Is This Cartoon Racist?

TKO said:

no worries

Take a deep breath, Chai ... and perhaps a valium.

This keeps coming up, as though it were a cogent argument against a protest, because the protest is somehow a threat to the right of others to express themselves. Do not those who protest have a right express their opinions? Have you seen anybody in this debate state or even suggest that the cartoonist has no right to produce such drivel? If there is anyone here saying as much, i dissociate myself from that position. I have already pointed out that people have a right to say anything they like short of inciting to criminality, and that includes saying racist things. And other people have the right to protest against that which is racist.

What is most ludicrous here is that rightwingnuts (and i am not including you in that group) so often sneer at people they are pleased to see as dangerous leftists for their impotence and their whining. Yet in this situation, an argument such as this implies that merely protesting against something seen has having a racist content is effectively the same as censorship, despite the predictable sneer that leftists are impotent whiners. Those who are offended by this cartoon have no power to prevent such things from being produced and published. Far, far worse things are routinely published, both in print and online. Protesting against it does not constitute effective action to prevent the future publication of such things, nor suppress that which has been published.

No one "protects" black people nor "deflects" racist comments by protesting against such comment. They do exercise their right to self-expression just as do those who produce racist material. To claim that such material should not be the subject of protest does not feel right to me.

The problem with the cartoon, then, isn’t that it’s racist, it’s that it’s just pretty dumb.

That was an hilariously wicked little article.

Oh.

I did say that about the deflection and protection...but I was just asking a question - it could be because I am so used to people making fun of Bush - which truly is their right...I guess I assumed incorrectly that they were wanting to protect Obama from the same ridicule. Hopefully, the ridicule would not be because of his race - but knowing people - I fear that is much too much to hope. I try to be positive though...mostly.

Did I say that it should not be the subject of protest? I guess what I was trying to say - poorly apparently - was that it does seem there is an outcry here about something that does not really matter. Whether they did or didn't mean it racist - whether they were or weren't trying to imply that Obama was a chimp (I sincerely hope not) but it does not matter - it is a right to print it and that right generally causes us to know better where we stand - regardless of whether it was mean spirited or not. I guess I thought some here felt that the cartoon should not have been printed at all. I did state earlier it seems that people like nyah nyahing over this - so have at it. Enjoy!

Deploring racism is not an equivalent to a childish "nyah-nyahing" of something which one does not like. But if you think that is all it's worth, enjoy.

damn...I did put that Kick Me sign on my back didn't I?

that's not what I meant...you win Set.

I'm not trying to win, Miss Mi . . . anyway, i've never been able to collect my prizes from the jokers who run this place. I understand if you don't consider this a big deal--others beg to differ, however.

That's fine...I guess I am confused - everybody else puts their opinions down and asks questions...I am thinking through and trying to figure out if I am trying to keep others from expressing theirs. That is not my intention - but my sureness over my own feelings may very well have caused it to seem that way - if it did I am truly sorry. It is never a bad thing to be made to rethink how you speak or why you think the way you do...but I am competitive - and it gets in the way sometimes.

Thanks Set

Yup. It's time to stop the e-mail updates. (Way past time, prob'ly.)

Can't say I disagree with you too much there, Joe.

I already agreed with that. I thought the cartoon crude and insensitive, and I didn't appreciate it, but not because it was racist as I do not believe it was racist in any way.

I agree - the cartoonist must have understood that the cartoon would be taken as racist if he didn't he isn't much of political cartoonist.

However, anyone reading the NYPost would need to know that the entire rag is pretty much offensive so why would it surprise anyone that they would have an offensive cartoon?

You do fine without my advice, Darlin' . . . you have nothing to thank me for. You go right on ahead expressing your opinion, the way you see things, Miss Mi, and i'll go right on trying to humiliate and belittle you. We all have our little pleasures.

wow, that makes me feel better.



just kidding...sorta

That's just precious, Darlin' . . . thank you ! ! !

Oh that's funny and you know it.

Now that's racist! I'm surprised at you!

I was kidding! How was it racist? Am I over-reacting again?

I am sorry. I should not have put the cartoon of the stick person sticking out its tongue and flipping the bird with both hands, because Set said he was going to enjoy his continued belittling and humilating of my person. It was not wise upon reflection.