Murdoch Apologizes For Cartoon
In a rare move, New York Post Chairman Rupert Murdoch published a personal statement 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 buck stops with him. And he promised greater sensitivity in the future.
Last week, we made a mistake. We ran a cartoon that offended many people. Today I want to personally apologize to any reader who felt offended, and even insulted.
Over the past couple of days, I have spoken to a number of people and I now better understand the hurt this cartoon has caused. At the same time, I have had conversations with Post editors about the situation and I can assure you – without a doubt – that the only intent of that cartoon was to mock a badly written piece of legislation. It was not meant to be racist, but unfortunately, it was interpreted by many as such.
We all hold the readers of the New York Post in high regard and I promise you that we will seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community.
As someone who was critical of this cartoon and the initial Post reaction (and, yes, as an employee of Mr. Murdoch, so sue me), it is refreshing to see this kind of corporate responsibility.
Apology NOT accepted. Bring in “The Donald” and have him deal with the cartoonist and editor properly – “You’re Fired!”
February 24th, 2009 at 10:50 am
In other news, Faceman apologizes to B.A. Baracus for helping Murdoch get him onto airplanes and helicopters against his will.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:04 am
“It was not meant to be racist…”
The intent behind any creative work doesn’t really matter a damn. It’s the artist’s job to communicate, especially in the case of political cartoons, and the best you could possibly say in this case is that the Delonas cartoon is fatally flawed.
And a guy like Murdoch should know that the NY Post does not rely on Wall Street raiders for its readership.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:19 am
“I promise you that we will seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community.”
WOW admitting this lacked sensitivity is good enough for me.
So all those defending it based on Artists intent can now step back. To all those who said that was good enough for them can now be silent
All I said wast this cartoon screamed of Racist symbolism and attitudes that are offensive and in the least insensitive to the feeling of the black community and those that know the history of this kind of depiction.
Even the man himself Mr Post Mr Fox news admits a lack of understanding………WOW
Now will those on this board who have lacked such feelings wake up doubtIT but it does not matter
To use there own words THIS STATEMENT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME………………LOL
February 24th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Notice Murdock does excuse based on supposed good intentions.
He understands why this is offensive and lakes sensitivity……………..GET IT JARED LOL
Case closed
February 24th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Rupert Murdoch — Yes, Rupert Murdoch — Apologizes for Accidentally Racist Cartoon at The New York Post…
by Damozel | Truthfully? I don’t believe for a second that the cartoon was inspired by any racist animus or that the dead chimp portrayed as the author of the stimulus package was meant to be Barack Obama. I think it was unfunny and even slightly ewww…
February 24th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Buck Naked
No matter it was Racially insensitive if anyone has an issue with that argue with Murdock HE AGREES
WHEN IN DOUBT ARGUE INTENT BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE PROVEN WE CANNOT READ HEARTS OR MINDS……….
Again the issue is as previously stated.
Danka
February 24th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Like i said on another post. Murdoch is becoming a moderate. He was mad at 1st wind of this issue.
On Countdown Keith O pointed that fact out. The man is at odds with Billo as well. Mainly for the over the top rantings of his no.1 product THE FACTOR.
Murdoch is about money and he stepped up to the plate on this. He wants people buying his paper.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Aw, how cute. Murdoch came out to play after all. Well, honestly he can save him statements and just fire that cartoonist. Delonas should have a little taste of being jobless like so many other Americans right now. Normally I wouldn’t say that but this Delonas guy is just a piece of crud and I’d probably get in a fight with him if we ever crossed paths.
Weird how conservatives ALL view this image as non-racist and ALL liberals view it as so. It goes it what I always say about the left / right divide. This all comes to world view and the way you were brought up.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I didn’t see it as racist, just really stupid and insensitive. I felt that what the cartoonist simply ment to imply was like the equally stupid Geico ads about, “So easy, even a caveman can do it.”, that the stimulus was so poorly put together that even a chimp’ could have written it.
However, the actual incident that occured where a real chimp was shot dead by officers, no matter how, strange or unwise keeping a chimp as a pet may be, envolved a family pet that apparently was deeply loved for around 15 yrs. by a lonely older woman who had lost her daughter in an auto accident. The chimp had for some reason gone berserk and almost killed the woman’s best friend, damaging her hands and face so badly, that she is presently at the Cleveland Clinic still fighting for her life and may need a face transplant, and be crippled for life. Everyone who knew these people, and the people themselves are in shock and devestated that this pet, who had always seemed to be loving and gentle could do this, and the woman whose chimp it was is in shock and grief for her friend, and for her pet.
For anyone to think it would be “humorous” to use any part of this extremely tragic and horrific event to make any kind of cartoon political or otherwise is to me unspeakable. It shows me a person with seemingly no feelings or empathy for anyone.
Yes, a chimp’ might seem to many people to be “stupid” for anyone to have as a pet. But, he was once tiny, cute and cuddly. What if someones beloved dog, who have always been loving and tolerant toward everyone, suddenly for no apparent reason severly mauled a close friend, almost to death? And then the woman had to stab her pet and call the police to shoot him, and he ran to her and died in her house. This woman is so tramatized already, as I am sure is the family of her friend, that for anyone to feel that “It was funny.”??? “Funny” enough, to be used in a cartoon about anything, is just plan insensitive and extremely STUPID!! I do cartoons myself, but I feel this cartoonist ought to at the least be given some time off for this one. And, WHO approved this?? They ought to be in trouble as well, not for racism, but for “extreme insensitive stupidly”
February 24th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Linda
“I didn’t see it as racist, just really stupid and insensitive.”
I think you worded it correctly what bothers me is how in the least of things people do not see it as insensitive. Can one be that ignorant of racial symbolism and history of race in this country the answer sadly is yes..The fact it was approved scares me more.
Racist? Only creator and editor knows.
Overtones of racism -no doubt-
I agree the tragedy of the case is lost………..
Thanks
February 24th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
People grow up and get a thicker skin..there was no racial undertones or anything else it was a joke not really funny but a joke anyway. The things people worry about “wow”
February 24th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I don’t see why that apology is any different than the NY Post apology, other than the lack of a snarky addendum
February 25th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Hey like i said argue with Murd…
Guido-Big difference he admits they need to be more sensitive..
Get it?
LOL
February 25th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Yea Libs win again
Like Obama said party is over guys
hehehhehe
February 25th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
sensitive to people who don’t get jokes…
February 26th, 2009 at 3:17 am
Denny,
“Can one be that ignorant of racial symbolism and history of race in this country the answer sadly is yes..”
Cannot disagree more strongly, this is nonsense. Racism is a bad thing and unacceptable in our society. However, it has got to the point where it is rammed down our throats from childhood, to where many people who have never even been racist, resent being made to feel guilty for a crime they have never committed in mind or in action.
Does racism happen? Sure, everyday.. same as a lot of other crimes.. But are those people who commit those acts ignorant of history and what they are doing? Absolutely not.. in the same way a burglar knows full well what he/she is doing is wrong as well.
The ‘chimp’ used in this cartoon was not racist. If the post had used a symbol like a Swastika or something similar which has no other connotation in ‘modern’ society other than to represent hate/racism etc then you’d have a point.
If the vast majority of non African-Americans had looked at that cartoon and considered it racist, you’d have a point. But they didn’t (at least by my straw polls), which is my clue that this wasn’t racist or intended to be racist and instead people offended by it need to turn down their sensitivity meters a notch.
I’ve stated before that if you want to truly heal racial divides in this country then stop making the divides and trying to create them at every given opportunity.
February 26th, 2009 at 6:40 am
amen
February 26th, 2009 at 6:47 am
I have stated several times ,if you met me i am dark as coal. I am 1 dark brother. I don,t find the cartoon as racial even thou monkeys have been compared to black people.
I got it from the start speaking of the cartoon. That monkey was used in movies and ads that attack a woman last week in Hollywood.
I have stated several times on this post that the opinion cartoonist took story from Hollywood and tied it into the stimlus package. The officers killed the monkey.
With Obama being the 1st black president,i can see the rage,protest and it was all warrent. Alot of didn,t have a clue about the hollywood monkey star getting shot for attacking a woman last week.
February 26th, 2009 at 7:57 am