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NY Post cartoon - troublesome at best...
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By now you should have all seen the political cartoon which ran in the New York Post on Page Six bemoaning the economic stimulus plan championed by President Obama.
It's safe to say it has its supporters and its detractors. But this particular cartoon has come under fire for allegedly characterizing President Obama as a chimpanzee as its chief supporter.
For those unaware of eastern seaboard news, a pet chimpanzee recently mauled a woman in New York. So on the surface, the mixture of unrelated news events into a singular political cartoon is not an unusual occurrence. Such is the nature of the political cartoon, the juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated issues to stimulate both laughter and meaningful dialogue.
But...
But...
The troublesome part in this that when the principal individual in relation to the stimulus bill is the first African-American president...the assumption of the chimpanzee somehow "representing" President Obama is not an unrealistic or illogical one. Yes, one can argue that the "author" of the stimulus bill is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but the chief name associated with the stimulus plan is President Obama.
And let's probe that "alternative" explanation further...
Since when is it "more acceptable" to associate putting two slugs in the Speaker of the House, instead of the President? To those who may argue that the cartoon isn't racist and is directed at congress as a whole...since when is a political cartoon depicting the murder of Congress members "more acceptable" than comparing President Obama to a monkey (and putting two slugs in his chest.)? They're both completely unacceptable. This isn't an issue of political correctness, this is common sense...or should be.
That's for those who insist the cartoon is NOT racist. Remember, political cartoons are meant for interpretation and juxtaposition of multiple stories and images. Otherwise, they wouldn't be political cartoons. To African-Americans, we also see the stories of Oscar Grant and BART police officers in this cartoon.
Pick your poison here...but no matter what, the cartoon and its depiction are in exceedingly poor taste. Sniggle, chuckle, chortle, guffaw.
Not funny.
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