Recently the NY Post published a cartoon by artist Sean Delonas featuring a rabid chimpanzee being shot by a police officer with another officer commenting, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."
While Congress is officially the body who drafts up the stimulus package, it is widely seen as Obama's plan. The association of blacks with monkeys has been a longheld stereotype, and it is utterly abhorrent to degrade the first African American President of the United States by portraying a crazed chimp. Further insulting is the cartoon's violent imagery, given that police brutality continues to be a widespread problem for the African American community.
Criticism of the government and of the President is certainly healthy and welcome in a democratic society. But to perpetuate racism and violence is simply gross, offensive and sensational.
Urge Sean Delonas and the NY Post to issue an apology for the cartoon.
We the undersigned demand an apology for the cartoon about the stimulus package featuring a crazed chimpanzee.
While Congress is officially the body who drafts up the stimulus package, it is widely seen as Obama's plan. The association of blacks with monkeys has been a longheld, demeaning stereotype. Further insulting is the cartoon's violent imagery, given that police brutality continues to be a widespread problem for the African American community.
Criticism of the government and of the President is certainly healthy and welcome in a democratic society. But to perpetuate racism and violence is simply gross, offensive and sensational.
We urge you to issue an apology to the President of the United States and the American people.
