Update: DU ACTION ALERT: Call & Complain About The New York Post Cartoon

[SunsetDreams]

1-800-552-7678

Update: I called the above number and was given 1-212-930-8000, as a number to complain. I picked Option 3 and was able to talk to someone in Customer Service. They are currently keeping a record of all the calls they get on this cartoon. The lady told me there have been many already today.




Update #2: Apparently the New York Post has issued a statement.

Here's the full statement by Col Allan, editor-in-chief of the Post:

"The cartoon is a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut. It broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy. Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist."


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/18/ny-post-cartoon-controver_n_167928.html

This is total BS, am I also a publicity opportunist for finding this cartoon offensive, and calling the New York Post? How the hell would the average public know about the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut? Irregardless, this is totally wrong! Screw them! Keep calling that number DU!!!

[Romulox]

1. 1 - 800 - I - DONT - REALIZE - THAT - THE - PRESIDENT - DOESNT-WRITE-LEGISLATION

It's a long number, but it's worth it!

[SunsetDreams]

2. yes it is worth it, I just need the number :)

[Captain Hilts]

4. it's mentioned in another thread. nt

[Captain Hilts]

3. That's why I didn't 'get' it at first. It's ignorant on EVERY level. nt

[Cha]

7. So true..once you get past

the blatant stupid racism.

Remember that bakery in one of the Burroughs that had the drunken black cookie which was racist? The Panthers were looking to shut that down.

[Captain Hilts]

8. The 'cartoonist' should be fired for this one. nt

[SunsetDreams]

9. I totally agree,

this is beyond offensive!

The cartoonist needs to be fired, as well as the Editor who allowed this to be in the publication!

[Romulox]

15. So we should just assume the cartoonist is a racist?

And "fill in the blanks" with whichever leaps of logic necessary to get us there (e.g., that the cartoonist is ignorant of the fact that the President doesn't write legislation)?

I don't think that's fair.

[Captain Hilts]

24. I think he should be fire for suggesting violence against public officials.

That's not a judgement call.

[Romulox]

60. I think that's a massive stretch, too. nt

[eleny]

5. 1-800-552-7678

[SunsetDreams]

6. Thank you, I've updated the post

[Blue_In_AK]

10. What the hell?

What does that even mean?

[SunsetDreams]

11. It is racist in every way

African Americans have throughout history been referred to as monkeys by racists.

Notice the beware of the dog sign too? This is a pure dog whistle, plain and simple.

[Blue_In_AK]

14. I know ...

I just couldn't believe someone could be so blatant about it, and then that the newspaper would have the temerity to print it. Especially in New York. It defies any kind of reason.

[SunsetDreams]

67. After sleeping on it,

I still don't get it, and still find it offensive.

[SunsetDreams]

12. bump

[SunsetDreams]

13. bump with updates.

[movonne]

18. good

[WyLoochka]

16. "Lynn" at the Post

said "everything is taking place right now" - when I said the guy needs to be fired.


I said the cartoon was repugnant on three counts:

1. It courts violence against our President.

2. It makes light of a tragedy in which a woman is in critical condition struggling for her life.

3. It is racist.


We'll see if he gets fired - but it was her impression that's what is happening.

[SunsetDreams]

20. good, thank you for calling :)

I like your three counts!

[Romulox]

17. "How the hell would the average public know about the shooting..."

It's been in the news for the last couple of days...

http://news.google.com/news?q=chimp&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wn

[SunsetDreams]

19. true, however, does the average public watch the news?

That's irrelevant really. To take a "current" news event and parody it with the stimulus package, and a chimp no doubt is stepping over the line completely. There is no excuse.

[Romulox]

22. So in order to brand a man a racist, we must assume neither he nor his audience

is aware of civics and current events?

This is getting to be just a bit of a stretch...

[SunsetDreams]

26. If that's your opinion of it being a stretch,

then don't call the number and complain.

There are SOME things you just shouldn't parody!

[Romulox]

30. The stimulus plan is off limits for parody? Do you believe that free speach sometimes goes too far?

"There are SOME things you just shouldn't parody!"

[SunsetDreams]

38. I never said that the stimulus bill was off limits for parody

THAT parody is wrong.

African Americans have throughout history been associated with monkeys by racists.

If you fail to see this as anything other than "just a bit of a stretch", then I really can't help you there.

Perhaps you should call them and congratulate them on their wonderful parody.

[debbierlus]

48. Joking abou the stimulus is fine - this is not

A single monkey, not a group of monkeys (if it was a bunch of monkeys, it would have been indicative of making a play at Congress, a single monkey brings the connotation of a single politician. And, Barack Obama is the guy most associated with the stimulus plan. So, I think the connection goes to Obama, not Congress as a whole.

And, let's face it. The deragotory references to comparing African Americans to monkeys through racist 'humor' is not new, and far more apt to be the reference a reader would take from this then a single news event (I didn't hear about it, & I follow the news).

The bloody monkey, I also found offensive as a animal lover. I think it is sad that human beings have taken these amazing creatures out of their habitat and destroyed their habitat. I think it is tragic.

This cartoon offends on many levels.

[Romulox]

58. It was a single monkey because a single monkey went on a rampage this past week

and was shot.

"The bloody monkey, I also found offensive as a animal lover"

Right. But this ACTUALLY happened. In real life. It was in every newspaper.

[Ioo]

53. Romulox stop! This is a NO LOGIC ZONE. They will see what they want to see

You are not allowed to use monkeys... they are off limits as a butt of a joke for 4, maybe 8 years... As the author said, we have an African American and any time you see a monkey, it is racist. Period

Just move on... because it is evil... and you are WRONG for not seeing the evil of this...

[SunsetDreams]

54. Romulox hasn't posted since 1:40 pm

It is you who keep coming back to this thread.

[Romulox]

61. I wonder if people don't get that these "obvious" associations exist in their own heads?

Someone makes a joke equating our Congress-people with a rampaging chimp, and therefore we may assume it's a racist swipe against Obama? Huh? Because the association is "obvious"? Double huh? Obvious to whom?

[Ioo]

21. IT IS NOT A RACIST CARTOON - It is a play on the other big news of this week

that was all over DU about the money getting shot as well.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Connecticut-Sandra-Herold-Told-911-Her-Pet-Chimpanzee-Travis-Had-Ripped-Her-Friends-Face-Off/Article/200902315225412?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_4&lid=ARTICLE_15225412_Connecticut%3A_Sandra_Herold_Told_911_Her_Pet_Chimpanzee_Travis_Had_Ripped_Her_Friends_Face_Off


chimpanzee has been shot dead by police in the US for brutally mauling a woman. The 15-year-old domesticated monkey called Travis attacked Charla Nash (55) when she stepped out of her car in Connecticut. Owner Sandra Herold had to repeatedly stab her 200-pound pet with a kitchen knife to try and save her friend, who had driven to her house to help her lure the escaped chimp home. Herold rang the police, who shot the animal dead on arrival. Local mayor Dannel Malloy said that Nash had suffered "life-changing, if not life-threatening" injuries.

[SunsetDreams]

23. IT IS A RACIST CARTOON

I don't care if it is a play on the other "big news"

There are some things you just shouldn't parody, like the fact our President is African American. You don't put a chimp on there being shot, associated with the stimulus bill PERIOD!

[Ioo]

28. So just to be clear, are we allowed to ever use monkeys in ANYTHING?

I mean really, lighten the fuck up. it is not a racist cartoon, it is current events

[SunsetDreams]

31. Of course we are allowed to use monkeys

But....NOT associated with an African American President.

I mean really...I will not "lighten the fuck up" about this!

[Ioo]

46. Okay, so Anything with Monkeys in the same state as Obama, off limits?

Just need to know, because I did not see Obama in the cartoon, and the congress wrote the bill, not Obama.

[SunsetDreams]

49. "Okay, so Anything with Monkeys in the same state as Obama, off limits?"

History can be your friend. I'm done, have a nice day :)

[Spazito]

51. Well, you should send him an e-mail in sympathetic support....

but you might want to read this first...

http://www.glaad.org/action/write_now_detail.php?id=3924

The cartoonist hack is both racist and homophobic.

[treestar]

64. No, just not to represent African-Americans

This could have been Bush without a problem. Bush is white. There's no history on which to it offensive other than to see Bush as the crazed nutcase that he is.

It's the history of racism in this country and the use of monkeys=African-Americans by racists that makes this cartoon, in context, racist. Any relatively sentient being who has lived in this country for at least 10 years or is over the age of 10 knows the context.

[EFerrari]

27. Would you be happy if Al Sharpton told you Rick Warren was not a homophobe?

[Ioo]

29. I think he has... so has Obama... you may want to think this one out a little more.

So... FAILED.

[EFerrari]

32. No. Sharpton was on our side on Warren.

And you miss the point. When black leadership calls out a racist, I tend to support that leadership just as I supported the gay community on Warren.

[Ioo]

34. Great. I just think this is a non-issue... I think people are looking for shit to be mad about.

this is a current event that was big news.

THERE IS NO REASON why a paper would post this toon if they thought it would be racist. This is not 1957. I think you all are making all of DU look like fools.

[EFerrari]

36. How well do you know that paper? It is 1957 on their editorial page.

And I promise you a lot of people who are not DU are calling that number right now.

[Ioo]

39. And a lot of others are hiding their heads in shame...

It is not 1957, it is 1983 there... again, you all look like fools.

[EFerrari]

41. To freepers.

lol

[SunsetDreams]

33. Maybe it is you who should think this out a little more n/t

[Ioo]

37. I have, and I see NO REASON AS TO WHY THEY WOULD POST THIS

toon if they thought it was racist... that would be a zero sum gain for them. They saw this the same why I see it, a current event. Again, as I said, this is not 1957, if they thought it was racist they would not have posted it because they would know the backlash and it is just not cool.

I am telling you, you look like a dumbass pushing this as hard as you are... Freeps are giggling there taints off because of this NON ISSUE.

Sorry, you are just being hyper sensitive.

[EFerrari]

40. You are worried because racist Freeps are giggling?

Have you seen the language they use to describe their president?

[SunsetDreams]

44. Please don't

tell me what I should find offensive, and not.

If you don't find it offensive, please by all means call them and congratulate them.

[Ioo]

45. Why not? You just told me I SHOLD be... read your own stuff please

about asking me to dig deeper.

"Maybe it is you who should think this out a little more n/t"

[Ioo]

43. In fact, you just proved my point... I need to think it out in order to get where you are...

In order to get there, I need to first be looking for racism in everything, I do not. Then I need to FORGET the news of the day... I will not. Then I have to conclude that the new paper is living in a time warp.. I do not think it is...

Again, I am NOT going to think it out so much as to get to where you are... if I did, everything could be made that way...

I am done... go look a fool.

[EFerrari]

47. In order to stay where you are, you have to avoid every reality check available.

That must be quite a challenge.

[Ioo]

50. No, I just do not look for crap where there is none... to much real racism out there

to make stuff up.

You have to dismiss a lot of things, like the second biggest news story of the week to get to your position.

Sorry, I try to approach life with the fact that most people mean to do good in life. I can turn this around as say that life must be a scary place if you come at everything looking for the hidden agenda.

I think this is dumb as hell, and to get there you need to "fix the facts around the outcome"

[biopowertoday]

25. bump.

[debbierlus]

35. Gut check - offensive & racist...

I am not quick to take offense at humor, and I give a LOT of leeway to comedians/cartoonists/political satire...I usually think people are TOO politically correct.

Not this one.

The Post needs to apologize. This is offensive.

[EFerrari]

42. Same here and I wrote comedy to pay the rent.

This is exactly what it looks like.

[janet118]

59. I used to write a comic strip . . .

there is no way I could have gotten anything close to this published.

The history of police shooting black men, the history of blacks being called monkeys, the tenuous connection between a tragic story about a chimpanzee being shot and the writing of the stimulus bill, and the sheer violence of the image should have all disqualified this from being published. Perhaps the cartoonist is just completely tone deaf and historically illiterate and not a racist. But there is no excuse for the editor.

This cartoon is simply not funny and it is truly offensive and shocking.

Anyone who finds this cartoon witty or insightful or any of the things a good cartoon is supposed to be lacks a sense of where the line is between what is humorous and what is mean-spirited nastiness.

[SunsetDreams]

62. I agree Janet,

I don't get how anyone could find this OK period.

[CitizenPatriot]

52. I don't get offended too easily

and in my opinion, it is not a stretch to imply the monkey is the President, since the cartoon says they'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill after shooting the monkey.

I pay a lot of attention to political news, and I knew nothing about this monkey shooting by the police.

What is offensive is a police officer shooting our president, for one. that's enough for me.

The chimp to Obama reference, the racism, feels like it's there to me. Just gut reaction. This guy's history lends my gut some credence, as does the source that published it.

I emailed them because I'm tired of seeing violence encouraged against our President. I don't find that funny, since it's a real threat -- because of the racist crazies in this country. There is a responsibility all thinking people share.

Yesterday I called the SS because of a blog that got posted on Digg, where some crazy dude who had a radio show was talking about killing our president and killing all of the liberals after taking out the "trash". This shit isn't funny, it's way too common, and it's fucking scary.

[SunsetDreams]

55. I agree,

I don't get offended easily either, but this just goes beyond the pale.

Thanks for calling the SS on that blog, I wasn't aware of that one.

[CitizenPatriot]

56. it was so hideous that I almost got sick

the SS said they had this guy on their radar, and that he knew exactly what he could and could not say. What strikes me as wrong is that people can write about their plans to kill "you know who" and all of his helpers....and there is nothing the law can do about it?

Something is really wrong with this. Hate and violence should not be so protected that innocent people become terrorized.

[SunsetDreams]

57. exactly,

I believe wholeheartedly in Freedom of Speech, however when one incites violence vocally, or in this instance, silently, a line needs to be drawn.

[SunsetDreams]

63. bump

[ClassWarrior]

65. It doesn't even make sense. What's the connection between the two "news events?"

If it's not a racist stereotype, that is...

:shrug:

NGU.

[SunsetDreams]

66. There is no connection...

What the hell does a chimpanzee getting shot in Connecticut, have to do with the Stimulus Bill?