Cartoonists treading lightly when drawing Obama
Associated Press
Published February 20, 2009 at 12:43 p.m.
Updated February 20, 2009 at 12:43 p.m.
Cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz was in front of a classroom full of black and Latino kids, drawing presidents. He sketched Bush, then Clinton. Next came his favorite, the man he voted for: Obama.
"Hey, those lips are big," Alcaraz heard a black girl say from the back of the room.
Alcaraz was disturbed.
"I try to bend over backwards not to make him look like a cartoon stereotype," and certainly not a racial stereotype, he said.
Editorial cartoonists are bending over backwards a lot these days, as they try to satirize the nation's first black president.
And when they don't, the result is the kind of outcry that erupted this week after a New York Post cartoon featured a bloody chimpanzee — intentionally or unintentionally evoking racist images of the past.
The problem is, cartoonists make their living by making fun of people — especially presidents — and exaggerating their features and foibles.
The best political cartoons are "like an X-ray machine," said Amelia Rauser, an art history professor at Franklin & Marshall College and author of "Caricature Unmasked," which examines the art form's historical role in political discourse.
"You have to deform someone facially in order to make a larger point about their character," Rauser said. "But that deformity reveals their inner truth and makes them look more like themselves."
The late Herblock often saddled Richard Nixon with an enormous cartoon nose. Liberals drew George W. Bush like a simpleton, or worse. There have been minor kerfluffles from the left about drawing Hillary Clinton as insufficiently feminine, and from the right about depicting Condoleeza Rice as servile to President Bush.
Drawings of President Barack Obama, however, must contend with America's history of degrading racial imagery, from ape comparisons to enormous "Sambo" lips. (Caricatures of the president's admittedly large ears have so far escaped scrutiny.)
Michael Cavna, who blogs about comics for The Washington Post, wrote that "an unnerving number of North America's political cartoonists are bizarrely obsessed with President Obama's lips."
He followed with a detailed analysis of several cartoons where Obama's lips were large, some shade of blue, or both.
On Wednesday, the New York Post published an editorial cartoon showing a chimp shot to death by police officers. "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill," the caption reads.
Amid widespread black condemnation, the Post initially defended the panel by its longtime cartoonist Sean Delonas, saying it referred to a chimp that recently attacked its owner's friend and was killed by police. The newspaper apologized "to those who were offended" after 200 protecters picketed the Post offices on Thursday.
During the presidential campaign, The New Yorker magazine was accused of racism for an infamous cartoon of Obama dressed as a Muslim, fist-bumping his wife, Michelle, who was toting a machine gun and sporting a black-power Afro. The magazine said it was satirizing right-wing smears of the Obamas.
Scott Statis, editorial cartoonist for The Birmingham (Ala.) News, said he received several complaints this week that his Obama drawings look "simian."
As a conservative in a city that's 77 percent black, Statis has learned to consider the feelings of his audience.
"Being the typical American editorial cartoonist — doughy, white, middle-aged — I'm more than willing to accept that I don't know what may or may not be offensive," he said. "But editorial cartoons are supposed to be offensive, and provocative. We're entering new waters here. What can you use or not use?"
"All my characters look simian," he said. "I don't make Obama look nearly as simian as our former governor Mike James, who I DID draw as a monkey, on more than one occasion. And he's a white guy ... I'm sorry, but when it comes to African-Americans, you just don't draw monkeys."
Ted Rall, president of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists, said that Obama's race has affected how his colleagues do their jobs: "Without a doubt, people are stepping more gingerly. People are tiptoeing their way through this."
Rall, who is liberal, said it's harder to take shots at Obama because he's smart, charming and handsome, "so when you attack the personality, people suspect there's only one reason: It's gotta be his race. My conservative cartoonist friends find it very frustrating."
One of those conservative friends, Mike Lester of the Rome News Tribune in Georgia, said that when he was growing up, "if we didn't make fun of you, we didn't like you."
Perhaps race relations would improve, Lester said, if black people lightened up a bit: "They're not too good (at being) made fun of. We can all take a joke."
Lester said Rall told him before the election that an Obama presidency would be good for conservative cartoonists, but "it's been just the opposite. I find myself having to temper my comments. I'm tired of it. (Obama) wants my money, he wants me to pay for my neighbor's foreclosed house that he can't afford. Race has nothing to do with it."
That's what Delonas said about his cartoon in the Post. So as the nation's edgy fraternity of editorial cartoonists continues to unload on Obama, lines will inevitably be crossed again.
"Being an editorial cartoonist is a high-wire act," Rall said.
"If you're any good, you're taking lots of chances all the time.
When you take chances, you fall and you screw up."
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February 20, 2009
12:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
Ah yes, PCism run amuck. You can bash whitey all day long with nary a peep from the stinking libs, but just try and say/do anything that could remotely be construed as ... gasp ... racist to a non-white. Sickening.
Scott
February 20, 2009
12:53 p.m.
Iron writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
February 20, 2009
12:53 p.m.
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BurningChrome writes:
In B4 the right wing nut jobs and left wing whacko's start their childish internet forum slap fight!!
February 20, 2009
12:56 p.m.
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Iron writes:
...ans burning chrome is mr. perfect...
February 20, 2009
1:02 p.m.
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fastnloose writes:
Why weren't these artist so concerned when they were drawing Condi Rice the last few years?
February 20, 2009
1:03 p.m.
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AngryDragon writes:
Where was all the outrage when Colin Powell and Condi Rice were portrayed as Uncle Tom's and servants to GW? Oh, that's right, they worked for conservatives so it's okay to blatantly draw demeaning/racist portrayals of them but not of any black Democrat.
February 20, 2009
1:05 p.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
Yes, we mustn't cast the "Beloved Leader" in anything that might be remotely considered satirical or (gasp) critical. I think the press in North Korea operates under the same principle.
(When do you think he'll stop campaigning and actually get to work?)
February 20, 2009
1:21 p.m.
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olsonmt writes:
These people must perceive blacks (liberal blacks anway) as inferior and in need of softer, more preferential treatment. Me, I see blacks as equals and will happily mock them, tease them about stereotypical appearences, stereotypical attitudes, etc. (and now the important part) TO THE EXTENT THAT I, GEORGE BUSH, CONSERVATIVES, WHITES and others are teased and stereotyped. We're all equals and what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Curious... which race is offended by goose references?
This will change over time. These cartoonists will mature and people will become more accepting. I don't know when, but it will happen.
February 20, 2009
1:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
Cowboy63 sez, "... I think the press in North Korea operates under the same principle."
I say old man! You have just identified an employer for Littwin and Griego once RMN closes shop. Good show!
Scott
February 20, 2009
1:25 p.m.
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dcolon47 writes:
Its only freedom of speech and expression if liberals like what is said.
February 20, 2009
1:25 p.m.
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olsonmt writes:
My favorite part is the cartoonist, Ted Rall, who said Obama is "so smart, charming, and handsome...." A man-crush. How cute. If he can't get himself to mock the President he's going to have an unproductive 4 to 8 years and should be looking for a new line of work. What a hack!
February 20, 2009
1:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
Oh_Wise_One writes:
I believe that Obama is intent on destroying America to make it "fair" for everyone. Fair like Zimbabwe and as free as Russia.
'Change' that the fools voted for. Own it.
February 20, 2009
1:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
tjpatriot writes:
Comparing Obama to a chimp doesn't really ring true because he doesn't look like one. Let's face it, GWB looked more like a chimp and was routinely illustrated as such in cartoons.
Now, when they start illustrating Michelle Obama as a gorilla, then there will really be hell to pay. Because let's face it, who can really argue after looking at her picture that she isn't at least part gorilla.
But seriously, lampooning of political figures in the most vicious ways via cartoon is older than our country. The day they start taking that away is the day we can count another of our freedoms compromised.
February 20, 2009
1:35 p.m.
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snap1066 writes:
When Barry smiles, he looks like a '52 Olds going down the street with both doors open.
February 20, 2009
1:39 p.m.
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kribits writes:
"I try to bend over backwards not to make him look like a cartoon stereotype," and certainly not a racial stereotype, he said.
Well, he got the "bend over" part correct...
February 20, 2009
1:59 p.m.
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HankReardon writes:
Oh well, back to the drawing board.
February 20, 2009
2:08 p.m.
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portal_pyramids writes:
So sad that you most of you Obama haters cannot see beyond wherever you are to join the rest of civilized/evolved in the 21st century. Scott, you seem like a real piece of work buddy. I read your rants everyday and one thing is consistent. Your blind hatred! For some sick reason I like to come and read your senseless, baseless criticism of others without ever offering anything as a suggestion. I do remember you supporting Bush telling everyone else it was unpatriotic to be against his criminal policies. Look at you now with the shoe on the other foot.
Obama is doing an incredible job and you haters can only Hope he fails. Now go Change your diapers crybabies.
February 20, 2009
2:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Devil_Dog writes:
olsonmt
I hope you're right but don't hold your breath, there are a lot of people (on both sides) who feel that they have to hold on to their hatreds because with out them they wouldn't have an identity.
February 20, 2009
2:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
mrwiizrd writes:
"Obama is doing an incredible job"
You're entitled to your opinion, but I wouldn't exactly describe attempting to appoint 3 tax cheats to his cabinet and signing the biggest pork filled spending bill in our country's history without performing the transparent due diligence he promised during the campaign as an "incredible job."
February 20, 2009
2:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
Devil_Dog writes:
portal_pyramids
What exactly are you complaining about? I don't always agree with Scott, or anyone else for that matter, but exactly which comments on this thread prior to your post are you upset about and why?
February 20, 2009
2:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
riverrafter writes:
I guess I must be the only one on the planet who found the cartoon offensive because of the incredible trauma and injuries the poor woman in Connecticut and her family are suffering. Who cares about the "Obama monkey" thing? I don't hear him complaining about it. It's just all those other folks who feel that watching his back is THEIR job. What a tempest in a teapot.
February 20, 2009
2:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
The_Punnisher writes:
kribits writes:
"I try to bend over backwards not to make him look like a cartoon stereotype," and certainly not a racial stereotype, he said.
Well, he got the "bend over" part correct...
And the REGULAR TAX PAYER has to do the same thing...
At least the Main Stream Media types get the KY...
And the TAX PAYERS get the D.S.....>8-(...
February 20, 2009
2:21 p.m.
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Devil_Dog writes:
riverrafter
Very true. I felt so sorry for both those women and for that chimp. The drugs he was given must have scrambled his brain.
February 20, 2009
2:31 p.m.
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RJS07 writes:
my interpretation of the chimpanzee cartoon in the NY Post was not that it was Obama (Pelosi, et al WROTE the bill after all) but that someone made monkeys out of the rest of us.
"Obama brought us change and Pelosi took the dollars"
February 20, 2009
2:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
farsidefan writes:
Since it takes one to know one : How can cartoonists not have a field day with the Presidents ears ????
Snap has it about right.
I was always accused of being a VW with its doors open.
Lighten up folks ! Draw away !
February 20, 2009
2:35 p.m.
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ThingFish writes:
Take it easy on Scott portal_pyramids. He has a mental illness. He's grown and still has an imaginary friend.
February 20, 2009
2:40 p.m.
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HisPrinceMichael writes:
Originally, I felt the Cartoon-in-question was a close call,
either way. In retrospect, I believe that cartoon garnered
EXACTLY what it was INTENDED to, sympathy for a politician
pushing an EXTREMELY unpopular bill. Once again, we've
been bamboozled.
THE Battle, has just BEGUN:
http://www.all4webs.com/q/flove4yahweh
February 20, 2009
2:47 p.m.
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ThingFish writes:
This is more like it.
http://tinyurl.com/btob7q
February 20, 2009
2:56 p.m.
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Scott writes:
Knock it off ThingFish! Nine out of ten voices in my head tell me I'm not crazy. SO THERE!
Scott
February 20, 2009
2:57 p.m.
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Logical writes:
portal, you are mistaken. We don't hate Obama. We just don't believe his rhetoric. We don't agree with his ideas and actions.
Disagreeing with someone is not the same as hating. In this forum (RMN), far more hate comes from the left. The right is simply trying to share our views, and point out the pitfalls of what Obama is trying to do.
Hate is vicious. We are not vicious, we simply disagree, and state why we disagree. Nothing hateful there.
February 20, 2009
3 p.m.
Suggest removal
SilentRunning writes:
Republicans had EIGHT years of Bush/Cheney. You all had your decade. Deal with the fact that the GOP no longer runs things. Democrats had to deal with the Republican way, and now the show is on the other foot. Deal. With. It.
Response to mrwiizrd:
I would venture that Obama signing a spending bill is of far greater importance to the needs of the United States than Bush/Cheney starting an unnecessary war and having your decision sign the death warrant for over 1.3 Million people. But, then, I wouldn't expect someone with a mind such as yours to be able to understand something like that. Try reading real news sometime. Try learning. Or is that too much to ask?
February 20, 2009
3 p.m.
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HisPrinceMichael writes:
VERY well put, Logical.
February 20, 2009
3:10 p.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
Uh, HOW many years did the DEMONRATS have control of Congress???
February 20, 2009
3:18 p.m.
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wyhammertime writes:
Looks like freedom is slowly going away here is where it starts!!
February 20, 2009
3:20 p.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
New math and now I understand the problem between comprehending the budget and its pitfalls:
"Republicans had EIGHT years of Bush/Cheney. You all had your decade."
decade=10yrs
8=decade?????? :-)
February 20, 2009
3:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
Devil_Dog writes:
The "death warrant" was signed by a few more people than that.
Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, All of Congress, MoammarKadafi, Arafat, Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah just to name a few.
Get off your high horse and realize that freedom is being attacked in many ways by many people, both the left and right have made mistakes and even contributed to our problems.
Your childish remarks only serve to fan the flames.
February 20, 2009
3:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
localyokal writes:
Ed Stein stopped reading this article when he came to the line "The best cartoons----" At that point he knew the article didn't involve his work
February 20, 2009
3:24 p.m.
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mrwiizrd writes:
Nice straw-man SilentRunning,
Except, I'm not a Republican, staunchly anti-war, and have probably forgotten more about macroeconomics and finance than you'll ever know. This is why I'm on here voicing my disgust with the fear mongering used by President Obama to quickly pass this bill, which by the way was the exact same rhetoric Bush gave us to pass TARP.
Where's the change?
And I wouldn't toot that peace horn too loud, 20 United States bombs were dropped on Pakistan 2 days after Mr. Obama took office, and I'd be willing to bet everything I own that he'll be ordering loads more troops in Afghanistan with 180 days.
My questions to you is, will you peel off that Obama peace sign bumper sticker off your Prius when our President issues the order into battle for his war?
February 20, 2009
3:29 p.m.
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Devil_Dog writes:
Ink Stain Stein wouldn't know a cartoon if Batman rolled up the comics and hit him with it.
February 20, 2009
3:31 p.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
MrWizard are you thinking more than the 15K+ troops that he has already designated to Afghan. in the past week? Or were you counting them in your current prediction? Thinking there will be another 10K+ beyond that!
February 20, 2009
3:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
HankReardon writes:
Oh gee whiz Logical,
RE: "The right is simply trying to share our views"
You are just trying to straighten us all out. No hate from the right, puleeeease. The language of the right is full of hate and insults. Apparently throwing around the term 'messiah' is very vogue in the GOP. Are you sure I shouldn't be drinking my KoolAid right about now?
Yeah, the righties are just victims of circumstance. No hate there.
February 20, 2009
3:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
mrwiizrd writes:
CoLib, didn't even know about the 15k, but I'm quite sure there will be more, lots and lots more I'm afraid.
February 20, 2009
3:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
MrWizard
Well then you are 100% correct in your assessment!
I think it is only the beginning......... Not going to be a pretty sight for sure.
Enjoy your weekend MrWizard
HANK
Hate you More :-)
No not really.....but did not want to be left out of the hate bantering
Have a good weekend also my friend
February 20, 2009
3:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
The_Punnisher writes:
The NEW MATH, courtesy of the blind leading the blind...
Yes, we are TWO generations of ignorant people who don't give a tinker's dam about REALITY..
Time to pay the piper for that bit of STUPIDITY...
February 20, 2009
3:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
leavemealone writes:
Draw Obama as a HUGE Condom:
This would more accurately reflect his role & political stance.
The Obama condom allows for inflation, halts 99.9% of future production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of johnsons, and gives you a sense of security while you're getting $crewed.
February 20, 2009
4 p.m.
Suggest removal
HankReardon writes:
'Night COLib!
February 20, 2009
4:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
The_Punnisher writes:
leavemealone:
But, but, aren't Condoms WHITE in color? That comment makes you a RACIST!!!
..>8->....
February 20, 2009
4:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
fubarcirca1985 writes:
Leavemealone that is hilarious!!!!!
Just draw curious george and call it a day, the similarities are amazing
February 20, 2009
4:23 p.m.
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leavemealone writes:
Hee Hee
I don't think there would any good jokes without politicians.
& Obama is nothing more & nothing less....
February 20, 2009
4:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
GunnyBob writes:
Zimbabwe, North Korea, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Cuba, Venezuela, et al, have rules stating that cartoonists make fun of the nation's leader at their own great peril. You know, like beheading, firing squad, the gallows, stoning, etc. Now America has been added to that list.
Welcome to the Obamanista regime, comrade.
February 20, 2009
4:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
H20 writes:
Leavemealone Writes :
"Draw Obama as a HUGE Condom:
This would more accurately reflect his role & political stance.
The Obama condom allows for inflation, halts 99.9% of future production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of johnsons, and gives you a sense of security while you're getting $crewed."
Pretty original, I believe I say the same comment last year only with Bushes name!!
February 20, 2009
4:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
Devil_Dog writes:
Well now that we all agree that most, if not all, politicians are nothing more that filling for a condem maybe we can come up with a way to get rid of them all and start over in DC. That would be real change, as long as we come up with a way to keep the fat cats from buying the new politicians, you know like the ones we have now, and have had for a long time.
February 20, 2009
5:02 p.m.
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leavemealone writes:
Sorry to bust your bubble, Libs.
Obama is a politician, nothing more & nothing less....
February 20, 2009
5:18 p.m.
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T1anda writes:
Curious George fits the bill nicely! Look him up! An amazing resemblance. Even the Libs can't deny it! Humorous!
February 20, 2009
5:23 p.m.
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H20 writes:
It's sad to see how the Republican party is represented in these blogs.... Nothing to be proud of
February 20, 2009
5:30 p.m.
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H20 writes:
Ignorance breeds Ignorance try using a Condom!
February 20, 2009
5:45 p.m.
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leavemealone writes:
H2O,
I'm laughing so hard that I don't think a condom would help.
Libtards can sure dish it out....however, cry like little biatche's when the favor is returned.
February 20, 2009
5:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
H20 writes:
leavemealone who's crying? what favor would that be, enlighten me with your knowledge, or lack thereof.. I think your name says it all.. Are you striving for a reaction and attention on the Rocky Mountain News comment board?
February 20, 2009
7:41 p.m.
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leavemealone writes:
H20,
Sooooo.....saying you're not a Libtard.
LOL
February 20, 2009
8:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Uno writes:
Liberal cartoonists confused because there is nothing funny about the nations first black (well, half) president already failing in his job and losing ground.
February 21, 2009
1:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
longpasttime writes:
"Rall, who is liberal, said it's harder to take shots at Obama because he's smart, charming and handsome, "so when you attack the personality, people suspect there's only one reason: It's gotta be his race. My conservative cartoonist friends find it very frustrating."
I can think of at least one other reason- policy differences. I care not a whit about Obama's race. However, I disagree with his policies and political viewpoint. I hope that Rall doesn't think I'm a racist because of my viewpoint. Even if he does think that, too bad- I'm NOT going to change my opinion of Obama's policies even at the point of a "racist" gun....
February 21, 2009
11:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
Liamstuart writes:
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If every other president can be lampooned--including derogatorily--then there is no reason that the currently incumbent holder of the office should be exempt. What's next, a "fatwa" by Obama's supporters?
February 21, 2009
4:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Creative_N_Denver writes:
Being in the public eye does not give another person the right to make fun of or treat another in such a way. Doesn't matter if it is considered all in fun. Showing respect is something we Americans need to learn.