I can't even think of a just comparison that isn't racist! Still, likening the monkey shot in Connecticut for mauling a woman with the President's attempt to stimulate the economy. "Oh, it's calling Obama a monkey." I usually don't cry racism in a crowded theater, but, man, this political cartoon is racist! Now, political cartoonists only get one panel a day, and in this twenty-four news cycle world, I know they often try to kill a few birds with one gag.
I've already showed the piece to a few different people, and they all react the same way. So, I shouldn't be surprised that a political cartoon has sparked such a fervent debate today.Ĭonsider this piece that appeared in The New York Times. Often placed in the most sophisticated sections of the paper, like "Business" or "Opinion," the political cartoon takes the comic dynamic of word and image interplay and presents to the most general audience ever, and presumably those smart enough to keep up with current events and relevant social dialogue. Jerry agreed and happily replaced it with raspberry.As a comic book fan, I often underestimate the importance of the political cartoon.
“The editor suggested to Jerry that the use of watermelon as a toothpaste flavor could inject a racial subtext that would distract from the point of the cartoon. Sue Roush, the managing editor of, told WBZ-TV, the Holbert cartoon “was reviewed by an editor here, as all our content is, before being sent to syndication clients and posted on our GoComics website.” “I was completely naive or innocent toward any racial suggestion, I wasn’t even thinking along those lines at all.” “I myself love watermelon and I thought that would be a great one,” he said. “It is really almost impossible for me to believe that anyone in this day and time doesn’t understand the connotation of watermelon,” a woman at South Station said.Īs for why he chose watermelon in the first place, Holbert said it was a flavor he found in a kids’ toothpaste tube in his home.
Political cartoon making fun of obama code#
“That’s kind of code language that really becomes offensive,” said Darnell Williams, President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. “I want to believe that the cartoonist’s explanation was as innocent and that the apology from the editor was genuine.” Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick was among those who were offended by the cartoon. “Obviously that was very naive on my part, that was stupid on my part.” “I didn’t think people would think that way,” he said. READ MORE: Pacioretty Scores Twice, Vegas Beats Depleted Bruins 4-1 “They said there’s a racial element to it, and I disagreed to be honest with you, but I did it anyway because that’s what they were asking for,” Holbert said, adding that he regretted not calling The Herald to let them know about the syndicate’s objection. Go Comics showed this different version of the cartoon, Oct. Holbert said he was contacted by the syndicator of the cartoon Tuesday night, asking if he could change the flavor from watermelon to raspberry. Speaking with Boston Herald Radio on Wednesday morning, Holbert said, “I thought this was a very lighthearted cartoon, just suggesting that the guy got as far as the bathtub and he’s recommending a different toothpaste for the president.” “I would be happy to apologize to the president, I apologize to the readers,” he said. Holbert went on to say that sometimes humor offends people and he “really did it wrong” with this cartoon. I am not going to apologize for actually creating a racist cartoon, because that is not the way I felt, I did not think that.” “I’m apologizing for the fact that I didn’t think this all the way through. “I’m apologizing for my actions,” Holbert said. On NightSide with Dan Rea on WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Wednesday night, Holbert apologized, but says he is not racist. “We stand by Jerry, who is a veteran cartoonist with the utmost integrity.” “His choice of imagery was absolutely not meant to be hurtful.” Secret Service breach at the White House has offended some people and to them we apologize,” a statement from the newspaper read. “As Jerry Holbert discussed on Boston Herald Radio this morning, his cartoon satirizing the U.S. The caption reads, “White House Invader Got Farther Than Originally Thought” This photo appeared in the Boston Herald, Oct.
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