http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/01/politics/boston-herald-cartoon/index.html?iref=allsearch
The Boston Herald newspaper has released a cartoon that has caused much controversy. It was created to describe the nature and casualty of the recent White House intrusion. In the cartoon, the intruder, a white man, offers Obama watermelon flavored toothpaste. There is a popular stereotype that black people enjoy watermelon, so there is a question as to whether the comic was either racist or simply ignorant. I believe that the cartoonist, as well as all the editors - except for one - were being racially insensitive, if not completely racist. It has been said that the cartoonist and Boston Herald intended no inference of racism, and are deeply apologetic. It seems inexcusable to me that something so sensitive as this could slide by and be claimed as a non-offensive mistake while we are in a time of healing from the terrible time of racism that has always existed in history. Do you think that the newspaper and cartoonist were truly unaware of the racist implications that the cartoon has? Or do you think they are now just apologizing as a way to let the stigma of Obama's skin color not be taken offensively?
I can't even begin to understand how this cartoon was published before being looked at. At first glance you can see the glaring racism right in front of you. I believe the newspaper and cartoonist were aware of the racist implications this cartoon held but still decided to publish it, possibly trying to voice their dissatisfaction with Obama being president. I think they are now apologizing just to do damage control, but I don't know why they would think that they wouldn't get heat for this cartoon.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tayden. I do not understand how this political cartoon got through the editor and published without some significant changes made to the photo. This is a great example of how things can sneak by people and cause huge uproar. I would not be surprised if the black community, let alone Obama sue the Boston Herald for being publicly racist. The Boston Herald is a well known newspaper, I am surprised they did not do a better job of keeping this out.
ReplyDeleteI think the newspaper and the cartoonist were well aware of this cartoon, and agreeing with Tayden and Gabe how did this even get past to be printed on thousands of newspapers. I’m not sure how they didn’t come close to questioning the cartoon. This cartoon was obviously made with some racism intention with President Obama and how there is a stereotype that African Americans enjoy watermelon. And this kind of shows how racism difference/stereotypes still exist. I think they are only apologizing not to make matters worse of stereotypes and race etc.
ReplyDeleteIt seems highly unlikely that he just happened to see his kid's watermelon flavored toothpaste and incorporate it in to a comic that looks to have had the purpose of criticism. I don't buy that the cartoonist didn't know because it's too much of a coincidence that he used watermelon toothpaste. I agree with Tayden in that the cartoonist was probably also criticizing Obama as the president. I think they were just apologizing so profusely to avoid consequences and make it seem like they were innocent and ignorant.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the cartoonist tried to explain himself that the toothpaste may have been watermelon and was not to his intention, I can see while it causes so much controversy since I myself don't really see this much as an accident. Out of all the toothpaste flavors out there, it had to be watermelon? And the man in the tub just had to point it out and mention to Obama about it as well. I believe that he made the reference to a satire subtle so it can be perceived in both ways - a mistake/coincidence or intended, so that if he does get caught causing offense (which he did), he will not suffer more consequences then he will already if he tries to persuade that he was guilty in the action.
ReplyDeletethinking an item and a skin tone is racist by itself because your the one making the connection between black people and watermelon
ReplyDeletemaybe theres a toothpaste that tastes like watermelon and is awsome
I see where you're coming from, but there is a very well-known stereotype saying that black people like watermelon. It is possible that it is just a coincidence, and I'm sure there is watermelon-flavored toothpaste, but that is most likely for kids. It is possible, but unlikely that the comic would depict Obama using watermelon toothpaste without reason.
DeleteI believe this cartoon is very controversial. Despite being socially unaware, I can see where people may claim putting watermelon flavor was a mistake, however many people view this cartoon before it gets published and no one seemed to notice the racist connotation. The stereotype of black people loving watermelon can be traced back to racist views from years ago, bringing back this stereotype causes America to go backwards from leaving these ideas behind. America is trying to vier away from the negative and discriminatory ideas from past generations, this cartoon springs back these ideas and moves in a negative direction. This cartoon was trying to make a joke about this stereotype, however it is more discriminatory and causes controversy.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the cartoonist was racist and thought it was funny to create the picture and then publish it. He obviously knew about the stereotype because it is a well known stereotype in society. I agree with Valerie, it was too much of a coincidence that he used watermelon toothpaste. The cartoonist is trying to make them look innocent, when they really are not. He apologizes and states that he feels bad because he did not "realize" that it was offensive, but it still makes him a racist and promoter of stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteI think that Holbert was aware of the racial implications of the watermelon toothpaste in the cartoon and the only reason he apologized for the cartoon was because many people noticed the racial stereotype embedded in the cartoon. The fact that Holbert considers himself naive implies that America hasn't evolved as much as people believe and that racial stereotypes still exist in great quantities today; and people accept them as facts, just as the north believed that slaves were happy on the plantations from the minstrel shows.
ReplyDeleteI think that the publisher was aware of the racial impressions in the cartoon. It is very surprising that a newspaper with a good reputation would actually allow such cartoon to be published in it. This is another example that proves that racism is still happening in the U.S. It shows that we haven't come really far from the days of racial impressions to "others". This action might have some serious reactions by the African-American community.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is an honest mistake. Watermelon is a fruit, and personally I have used watermelon toothpaste before (it was nasty). He could have said watermelon, apple, mint, blueberry, carrot, vanilla or grape flavored toothpaste. The comic is not about what race Obama is, it is about how far the intruder actually got into the White House and caught people totally off guard. Here is Obama brushing his teeth and the intruder is chilling in the shower. It was just a random fruit name for a toothpaste to show how unaware everyone was caught.
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt that this was not just a coincidence. Though I do believe the cartoonist when he says he didn't have any racist intentions, it was definitely foolish for the publishers to approve of this insensitive joke. They need to become more aware of how hurtful stereotypes like this can be to the community.
ReplyDeleteI think this article can be seen either way. Honestly, the comic writer does sound very sincere in not thinking about watermelon toothpaste. I think he could have been ignorant, but that is better than being racist intentionally. For example, I was unaware of the stereotype that black people can't swim until this year. However, on the other hand, the editors should have caught that mistake. It is clear how fast people were able to pick up on how this may have been racist, and one person should have caught that it could have been implied that way. That also being said, Obama still and has faced in the past racial discrimination. This in fact could be a racist comic, and the comments just seem very apologetic because of the backlash it's getting. As we all know, history is merely an account of what happened, and bias is a very strong component in how that story is told.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the cartoonist and the editors knew that this was a racist stereotype. Possibly the cartoonist didn't mean to be racist in his cartoon, but it sure did sound like it. Editors need to be careful and aware of what is going on in the newspapers in order not to create misunderstandings like this one.
ReplyDeleteI believe the cartoonist were completely aware of the stereo type. The cartoonist may have seen this "joke" not a serious racist comment, but all racist comments are equally bad. The editors are equally to blame because they were aware of the racial stereotype also.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Annika. This comic strip writer could have not intentionally racist, but that doesn't mean that the comic strip was not racist. Even thought this individual obviously did not see a problem in the joke, I do not believe how this was approved by editors. Where they just really careless and did not really check it over, or did they honestly believe that this joke was acceptable? I know that views of racism is different for everyone, people might be more racist in the South, but this comic strip was posted in Boston, MA. A state that was part of the Union. A state that did not allow slavery and was more accepting toward freed slaves.
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