NY Post Crosses the Line with Political Cartoon

Despite the fact that the chimpanzee shooting in Stamford, CT and the President's stimulus package are big news items at the moment, the comparison made between the two in this cartoon is inappropriate and unconscionable. The cartoon run by the New York Post appears to be a cheap shot that uses historically violent and racist imagery while referencing the President of the United States. It was neither smart, clever, or funny. I'm deeply disappointed that the Post would even consider running this cartoon. They should immediately issue a public apology on their poor judgment.

Comments

[Lyn]

What an overreaction. The cartoon is just a cartoon. Actually I agree with Mr. Delonas' appraisal of the Obama stimulus bill process: it was out-of-control and has endangered our country's prosects for the future.

It's just a cartoon people. The person who first said it was "racist" was Al Sharpton and he has zero credibility.

[GullyontheUWS]

Mr. Sharpton's absent credibility notwithstanding, it's a cartoon that, when cast most generously, is still almost reckless in its ignorance. And again, that's being generous.

First, any image that depicts two white cops shooting a monkey is going to invite scrutiny along racial lines. That's the sad reality in a country where instances of racially motivated police brutality are far too common. Second, the stimulus bill has been a signature Obama issue, thus far, and an immediate cause of action for a President not even one month removed from his historic inauguration as the country's first black chief executive. Thus, insinuating the stimulus acrimony into that imagery system, and casting the bill's author (or champion) as a dead monkey is patently racial, even if subconsciously. That this ran in the New York Post, I am less inclined to be that generous, and more inclined to think that this was a poor attempt at humor that was fueled by ignorance and racial angst.

But, perhaps I am appealing to the wrong audience. Lyn, that website of yours is almost unbelievable. Wow.

[Anonymous]

Whether Al Sharpton was the first to say that this despicable cartoon was racist is completely besides the point. The very sad fact is that it IS racist.

Thankfully Betsy Gotbaum had the courage to say so. This was a clear case of blatant racism and it's my opinion that Rupert Murdoch has once again crossed the line.

[xntrik]

What do you expect from the Post?? The only people who would not find thios cartoon offensive are truly racists! I am a middle aged white woman, and this made me sick! If I was a subscriber I would cancel!