.jpg)
What isn't wrong with this picture? The Oklahoman's June 2 editorial cartoon entitled "Fiesta Time at the Confirmation Hearing" shows Latina Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor hanging like a piñata with President Barack Obama in a sombrero asking GOP elephants armed with sticks, "Who wants to be first?"
There are so many racist wrongs in this cartoon, it's tough to see what's right. But we'll give that a try. It's right to suggest that Ms. Sotomayor will face tough criticism from conservatives during the confirmation process. That's it. That's the only thing that is OK about this cartoon.
Other than that, all we see is a woman of Puerto Rican descent being hanged (or lynched) while an African American man (mocking her ethnic heritage by wearing a sombrero) takes great pleasure in handing out sticks to Republicans so they can beat her as though she were a piñata.
Bad taste aside, this cartoon barely stops short of a crime. Does this conservative newspaper really not know that first amendment rights do not protect suggesting a lynching?
The Huffington Post pointed to a blog entry by Oklahoma Women's Coalition chair Jean Warner, who wrote:
Oklahoma ranks as the 3rd worst state in the nation for women. Much of what holds Oklahoma women and girls back is linked to our state’s culture of violence and disrespect for women. Oklahoma ranks #4 in women murdered by men, #1 in child abuse and our domestic violence shelters are full of women escaping violence.
Sotomayor graduated summa cum laude from Princeton, received a JD from Yale Law School where she was an editor at the Yale Law Journal (but she grew up in the projects; obviously “that girl doesn’t know her place” - right? wink, wink). President George H.W. Bush nominated her to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York where she served with distinction (but she’s a woman and, worst yet, ambitious - right? wink, wink). She’s served on the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit for 10 years, heard over 3,000 cases and written over 380 opinions (but she’s of Puerto Rican descent ~~ ergo the piñata image - right? wink, wink).
Not funny; actually stupid and damaging. A picture speaks louder than words and that cartoon sends a message to women of all ages: “Back off. Know your place. Or we’ll take a stick to you and teach you a lesson.”
As members of the media, we find this cartoon beyond offensive. We find it dangerously suggestive that not only is violence against women and people of color OK, it is worthy of a good laugh. And the very idea that Mr. Obama would hand out weapons for a lynching, piñata-style or otherwise, is unspeakably offensive.
We know there are many good people in Oklahoma. We hope they boycott the Oklahoman and put it out of business.
Comments
Piñatas aren't part of Puerto Rican culture; they are part of Mexico's cultural heritage.
It looks like the cartoonish took pains to make sure the rope was not around her neck. Therefore, it's not a lynching, but the similarity in appearance is somewhat striking.
That cartoon is very funny. Get a life it is funny.
Calling this cartoon racist is ridiculous and your interpretation silly. It is not a lynching - it portrays Sotomayor as a symbolic pinata that no Senate Republicans dare to whack (i.e. criticize to forcefully as every image needs to be explained to you like to a six year old) the Sotomayor-pinata so as not to appear too mean in front of (because every forceful criticism of a racial minority and/or woman is labeled as racism/sexism respectively by many - just see the bogus accusations of sexism by the Hillary campaign) in front of the cameras lined up to the left. Obama's invitation is more reminiscent of Jesus' invitation to cast the first stone at the adulteress in GJohn and not "taking great pleasure in handing out sticks to Republicans". His sombrero is also not mocking but an appropriate headdress for a fiesta.
Loosen up just a notch, otherwise you might burst one of these days!
Lighten up people! I'm sure if u ask her how she feels after her confirmation hearings, she'll say that "pinata" sums it up pretty well.
By the way, do we really want a justice on the court who thinks the constitution is "optional"? I'll admit the founders did a terrible job w/the wording of the 2nd amendment, so I might have a little respect 4 her if she'd ruled that the 2nd amendment doesn't guarantee the "right" to keep and bear arms, but she actually said that a right granted by the U.S. constitution only applies to laws that the federal gov't might enact to curtail that right!!!!! Even a 5th grader knows that the constitution is the basic set of laws that apply to all Americans!!!! State/local gov'ts can't "opt-out" of the parts they don't like!!! I sure hope she doesn't think the 1st amendment is "optional" or I'm probably already in trouble!
The sombrero is not part of the Puerto Rican culture either, thus suggesting a strong sense of racism/stereotyping from the artist. I strongly suggest people get educated before publicizing incorrect / inconsistent content, which ultimately ends up embarrassing the publisher.
Just my $0.02 :)
This is actually tame for The Oklahoman. Check my site The Oklahoman Editorial Watch (google it!), give us some support. We gotta stand up to these jerks.
Not a lynching huh? Last time I checked, in Mexican culture, the point of having Piñatas and sticks is to hit until it breaks! You contradict yourself when you say that they don't dare to whack it and then comparing it to the Gospel, because in the Gospel they did want to cast the stones because in their heart and spirit they thought it was the correct thing. Ohh and what a coincidence that among so many symbols for a party they used the mexican fiesta sombrero... no rascist/stereotype at all right? John, you should read other posts before posting yourself. Sombrero, fiesta and piñatas are not puertorican nor latin it is mexican.
I am a Puerto Rican man and a liberal, and I wasn't offended by the cartoon. Aside from the mixing up of cultures, I found it pretty clear. It's obviously supposed to be a pinata and not a lynching. Obama is daring the Republicans to whack it, because they know everything they say is going to be scrutinized by the media. There's no rope around her neck, her features are cartoonishly exaggerated, even for a political cartoon, and they're all holding sticks, all point to pinata for someone who wants to actually look instead of jumping immediately to cries of racism.
He's daring them to swing because they'll look bad for criticizing her.
How ironic. It is really all white people getting whacked these days. The protected classes include pedophiles and every color but white. This rag should be boycotted.
im not a republican, but to answer the socialist Kenyans question "I DO!!!".
John, you nailed it...parody plain and simple...its a pinata not a lynching silly girl. By the way...if a cartoon showed GWB as a pinata, the left would be fighting over the sticks and who could swing first!
Well now after reading the comments we are all cleared up on the truth. Why did we need the cartoon again? I would like to add the question if you were assigned the job of how you would do a political cartoon to address the don't cast stones. What would you use as the theme.
What happened to conservative hating art anyway?
honestly, i think your interpretation of the cartoon is wrong. If you look at the elephant, they are all terrified because of the cameras. Clearly, the artist is saying that Obama is daring the republicans to go after Sotomayor but his popularity with the media makes it impossible for them. The pinata concept is obviously racist and in poor taste, but to say that this cartoon supports lynching is simply inaccurate.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!