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New York Post, President Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Economic Stimulus And You
Blanche Africa Reilly Dark has a commentary on the latest racial controversy involving the press and the politicians.
Recently the New York Post published an extremely controversial political cartoon depicting a chimp as the author of the economic stimulus bill just approved by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Obama.
Many people, both blacks and whites, are offended by the violent racist messages in this political illustration. Some see the simian in the cartoon as a subtle reference to our new president who just happens to be our first black African-American president. Others see the cartoon as a definite statement of disrespect for the leaders of the House and the Senate as well as the office of the President Of The United States. To suggest violence against any or all of these institutions of government is not just impudent but irresponsible.
The illustration reinforces the long standing abhorrent tradition in this country of comparing black Americans to monkeys.
The argument comparing blacks to monkeys is a ridiculously specious one simply because monkeys are more closely related to whites than blacks. Underneath their furry exterior members of the species apes have white skin. They also have thin lips.In relating the unfortunateepisode of a chimp in Connecticut gone wild where the incident ended in police fatally shooting him, to the passage and signing of the economic stimulus legislation, the editorial staff and the cartoonist at the New York Post seem to sanction political assassination.
Maybe the cartoonist was expressing in his drawing of the chimp his idea of Rupert Murdock, the owner of the Post. Outside of reports the newspaper is losing money or on the brink of shutting down I believe this is the most publicity the Post has received in recent years.
I would dare to say this is not the first time in his life President Barack Obama has been compared to an ape. It will probably not be the last. I am sure during his lifetime and especially during his political life someone, friend or foe has made an uncomplimentary comparison of him to an animal or made an unkind pejorative remark about him either behind his back or to his face. Even his ideal, his predecessor, Abraham Lincoln
was compared and depicted as an ape. Mr. Obama is in good company when it comes to being compared to an ape.
I am confident the always cool, calm, unruffled Mr. Obama has done what his mother taught him always to do: simply brush off the insult and move on his dignified way. Pay no attention to the people who make insults. Be aware of them. Forgive them.
Thanks to the stupid ones among us for holding on to the contemptible racist notion blacks and monkeys are the same. I thought, as I am sure many others did, we’d grown beyond this kind of foolishness.
This current race controversy and dispute about violence means it is time for Americans to have a long overdue conversation about race and violence.
At this time in our history we must work to resolve such obstacles in our society if we are to advance as a nation to be a good neighbor in the global community.
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