can be their life insurance beneficiary……
February 18th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
RC, but this is a national news story in reference to an actual incident involving monkeys! Sharpton pisses me off, I’m sorry. I kind of like the guy actually, seems to be nice, but good grief. The term is racism is losing its meaning.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
For all of you that are shocked, JUST SHOCKED, try this:
google George W Bush monkey.
p.s. Stupid flippin alan’s site for blocking links. Stupid
February 18th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Pino, that’s a good point, but racial stereotypes/images are a little different issue in my opinion. The problem is that this was NOT comparing Obama to a monkey. If it was I would certainly agree that it was in bad taste.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
If you want to stop making race an issue, the best way is to stop making race an issue.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I agree pino, comparing George Bush to monkey’s is insulting….to the monkey.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
oops monkeys.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
right. its funny. and so is this comic.
monkeys are viewed as pre cursers to people, those that are less intelligent.
so too is the author of the stimulus…..a bill written by someone with low intelligence.
point?
February 18th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Stop Foxing with america NY post, fox news, hannity ,o’reilly and savages.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Rev Al is grasping at straws trying to save his job.
I think the point is that the bill is incomprehensible as though an unintelligent primate wrote it.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Guido, good point…
February 19th, 2009 at 12:16 am
I’m baffled as to why Alan didn’t get this and seems to agree with Sharpton.
If it had been a ‘Court Jester’ and recently someone had been shot in NY dressed as court jester, it would have been along the same lines (just still not funny as a shooting is not something humorous).
On the other hand, if the chimp story was actually about a chimp that escaped and had to be tranq’ed after finding its way into Capitol Hill then the satire would have worked and I’d find it funny.
February 19th, 2009 at 1:15 am
shooting can be funny under the right circumstance…I would rate this cartoon as a 5 on a scale of 10…I gave a half hearted chuckle at it
February 19th, 2009 at 1:39 am
I’m not surprised this is typical of the right wing Jim
Crow mentality that they refuse to let go of. Sad…
February 19th, 2009 at 2:07 am
The point is not that this is racist – its a Republican newspaper you expect that – the point is – they are advocating killing our President which is a chilling new development in their “America must fail” policy.
February 19th, 2009 at 2:28 am
I don’t think this has anything to do with the President, because he didn’t “write” the bill.
There is nothing racist in this cartoon.
The chimp has zero features in common with the President so the inference that the chimp represents president Obama does not hold water in regards to established satirical cartoon practices.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:13 am
I wonder if this will become part of a ‘greatest hits’ cartoon collection to be passed around to Republican legislators?
February 19th, 2009 at 6:38 am
This cartoon has nothing to do with anyone wanting to harm the President as some have suggested, nor does it have anything to do with racism.
It is satire.
They took the chimpanzee shooting story, which I saw on CNN and Fox 2 days ago and again all day yesterday and they blended it with the “stimulus” bill that a lot of Americans disagree with.
I didn’t hear the left complaining about all the tacky cartoons printed about bush and cheney, so really, just hush and let free speech happen.
February 19th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Pres. Obama didn’t write the stimulus bill. The Democrats, Nancy Pelosi, in the House wrote it. I don’t see any suggestion in this cartoon about harming our president.
Is this any worse than the cartoon about Mohammad by the Swedish cartoonist?
February 19th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Anyone who does not seee why this is offensive is just blind forget the racial implications for a second the overall message of vilonce against the President even if not intended is implied. That alone would cause an outrage no mattr who was President.
Add the obvious history of race and analogies that go along with and it is just plain horrible
I don’t know there intent but to print this with no reservations about how it would be received is an obvious red flag. How we presnt things must be filtered. Who filtered this David Duke?
Trying to explain it away again shows how many conservatives just don’t get it. They don’t understand why blacks see American History different then they do. To them Slavery Jim Crow are footnotes in history to blacks it was a living reality. Many blacks living today have mothers or granparents who have lived through segregation etc.
And naming Steele will not change that.
Thanks
February 19th, 2009 at 10:44 am
What if it was Bush signing the bill and they depicted some Hick in a Cowboy hat and pitch fork being shot with that falling into a bunch of Hay.
‘we will have to find someone else to write the bill and marry his cousin…”
Would that go over big? The shooting alone would be bad enough nevermind the anti-small town Texas implications
February 19th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Sharpton needs to get back into the news somehow, and the cartoon makes it so easy for him.
February 19th, 2009 at 11:51 am
The cartoonist has a history of posting racially offensive cartoons. Problem is, Murdoch doesn’t seem to mind and actually defends the cartoonist.
February 19th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
No doubt, and so do his minions, FOXy blondes and Faux News puppets…
lol
Personally, I think it’s a non-issue. This cartoonist is apparently quite adept at just keeping from going that one bit too far. Unlike Poor ole Howard Cosell, who used the monkey reference and lost his career.
Besides, most African Americans won’t care about this idiot…I expect they are still celebrating, as 87% of Canadians are as well, the defeat of the GOP…and then coalition of ‘old’ money, haters, bigots and religious nutters that comprise it….
OBAMA!
February 19th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
BTW, I actually did not know this….but guess who is the US’s largest supplier of crude oil?
I’ll give you a hint;
Look at the map – we’re BIGGER, and we’re ON TOP, in fact if this was prison, you’d be our B*TCH!!
February 19th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Frosty, being nationalistic, said: Look at the map – we’re BIGGER, and we’re ON TOP, in fact if this was prison, you’d be our B*TCH!!
Frosty, Its a good thing we warmongers don’t really need your oil because we could drive over the border on a Sunday afternoon, yell “BOO” and you’d give up in time for us to be back in time for the evening news. ;-)
You know the only reason the US doesn’t slide into the Caribbean – because Canada sucks…! ;-)
B*tch indeed!
February 19th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
[...] Cartoon Portrays Monkey As Stimulus Bill Author (alan.com) [...]
February 19th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Leave it to Al Sharpton to turn something like this into a race issue…and Mr. Holder wonders why we’re a nation of cowards when it comes to race issues…this is probably a good example. Way to go Al Sharpton…one step forward, two steps back.
I’m waiting for Jesse Jackson to chime in…any minute now…wait for it…
February 19th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
No matter the intent it does not take much brains or sense to see why this will offend many people. How this got past the editors is Amazing
One can argue about interpretation but that misses the point.
Cops shooting a monkey talking about the stimulus bill should have been enough of a Red Flag to pull the cartoon.
Obama sponsors the bill outlines his priorities and promotes it and they wonder why people look at the cartoon this way?
Monkey is one of the most offensive racist terms one can use against a black person.
They had to know it would be looked at this way….
Intent does not take away obvious red-flags
Even if about Congress sure we be depicting violence against senators and congress people?
Humility is important..
Too people who defend it and don’t understand the offense it just goes to prove Eric Holder was right.
We are cowards when it comes to race. You prove him right.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Jared
Thank you for proving Holder right.
Yea nothing racist about this………..
February 19th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
No where in the Constitution does it say we have a right NOT TO BE OFFENDED. It does say we have freedom of speech and of the press. It is called the First Amendment.
American soldiers and sailors have died in many battles defending that right. No matter how distasteful it may be.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
1-The history of monkey being used has racist. (Obama is black)
2-The tie between Obama and the Stimulus pkg.
3-The history of bad relationship between cops and blacks.
4-The history of this author making cartoons that are offensive
5-The Political tilt of the Paper.
You may not think its racist intent but are you so ignorant and insenative that you don’t see why others would?
Follow the pattern………..
February 19th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Willy
The cry of the truly desperate when they cling to having the right to do something and ignore whether it is moral or not to do?
I have the right to go out and get drunk every night it is not morale and bad for my family but I have the right…
The post has the right to post it or the right to see it has offensive and not post it…
And we have the right not to buy the paper soldiers also died for our right to protest!
So we agree they have the right but his it right?
Funny how conservatives bash Hollywood actors singers foe speaking against Bush Dixie Chicks and call for boycott but when we do it it is wrong
Amazing
February 19th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
First Amendment. Freedom of speech. Yeah, I can see Denny, but that doesn’t change the Constitution.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I am not arguing constitution but ethics
Understand the difference?
Thanks
February 19th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Denny, You can protest as much as you want. You can boycott as much as you want. I may not like such cartoons myself, but the paper has as much right to publish it as we do to protest it.
This is America. I have read cartoons about Pres. Bush that were in as much bad taste as this, but I never whined about it. I never heard liberals whine about those cartoons. Where is the liberal sensitivity on those cartoons about Pres. Bush?
February 19th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I understand the difference. Do you get upset over the ethics of many movies coming out of Hollywood?
February 19th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Where is the liberal sensitivity on those cartoons about Pres. Bush?
Posted by willy
……………………………………………..
It must be in same place as the conservative sensitivity for the cartoons about Clinton.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
This cartoon is referring to the man who promoted the bill, advocated fro the bill, campaigned around the country for the bill and supported quick action like this stimulus bill in his campaign. That man is Barack Obama. No other. The cartoonist portrayed Barack as a monkey and a dead one at that. Now I am big on free speech and frankly I’m upset the Post and cartoonist didn’t just come out and say “make what you want of it.” They had to try to spin it around make it about Pelosi.
Look, I can’t do it here because this is a comment section but I have plenty of highly offensive little drawings or statements to say about Republicans. How about instead of getting uptight let’s loose the hounds. The Post is a KKK membership recruiting ground and so on. These boys wanna play with fire and bring back the days of segregation and the Black Codes. Let’s go ahead and call a duck a duck.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
In Lefty’s view, conservative sensitivity is in bed with liberal sensetivity. IN THE GUTTER. Is that right Lefty?
February 19th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
How can you call this winning?
Do you understand Black history in this country and the history of the term Monkey and the relation with cops over history?
Especially during Jim Crow south an rise of Civil Rights movement?
You make it sound so petty we are talking about a whole race of people and a President in a cartoon that can be interpreted by many as being killed.
Imagine in 1961 (Kennedy President) a similar depiction except it is of a Leprechaun or a Priest or Cardinal of the church and the paper argues no it is talking about the perception of heavy influence of the Church now that we have a Catholic President
tell me you could not se why this would be offensive to Many Catholics and Irish? Of cause you would….
Plenty of conservatives whined for eight years over depictions of Bush and some depictions did cross the line extremely and some were individual attacks and many spoke out can you say Hannity-Fox News etc.
But most were not against a whole group of people but him individually…
The ones that put down his faith and other liked minded Christians were condemned by many has they should be.
But don’t play volleyball with this….This depiction has more red flags then can be counted if you don’t see it and or that insentative to Blacks in America nothing I can say
February 19th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
OLD LEFTY,
Bringing up Clinton is getting old…and boring, please for the love of the debate, find another peg to hang your hat on.
DENNY,
I see this cartoon as satire that brings together the two biggest stories in the news over the last couple of days. You think it’s racist…I think it isn’t. Calling into question the intent of the author because you THINK here may be a racist link is asinine. Why don’t we ask the author what the intent is before we automatically label it as racist? Hmmm…or are you content with just jumping to conclusions?
Are you a black american, Denny?
ERIC,
OR, the author was referring to Pelosi as Obama’s pet? HMM? Since we’re all trying to guess at what the author’s intent was…I’ll throw my two cents in.
The Post is a KKK membership recruiting ground
Wow! Absolutely off the deep end…
February 19th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Willy,
Yes I do get upset over many movies that come out of Hollywood and don’t support them
Thanks
February 19th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
JARED
You just don’t get it intent is not the question.
Do you care when someone painted the Virgin Mary using Dong
what they intent was? It is how the depiction will be viewed
I don’t know the author and don’t care thecartoon has enough signs that represent racism that will offend many
You know like you may have felt about the Beverly Hillbillies
Or redneck Humor or people saying you marry your cousins.
Lets say Bush is President
Imagine A man in a ten gallon hat being shot carrying a pitch fork in a barn by the sheriff and deputy surrounded by Moonshine and they say guess we have to find another person to get us into a bad war and an ew husband for his cousin”
I would find this very Offensive would you? and I did not like Bush…
Be fair
Have some understanding
This is not some petty depiction
February 19th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
As a Christian, I find much I could complain about from fellow posters on this blog. I have been blasted many times about expressing my faith. I have been called many names. I was even told to “go to hell and take your Bible with you.” Was I offended? No. I expect that because there are those out there who despise Christians. To many people hold on to to many things and it festers and brings out the worst in them.
We must forgive and move on in life. You are not going to change some people. No matter how hard you try. You, not meaning you Denny.
I’m glad we agree on the Hollywood movie thing.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Hmm, it takes a groteque comic for me to chime in. :( Oh well, this is my first time and I thought I’d come out from lurking. :)
I saw the story about the cartoon on CNN, but couldn’t find a link. I wanted to see what was going on. Went to Fox and saw the link. This is one grotesque comic. I didn’t think that it was racist, though. I just thought gross and royally stupid.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Willy,
I am sorry you have been treated like that but protest is one of the greatest rights we have and just like you protest Hollywood we protest this. It is not a forgiveness issue…
You stand up against bad movies so you just don’t forgive and forget
Let us have the same right
Jesus was one of the great protesters..
Apostles Paul warned about not being a stumbling block in intent or perception.
He said eating meant was right but he would not do it if it OFFENDED a brother…
With Freedom comes responsibility
We are not talking about Imus telling a racist joke when he is a comedian that is what he does I don’t listen but the attacks went overboard on him there are far worse things said by people not trying to get a laugh but are serious.
This depiction is one of a shooting a symbol of racist (Monkey)hate representing stimulus bill by sponsor Obama who is black This is violent and we should protest. No matter the intent Maybe the suthor does not know the history of race in America hard to believe but maybe.
But this is how a society learns….
How is the view of American White and Black ever going to unite if there is no sensitivity and understanding of history
and reality.
Thanks
February 19th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
“I expect that because there are those out there who despise Christians. To many people hold on to to many things and it festers and brings out the worst in them.”
Willy, you may convince us of your great christian standing, but God knows what a hypocrite you are.
We don’t hate Christians. Many on here are Christian. We just don’t need to be lectured on the teachings of the bible 24/7 by someone who doesn’t practice what the bible teaches.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Al Sharpton?? Is this the same Al Sharpton that said, “White folks was in caves while we was building empires…. We taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got aroud to it.” Is Al a bigot? No, no I can’t say that can I. Maybe a racist? Oh, heavens no, he can’t be that.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Two key questions for those who don’t deem this cartoon offensive…
Lets say Bush is President
Imagine A man in a ten gallon hat being shot carrying a pitch fork in a barn by the sheriff and deputy surrounded by Moonshine and they say guess we have to find another person to get us into a bad war and find a husband for his cousin I mean wife” An the paper says we don’t mean Bush just that type of Policy thinking Would you buy it?
I would find this very Offensive would you? and I did not like Bush…
Imagine in 1961 (Kennedy President) a similar depiction except it is of a Leprechaun or a Priest or Cardinal of the church and the paper argues no it is talking about the perception of heavy influence of the Church now that we have a Catholic President not JFK himself
“Guess we have to get another Catholic leader of the US”
Would you buy it?
Tell me you could not se why this would be offensive to Many Catholics and Irish? Of cause you would…
Lets be real
February 19th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
JFA
I am not an AL Sharpton fan and condemn many of his past remarks and actions but that has nothing to do with the depiction in the paper and when you disregard the cartoon purely based on who is protesting it and play volleyball with the issue you are acting just like Al Sharpton
He plays Volleyball all the time with issues.
You learned well from him….
February 19th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Racist.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Willy,
If you are taking offense by this comic then forgiveness is important. Choose to forgive the author and ask Jesus to heal your heart. <–This is where you let go of it.
For me, I have seen worse and had some stuff targeted at me. I am not Black; rather I have severe disabilities. So I can see why people would take such an offense by this gross comic.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
This is not about AL I know that disappoints many.
Because it gives an easy out.
This is about the cartoon and racist overtones
Den
February 19th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Is Al a bigot? No, no I can’t say that can I. Maybe a racist? Oh, heavens no, he can’t be that.
POSTED BY JFA
You are calling Sharpton a racist? For saying that a clearly racist cartoon about Obama is a racist cartoon about Obama. I never once supported Sharpton or anyone you would bring up as one of these people you hate in the Black Movement. But I know WTF racism is. That cartoon is racist. Pure and simple. If you defend it don’t be surprised if others imagine you a racist.
Let’s stay on today’s issue. This is about the Post and a cartoon not everything Sharpton ever said. The cartoonist is a known hate-monger and the post is famous for being mean-spirited against non-white, non-conservative Americans.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Al Sharpton?? Is this the same Al Sharpton that said, “White folks was in caves while we was building empires…. We taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got aroud to it.” Is Al a bigot? No, no I can’t say that can I. Maybe a racist? Oh, heavens no, he can’t be that.
POSTED BY JFA
I don’t waste time defending other people’s words. I have my own to worry about.
Bottom line is that was a racist cartoon about Obama and nobody else. Don’t be surprised if people assume you to be a racist if you defend this cartoon.
Let a man be judged by his actions and not the color of his skin.
Who said that? Someone who wasn’t you.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
DENNY,
Yes, I get the intent is not the question for you…but automatically linking the images in the cartoon with racism is a bit much. I’m sorry if you were offended…but you were only offended because you chose to look for something in the meaning of the images that I don’t believe were there. Sensitivity to the ongoing racial tension in the US is one thing…to actively look for instances of perceived racism is quite another. And you’re wrong…I don’t take cartoons seriously, even if they do imply incestuous relationships among rednecks.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Bottom line is that was a racist cartoon about Obama and nobody else
Once again, ERIC…you don’t know that to be true…these sorts of opinions are not helpful in the discourse on race relations in this country. Automatically assuming racism is, like Denny says, “the easy way out”.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I should have said that I think Alan might have been better off using a different poster boy instead of AL. Maybe someone with a little more style.
Also I didn’t link the monkey with the president at all.
ERICG…could it be MLK?
February 19th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
JARED
By saying you don’t see racist intent which I have said is not important issue denies History of symbolism involved and by you saying you don’t believe it was there automatically assumes the author did not intend and denies black racist remarks and patterns in America
You say I am looking for it when there is no need to look for it if one understands history it is obvious intended or not
You cannot tell people who have faced this can of bigotry that they should not be offended.
I am not actively looking for History Screams of it
Learn the history and symbolism and you will understand why people are offended..
Amonkey is one of the most racist terms you can use
Ever wonder why they did not use a different Symbol?
Read up and you will see……………
Is is that type of understanding that will grow America
February 19th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
jaredfromtexas: “you don’t know that to be true…these sorts of opinions are not helpful in the discourse on race relations in this country.”
Come on Jared. You deny that in that picture two white officials are killing a ‘monkey’ that wrote the stimulus bill. The monkey is clearly meant to be thought of as a person who can write. The last person in charge of writing a stimulus bill is Barack Obama. It is evident and disgusting. Are you that naive?
February 19th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
If a monkey is running the nation , what part of the food chain do the “NY POSTs” belong to?
February 19th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Maybe it should have been a picture of a pig because of all the pork in the bill. Just a thought.
February 19th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Hmm, I think you’re correct Willy. A pig would have been much better, at least I would have got it.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
If it had been a pig with lipstick would the left be upset that they were attacking Palin?
February 19th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Are you that naive?
How upset were you when they drew Dubya as a monkey?
February 19th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Pino, Bliss -
Neither of those examples has a racist undertone.
(and to answer both of your questions, not very upset, though neither sound very funny, nor was this cartoon)
February 19th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Neither of those examples has a racist undertone.
Get over the race thing.
If you want to stop making race an issue, the best way is to stop making race an issue.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
DENNY, VEGASLIB,
the two of you are just looking for racist undertones…I’ve already said that I believe the monkey was a reference to one of the two major stories this week on the news…the stimulus bill being one, and the monkey getting shot, the other.
DENNY,
Yes, I understand history…and you repeatedly saying the term “monkey” is one of the most racist terms you could use is true…HOWEVER, you’ve taken this CARTOON and gone off the deep end.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I think it’s more offensive that they are trying to make a joke out of that horrible chimpanzee attack. It may or may not be subtle racial dig, but it’s at least saying “a monkey could write a better bill.”
February 19th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
When I looked at the monkey, I thought of the chimp that was shot and the fact that the government is monkeying around with my money.
Obama didn’t write the bill. Now can we move on?
It seems to me that those who constantly scream racism might actually be the most racist of all.
February 19th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Blissful Conservative,
Amen
February 19th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
I’m in an American History class right now. That cartoon looks like the stuff produced by racists. I don’t kno what is in anyone’s heart. Do you?
February 19th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I’m sure Bliss and JFA are unaware of the (quite recent) history of comparing black people to monkeys, and perhaps this cartoonist and the editorial staff of The Post were unaware as well.
But we are probably not so post racial a society that it is not legitimate to raise one’s eyebrows when such a link has potentially been made.
February 19th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
BarryB
I agree, much ado about nothing, really. Although the fact that this ‘cartoonist’ HAS been accused of racism before probably means that he likes to stir the pot, so to speak…a bit like portraying jews with horns, or chinese with huge teeth and glasses…stupid, and typical of this type of rag, but no big deal…
welcome to LL!
February 19th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
You know I understand that its only a few decades since significant injustice was still imposed on African-Americans but the paranoia/hysteria/sensitivity today does not help us get over it.
One of my best friends (whom is black) used to object to me at work referring to the word ’slave’ when used in a technical context. For example, there are ’slave’ hard drives and its also often used to describe a backup system/component (the ’slave’ system) etc.
I kid you not..
My philosophy is, if you want to be treated the same as everyone else then stop asking to be treated differently to everyone else. Is that ‘racist’ or unreasonable?
February 19th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Lee said: My philosophy is, if you want to be treated the same as everyone else then stop asking to be treated differently to everyone else. Is that ‘racist’ or unreasonable?
K: See, Lee, yet ANOTHER thing we agree on. ;-)
February 19th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
[...] chimp to the author of the stimulus plan, the Editor-in-Chief of the New York Post issued a defensive statement. Now, after more uproar, the Post put up a non-apology apology on its web [...]
February 19th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
THE CHIMP DOES NOT REPRESENT OBAMA IN ANYWAY…THE LOGICAL SATIRE DOES NOT INCLUDE OBAMA, THE CARTOON IS NOT RACIST, NOR DOES IT CONDONE VIOLENCE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.
There I computer screamed it. I win.
February 20th, 2009 at 2:03 am
You know this cartoon is nothing more than a sophisticated Rosarch test, you see what you want to see…………..
February 20th, 2009 at 3:02 am
You know this cartoon is nothing more than a sophisticated Rosarch test, you see what you want to see…………..
Posted by trees are people too
Interesting way to look at it.
Can something be racist if it was not deciminated with the intent of being racist?
February 20th, 2009 at 3:07 am
Hi Guido, I’m headed off to bed, but I wanted to send a quick reply.
John chapter 9, the blind man.
The disciples asked Christ who had sinned that had caused the man to be born blind, the man or his parents.
Christ replies,
I believe this speaks about the spiritual blindness that all of us are born with.
Further I believe that Christ seeks to save those who are lost. How?
Through the conscience, it literally means “with knowledge”.
We knowingly do wrong, and when we do our conscience speaks to us, God communicates to us through the conscience, He seeks us, not vice versa.
We have the ability to respond, and we can then be healed as the blind man was, the gift of healing was performed for the purpose of allowing the man to see his savior, as he expresses so profoundly,
Have a good night, I’m off to bed………..
February 20th, 2009 at 3:44 am
Although I tend to favor the personalization of scripture to help us in our daily issues, I believe facts are simply that the guy was blind not because of someone’s sin, but rather that he would be there and Jesus would heal his blindness to witness unto those present that he had the power, and that he was the Christ, or Messiah. Spiritual blindness is an interesting topic though.
February 20th, 2009 at 4:21 am
There I computer screamed it. I win.
Guido makes a good point, I think that settles it.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I figure that’s how Alan wins all his arguments on the radio when neither side is making headway, so I might as well give it a go…I don’t have the ability to hang up though.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Yea, I actually thought yours was a pretty funny post.
As for Alan, I’d say he is quite a bit more fair than most radio hosts, in some cases I wish he would hang up sooner – but the fact that he actually lets so many different opinions on the air, and is usually reasonably respectful, makes him my favorite talk show host.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:01 am
for the most part he is fair…but sometimes he just gets fed up and starts yelling and then hangs up, which just seems out of character and usually I turn the volume down in silent protest when he does it.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Jared
The deep end are you serious? You need to get out of Texas.
Not all all raise the Southern flag are bigots some just
love the south and are proud of it. However if they find out
the foundation of the flag and its bases being the slavery
south wanting to succeed from the north and the economic
foundation of racism and slavery they will see how this Flag
is offensive to many African Americans etc and stop using it.
If they don’t then they cross from ignorance to bigotry…
If you understand the history of racist language and what a
Monkey represents and see in this cartoon its tie to the
Stimulus PKG and a Black President. Also if you understand
the history of conflict with police and history of police
brutality especially during Jim Crow South and Civil Rights
Movement (Remember Fire Houses?) Then you will see with
clarity how an African American or any fair minded person
would interpret this cartoon. The symbols scream out of
history you are obviously not sensitive to it or ignorant.
But once you become aware it is up to you whether it turns
into to bigotry. You say you don’t take cartoons seriously
and therefore would not get offended at the Hick/Bush being
shot example I gave. If this is true then your arguments are
NON Secutar you should not even be in this discussion since
these things in general don’t offend you. If none offend you
then debating if this is offensive is unfair it just move on
it is not your area….
But if you don’t understand the outrage and what a balck
persons sees now that you have been made aware of history
then you are a bigot. There is no way around it
Talk about a sterotype you being from Texas is so poetic…
February 20th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Denny,
Thank you for that. I agree with just about everything you said. Church does not fit into my equation but other then that you are of the same opinion as me. Both sides have plenty of blame, and both sides have the heads to far up there backside to see it.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:12 am
PINO
ARE YOU THAT IGNORANT? There is no racial overtones to painting Bush as A Monkey.
That does not mean it is not offensive I have not seen it…
And yes there were depictions of Bush hat crossed the line.
Buy why conservatives feel the need to always play volleyball
with issues amazes me. If you found that offensive why not
this cartoon?
February 20th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Not that I don’t agree with you Denny but my above post was in reference to another thread. Somehow when I went to post I jumped threads and responed to you about someone elses comment on a different thread. That is why it doesn’t make any sence.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:25 am
DENNY,
Yes…serious.
The Stars and Bars flag…completely agree that it’s symbolism is rooted in hate and ignorance…but that is a well-known fact and historically accurate. However, you continue to try to interpret the cartoon as racist when there is no racsim there. What if the monkey were replaced by a cracker? Would you and I be having this discussion? Somehow I doubt it.
You call me a bigot because I don’t agree with your interpretation of the cartoon; I call you a bigot for automatically assuming it is race-based.
How can I say this to you without hurting your feelings any more than they already are: get over it. The NY Post has said there is nothing racist about the intent of the cartoon…so this whole debate is moot.
Have a good day!
February 20th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Stars and Bars was co-opted by the racists a long time ago, and non racist stars and bars supporters didn’t do enough to protect it’s heritage from those who co-opted it.
It is now a racist symbol, regardless of the fact that some folks who are proud of the south, but not racist, would like it to be otherwise.
They (we) should have done more to protect it from the racists who have co-opted it. It’s a bit late now.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Sorry Jared
I call you a bigot because even though you know history of race in this country you ignore the obvious manifestation of racism in this cartoon So you cannot claim ignorance but bigotry is the only logical coclussion.
You analogy makes no sense of cause if it was cracker it would not be offensive it is not a racist figure unless it was used to put down a white person then yes It would be racist…Because unlike you I am consistant.
There you go again playing volleyball motivated by your white fear.
NY POST SAYS SO WOW that is your final authority
This Cartoon is obvious if you don’t believe me take black people you know and one of their ideas and portray it as a monkey being shot. Totally innocent right?
Remember you are portraying the idea…
Watch reaction
Ridiculously racist. Go to:
Thesockobama.com/index.html
History of Racist term: Alt-Find term Monkey and how many times this refers to blacks.
thebirdman.org/Index/Others/Others-Doc-Race&Groups-General/+Doc-Race&Groups-General-General&Msc/RacistTerms&Origins.htm
Simian depiction and derision of black people is nothing new. Indeed, just the history behind such a practice is enough to ink it into the vast racist lexicon. But the specific mechanics as to why it is such an abhorrent racist practice should be lost on no one.
In the universal present sense, it’s a matter of subjugation through dehumanization, a practice that has its historical roots that crawl all the way back to when they were called savages. In a way, such subjugation, the intellectual practice of reasoning that a person can be less than a person, partially justified invading a people’s land, butchering them, enslaving them, etc.
Why not? They’re savages or monkeys.
Update the practice to a time when there are mixed societies, where laws should provide people of all color with the same rights and priveleges, again the imagery and the underlying intent behind it continues to justify heinous behavior against people of color.
For a slightly different perspective, if you ever take a stroll through some white supremacist sites, you’ll eventually pick up on one thing; the white supremacists who make it a matter of culture as opposed to species are the nice white supremacists (if there is actually such a thing, which there really isn’t).
All of this goes quite a bit more in depth, but this should give you the basic understanding that calling a black person a monkey, or depicting them through drawings or toys, is itself demeaning and wrong. I really wished I didn’t have to explain this, but apparently I do.
It would be if there were any in stock, and let me tell ya, they are just WILD about their little toy. Whether the company selling the toy actually knows about their racial transgression is uncertain, given that emails for further clarification behind the intent of their product have thus far gone unanswered.
Is it possible that the real estate player just wanted to put out a cute doll in effigy of a political opponent? I suppose stranger things could happen, but I find it highly unlikely. Far more likely this is either a truly racist push, or it’s a political play on racism.
Neither is particularly savory.
No, even if you aren’t a racist, stirring up racial tension for political gain makes you no better, possibly worse, than real racists in my book (and to be sure, I don’t think it’s possible to cynically use race in politics without harboring racism yourself).
UMA Stars and strips was not co-opted by racists but founded by them.
Good day. Case closed.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:38 am
UMA Stars and strips was not co-opted by racists but founded by them.
So the civil war was all about nice, good, civil minded Northerners (many of whom were slave owners, others of whom were slave traders) against the evil, racist southerners?
LOL – obviously history is written by the victors, but it’s pretty funny how naive some people are. Pretty much the whole country was over the top racist at the time, Denny – The North and South didn’t go to war over the North trying to help the black man out. Though if you are from the Bronx, it might be comfortable for you to think so.
Good day. Case closed. Even more closed than before. So closed that you physically will be unable to respond. As closidy as a case can get. The closiest.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
By the way – having just heard the portion of Alan’s show where he played the 911 call, and explained the chimp attack story (I hadn’t heard anything about it before). I would say this cartoon is even more offensive as a parody of that tragic event than any possible racism.
What a sad, sad story.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Denny, as long as you live in the past you will never escape it and be free.
If you are ever vigilant and constantly looking for perceived racism you will become hyper vigilant, and you will see racism under every rock and hiding behind every tree.
I worked in the Bronx Denny, and I can tell you that the knife of racism cuts both ways.
Was the Post racist in publishing that cartoon, I don’t know, only they know for sure.
Was it insensitive, sure.
Sometimes we need to rise above the behavior of others, and by so doing, we shall overcome.
Say hi to the people of the Bronx for me brother, I miss NY sometimes, sincerely trees
February 20th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Um
I never said the North were a bunch of Pious lovers of blacks or were completely innocent on the slave issue.
Interesting that is how you read it sounds a bit defensive
“I think thou protest too much.”
But too deny the history of the South and its foundations Jim Crow etc segregation would be insane……..
Live with the truth it is a hisry you have to deal with don’t be in denial.
Just move forward
Feel Better
February 20th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Trees
I am not living in the past at all in fact I think the cartoon and its defenders are. We need to move past these type of images and what they betray so there is no reason to depict them
The Nazi Symbol will always be be that no matter how much time goes bye
And betraying a monkey and cop shooting tied to a black man directly indirectly intention or not will always carry those meanings that is reality.
I never said hate does not go both ways
But we are dealing with this cartoon in this article not a different one.
Conservatives need to stop playing volleyball and deal with issue at hand.
I condemn all hate from all sides….Including AL Sharpton’s ant-Semitic remarks over the years.
Come back to Bronx :)
February 20th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Um
It is a terrible story so why use that story about a monkey attacking a person to depict stimulus with all the other ways artist could have made a statement?
Again as one comedian said his biggest shock his “How white people just don’t get it.”
I have to agree it is truly amazing………….Ho ignorant a portion of white society is to race issues.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
DENNY,
I give the benefit of the doubt to the author of the cartoon, instead of immediately jumping to the conclusion that it was race-based…and I’m living in the past. Hmm…you may have gotten that one a bit backwards.
And I’d have to say black people don’t get it…you don’t get there’s not racism everywhere you turn, or in every image you see, or in every word you read. For a group of people who are constantly trying to change the future of race relations…there sure are a lot of you looking backwards.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Interesting that is how you read it sounds a bit defensive
Actually it just irritates me that many Northerners pretend that racism is a southern thing.
But too deny the history of the South and its foundations Jim Crow etc segregation would be insane……..
Not that your sentence makes much sense, but I’m not sure anyone on this blog has denied Jim Crow or segregation (segregation being another phenomena not limited to the South, by the way). And the issue was around the flag, which is absolutely a racist symbol, because racists appropriated it as such. It could have been a symbol of southern pride, had racists not appropriated it and/or non racist southerners been more outraged and vocal over the racists use of it. It’s too late now.
But all this is moot, as I have already declared the case closed.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I had some great times there; you got me thinking and reminiscing about those days, one of the best jobs I ever had was in Wakefield, right there by the el train on 241st. The 5 boroughs are a very unique place, and the autumn out there is special, as are the bagels and coffee. I grew to like the working people of New York, they have a very interesting sense of humor.
But I’ve been out here in California for the last 17 years now, and I’m married so, I’ll be here for awhile yet, take care Denny, your friend trees
February 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Jared. Again you are dealing with intent URG….Ignoring history etc.. If a Pharmacist gave you the wrong medication by mistake and it did damage would it matter what the intent was or what damage was done? You are too bigoted too see so forget it.
Funny and UM is SOUTHERN do I see a pattern of ignorance here LOL
UM WRITES
“Actually it just irritates me that many Northerners pretend that racism is a southern thing.’
Thank you for explaining defensiveness I don’t see it as a southern thing but it does have a larger history and most civil rights cases on issues have come from south including ones on interracial marriage.
Funny when conservatives call themselves colorblind what that really means his an ignorance of the history of race in this country therefore they have no understanding of the sensitivity of blacks on this issue because they don’t see one. They say “We don’t see color” That can be a good thing if it does not include denying history and reality. But sadly in most cases like that of Um and Jared it does.
America will remain divided because of this…..
If this was a stretch like when blacks activists complained in movies like Star Wars the bad guys wear black and that is racist I FOUND SILLY AND THE WRONG HILL TO DIE ON FOR SURE
Like many complaints
But this cartoon is in your face basic 101 insensitivity with all racist symbols and red flags and still many defend it.
Sad real Sad
February 20th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Take care trees.
The Bronx is a much better place these days…..
I am in Riverdale
All the best
February 20th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Funny when conservatives call themselves colorblind what that really means his an ignorance of the history of race in this country therefore they have no understanding of the sensitivity of blacks on this issue because they don’t see one. They say “We don’t see color” That can be a good thing if it does not include denying history and reality. But sadly in most cases like that of Um and Jared it does.
LOL, I’m pretty sure you are Bad Mr. Frosty, or another poster having a bit of fun – but I’ll play along.
Where did you get the impression that I was a conservative, or that I have ever said something as silly as ‘I don’t see color’?
February 20th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
You know, times like this is when I truly question whether this is really Liberalland or not.
Stupid comments like “..racism works both ways..” and ’sometimes we have to get over the past..’ and ’stop looking backwards…”
Jesus H Christ almighty people. A mere two generations ago there were seperate bl**dy fountains for blacks in your country, so don’t sit there and pretend that you’ve all ‘moved on’ and that the playing field is now level…blah blah blah.
goog grief
February 20th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Um I am sorry I did not mean that for you i was speaking in General terms
Thanks
February 20th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
As time goes by, people like me, just see racism as stupid and something that is dying and in the past.
I literally knew about 10 black people until I turned 19, I knew thousands of mexicans but white/black racism just wasn’t even an issue growing up. There was one black girl in my grade and we were friendly, and I am confident in saying that her and her family and her cousins (who were the only black people in the community) didn’t have a racism problem. Today I’m the primary caregiver to my biracial stepson. It’s hard to say what my son thinks about racism, but I’ve never seen him be treated differently at school or in the community because of his color.
So even though two generations ago there were seperate water fountains in parts of the world, this doesn’t mean anything to people my age and in my neck of the woods, it doesn’t matter anything to my stepson…and probably to the writer of the cartoon. So just like Howard Cosell he gets a bad rap (HC also called a white player a monkey on the air, and according to his family often used the term monkey with his own grandkids)
So, perhaps I’m not the best judge of racist overtones..but as an observer, I can say that there isn’t anything “ist” against black people in this cartoon, even though monkey/chimp may have racist connotations, this cartoon doesn’t reference a black person, and ergo, isn’t “ist”
Now I grew up (and still live) in a predominantly hispanic community, I can truly say I am the minority. I can speak with certainty that in my town there was and is white and hispanic emnity (I’m not ever sure if racism is the right word here)but it’s mostly dissipating. When I was young there was a huge influx of poor non-english speakers, and it created a lot of tension in the community as the older members tried to adapt. However as the 2nd and 3rd generation of these immigrants come through the schools and take root in the community a lot of that tension is abated.
The result of all this in my life is that I probably know more spanish bad words than I should be proud of, and I probably know more offensive ways to refer to Mexicans than I should be proud of, but I also have dozens and dozens of close Hispanic friends and an unnatural love of tamales.
February 21st, 2009 at 5:26 am
Frosty,
“Stupid comments like “..racism works both ways..” and ’sometimes we have to get over the past..’ and ’stop looking backwards…” ”
I’m surprised you feel this way and I totally disagree. Do you really think racism is just one-sided? Is that your honest worldview?
Do you really think people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson help heal divisions in this country?
The way to solve racism is to simply treat it as unacceptable behavior that is in many cases a criminal offence. People should stop drawing attention to the fact many people happen to have different skin color. The more the latter happens and the more people of one ethnicity are vilified for the racial crimes of their ancestors (or in many cases not even their ancestors), the more the problem will be perpetuated through future generations.
February 21st, 2009 at 8:28 am
DENNY
Once again, taking the argument to a completely unrelated topic: medication?
Believe me, I understand the history of the US…and your harping on it in each of your posts isn’t going to educate me any more than I already am.
HOWEVER, arguing historical precedent as justification for your “racist intent” argument is just plain “ignorant” as it doesn’t make sense.
If you’re not educated enough to recognize a clever and satirical representation of the US Congress, and instead focus on the “monkey” part of the cartoon as a racist reference to Obama…then you’re stuck, my friend. Stuck in a bad way.
February 21st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
[...] continues from Sean Delonas’ NY Post cartoon of a monkey as the author of the stimulus bill being shot by two armed officers. Now, Benjamin [...]
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:46 am
“”I’m surprised you feel this way and I totally disagree. Do you really think racism is just one-sided? Is that your honest worldview?”"
Absolutely Lee. ‘Racism’ is derived from tribalism which is as ancient as man. Tribalism that is.
‘Racism’ as we understand it, is a fairly recent manmade invention.
Here’s why.
More than 20,000 years ago, it was unlikely that a man, within his lifetime, would come into contact with a different ‘race’. In fact, the whole concept of ‘race’ is scientifically flawed anyway, but that’s a different story…
The average human would never encounter people of vastly different skin tone, for instance. The distances were great and covered slowly over many thousands of years!
Anyway, the point is, that in the last few thousand years, as white Europeans used their geographical necessities to devolop technologies and agriculture – other cultures, esp in sub-saharan Africa where able to survive quite well with a ’simpler’ lifestyle.
That means that when Eupopeans first encountered Africans they regarded them as sub-human and ‘inferior’, something that today we know is nonsense.
But, as you know, it lead to hundereds of years of exploitation, slavery and bigotry…not so much because europeans were ‘eveil’ but because they thought, based on biblical text as well, that they were entited to!
And so no, racism does NOT work both ways, Lee…one party is always the downtrodden…the ‘lesser’ race. One group is always the user, and the other the used.
This is not just true in white-black relationships…it happens in asia as well, etc etc.
BUT, in North America, it has ALWAYS been the black man that has been on the receiving end. And not just slavery, mate, life ain’t been no barrel of monkeys (oops) for those of African descent SINCE slavery either.
I wish US textbooks didn’t act as though the emanciaption Proclamation was the beginning of a level playing field, lol.
African americans continue to, and will continue to be at a huge disadvantage in this society. 40 years ago there were seperate fountains, and yes, maybe young folks today think that ‘racism’ is a thing of the past…and it is slowly ebbing away….but it will take a few more generations to ‘level’ this field, my friend.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just flip a switch and announce OK, we’re ‘equal’…now it’s every man for himself.
It doesn’t work that way, Lee. And I’m surprised YOU would think it does!
Just like the hundred years since Victorian ages it has taken to cast of the yoke of religion, and the ball and chain of ‘classism’, I suspect it will be a few more generations yet, before true equality is achieved.
Just as long as i hear stupid and ignorant comments like “get over it” and “forget the past”…I know there is a long way to go.
Forget the past? Nice try white-man.
“Those who read not their history, are doomed to repeat it”
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
BAD MR FROSTY, explain that to JAREDFROMTEXAS.
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:24 pm
FROSTY,
Nice history lesson…however, racism DOES go both ways, despite your eloquent story telling. Would you agree there is racism within races? If so, your argument is moot.
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:40 pm
There is, although personally, I don’t really accept the term ‘race’, when referring to the modern world, but for arguments purposes, yes there is, Jared.
And, it is indeed one way. Because one group is ALWAYS the downtrodden, and the other, always the downtrodder*.
In general, in societies touched by western influence…the lighter the skin tone, the higher the status.
What’s your point. That you still don’t like history?
* Kreggism – a ‘made-up word to further one’s argument
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Main Entry:
rac•ism
Pronunciation:
\ˈrā-ˌsi-zəm also -ˌshi-\
Function:
noun
Date:
1933
a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
So you tell me Mr. Evolutionist, is everybody evolving in exactly the same way and equally, irrespective of climate or cultures according to you’re evolutionary views??
Explain to me speciation using your evolutionary world view as it pertains to humans, if you would please……..
Don’t your beliefs support one group advancing and evolving to a new and superior form, while others go extinct??
Please share……….
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
McFROSTY,
I don’t like history? That’s a stretch. I love history; however, using historical precedent to argue the inference (imagined, in this case) of a cartoon is just wrong.
On one hand there are those people who proceed with caution regarding things like this, and there are those who will automatically jump to a preconceived conclusion. This is a perfect example of people inferring something that just isn’t there in order to gain political advantage. I wonder why Jesse Jackson hasn’t said anything about this cartoon? Could it be that he sees the cartoon for what it really is? Just a satirical depiction of Congress? HMM?
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:46 pm
My comment. The guy who drew this is a racist, pure and simple. Should we be outraged? Yes. Will we be? Only if it’s politically expedient.
Oh, by the way, IF a monkey had written the bill, it would have actually created jobs, as it is the clown who wrote it just cow-towed to his liberal base and did a classic money grab. The country will not survive such things.
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:07 pm
It wasn’t racist..
Monkeys may well be a common ethnic slur for black people but its also a historic symbol of ‘foolish/slapstick’ behavior.
Since it referred to the ‘writer of the bill’ and not the ’signer of the bill’ or any other vague reference to the president, it was clear to most people that it wasn’t intended to be racist or even refer to Obama at all (who certainly isn’t foolish).
If the real monkey (chimp) hadn’t caused a tragedy and have been shot (e.g if it had just escaped harmlessly) then the joke would have been quite funny.
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I guess we are going to have to ban the phrase “monkeying around” and “monkey business” too, just so we can be politically correct.
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
We as a country should just sit back and watch this president to the best that any human can do under these circumstances. We should focus on getting rid of this black/white/straight/gay, etc. crazyness. “Can we all just get along?”
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:10 am
[...] Rupert Murdoch published a personal statment in the paper, apologizing for the Sean Delonas cartoon that seemed racially motivated and offended so many. He said he is ultimately responsible and the [...]
February 24th, 2009 at 10:29 am