You may remember last week there was some further trouble at the seemingly perpetually controversial New York Post.
An illustration in the Post, as drawn by Sean Delonas, supposedly compared President Barack Obama to a chimpanzee – or at least that is what race-relations groups seemed to purport. The cartoon caused debate online and off.
You can see from the illustration that two policemen are shown standing over the body of a chimpanzee they have just shot, as one officer says, “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.”
There were cries of racism and angry race debates back and forth about any negative intentions behind the imagery used. Seems the Post caught on to the the general consensus that the image could cause hurt feelings to certain members of the African American community in particular.
Further to that and taking it upon himself to air his feelings on the issue, singer John Legend wrote an open letter to the NY Post about his views on the image.
Dear Editor,
I’m trying to understand what possible motivation you may have had for publishing that vile cartoon depicting the shooting of the chimpanzee that went crazy. I guess you thought it would be funny to suggest that whomever was responsible for writing the Economic Recovery legislation must have the intelligence and judgment of a deranged, violent chimpanzee, and should be shot to protect the larger community. Really? Did it occur to you that this suggestion would imply a connection between President Barack Obama and the deranged chimpanzee? Did it occur to you that our President has been receiving death threats since early in his candidacy? Did it occur to you that blacks have historically been compared to various apes as a way of racist insult and mockery? Did you intend to invoke these painful themes when you printed the cartoon?
JUMP TO READ the rest of the letter ==>
If that’s not what you intended, then it was stupid and willfully ignorant of you not to connect these easily connectable dots. If it is what you intended, then you obviously wanted to be grossly provocative, racist and offensive to the sensibilities of most reasonable Americans. Either way, you should not have printed this cartoon, and the fact that you did is truly reprehensible. I can’t imagine what possible justification you have for this. I’ve read your lame statement in response to the outrage you provoked. Shame on you for dodging the real issue and then using the letter as an opportunity to attack Rev. Sharpton. This is not about Rev. Sharpton. It’s about the cartoon being blatantly racist and offensive.
I believe in freedom of speech, and you have every right to print what you want. But freedom of speech still comes with responsibilities and consequences. You are responsible for printing this cartoon, and I hope you experience some real consequences for it. I’m personally boycotting your paper and won’t do any interviews with any of your reporters, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the entertainment business to do so as well. I implore your advertisers to seriously reconsider their business relationships with you as well.
You should print an apology in your paper acknowledging that this cartoon was ignorant, offensive and racist and should not have been printed.
I’m well aware of our country’s history of racism and violence, but I truly believe we are better than this filth. As we attempt to rise above our difficult past and look toward a better future, we don’t need the New York Post to resurrect the images of Jim Crow to deride the new administration and put black folks in our place. Please feel free to criticize and honestly evaluate our new President, but do so without the incendiary images and rhetoric.
Sincerely,
John Legend
WHAT DO YOU THINK – Is the image racist or harmless fun?
Image credit to Demis Maryannakis / Splash News.
Could not agree with John Legend more – the cartoon is typical knuckle dragging blatant racism – totally offensive, and I am the one of the least P.C. people I know.
The NY Post is trash, and belongs at the bottom of birdcages everywhere.
Hi Kelly
Beautifully put!
I didn’t understand the fuss at first, but on a second look I think the pic may be racist too!
I disagree with Kelly. I would never let my birds shit on this crap paper. They deserve better. How could anyone NOT think this was a racist attack? If it was unintentional, then they have some seriously dumb f*cks working at the NY Post and they need to clear out the dead wood. If intentional, then they are guilty of a borderline hate crime.
The whole thing is SO racist and insulting to our new President – - honestly, I am embarrassed to be American sometimes.
But it is always good to see YOU, darling!
Anytime you want to hop across the pond and start kicking some stupid American ass, I have a plane ticket and a list for you!
xo
Jenn –
You’re right – it would be animal cruelty to give the birds such a nasty bathroom, lol.
The Post is known for being kind of stupid and sensationalist, but this lowers their bar so far into the gutter – gaaa! I cannot believe it was given the green light by an editor. The editor should be shot.
When I saw the picture, I didn’t get it, but as people started talking about, I saw the racism in it, so I have to agree with John. It was uncalled for on both the racism level and the fact that they are making fun of the chimp that had just been euthanised
Hi MM – Totally with you on that one.
I only just see it too now, you know, when you really look at it. I am coming round to John’s POV.
I plan on posting this today, although the story is old, and linking to AG. Very well worded. Mad props to Mr. Legend!