I don't like it, but it does bring things out in the open. If you listen to talk radio, people actually believe this! I LOVE talk radio because you can't see faces, so people are anonymous. Anonymity brings true feelings. There are a whole lot of people that think this way too. Kinda makes them look pretty stupid to just latch on to every stereotype they hear.
The reality is they are just insecure themselves. Many insecurity issues stem from a lack of esteem in one's own accomplishments, relationships, sense of personal power to better their own lives, families, etc. People like that respond primarily to their current emotional state. Let’s not do the same. We are a thinking people seeking to understand “Why?” Maybe the New Yorker just wanted to sabotage the campaign. Maybe the New Yorker wants to keep the status quo. Maybe the New Yorker even wanted to earn a buck. More likely the New Yorker, a LIBERAL publication whose primary role is to satirize, not glamorize polarizing events, sought to expose it’s readers to the stereotypes. "Let’s talk about it," is their defense. Even CNN stated that most people's biggest problem wasn't Michelle’s "Gun-toting Angela Davis" depiction, nor the "terrorist fist bump" the militants (lol) used, not even the "Osama Bin Laden" portrait in the oval office...it was the burning of the American Flag!
This is exactly what we supporters for change want, people to openly argue how ridiculous these stereotypes are. Mind you, nobody has the gumption to argue FOR the merits of the cover. If they do, I hope they try it with me. We're just lucky they've never seen Obama's eastern looking, turban wearing barber (lol).
I feel that people maxmize on having the lime light this was not neccessary but now they are all over the place how much do they value money that is what this looks like
Wednesday, July 16th 2008 at 12:49PM
Lutonya Lang
Hi Rob:
You are correct. This was a half full/half empty type of perception. Upon, observing allthe comments from the 30 Groups for Obama that I subscribe too, I realized that we coul turn this on it's ear.
As always speak from empirical obervations. My friend who is 27 years old married to an Italian-American ( and I am calling oout the ethnicities for a specific reason) is Russian. Very much so.
I sent her a donation page from MYBarackObama.com site. She answered that. her husband said that Obama was a Muslim aND for that sole reason he waS not voting for him. My first reaction was great! The New Yorker will trump my explanations.
But what became apparent is that, the national discussion has highlighted the very inaccuracies they brought out for public scrutiny. That is the positive fall out.
However, would wou say the same if they showed Minister Farrakhan as a pimp with a fedora, pink feather and high heeled 60's shoes, tying that to the "harems" or multiple wives that Islam allows? with a reference to all the Sisters at their beck and call in paradise?
How about a group of Jews, cooking pork in a gas over? There are other means to open dialogue, Satire can be used to get a covert message across while pretending to be in your face.
How about Obama in a black and white chaing gang suit admonishing the brothers to take responsiblity?
How about Michelle, whose natural expression sometimes looks "unapproachable" as a "white" shop owner said to me? a caricature of her - paying for gas at a gas station, and complaining about the high prices (which would appear legitimate) but scowllng and arguing with the attendant, seemingly underscoring the covert belief that Black American women are "difficult" a racially charged term (particularly in employment and law) used to depict us as agressive, unruly, etc?
Think about the "satirical" references. I like Obama's answer "the 'toon' is out of 'tune' with America.
I am watching a real live human being respond to this incisive, injurious sickening ,unacceptable bigotry with tremendous intellect, courage and grace.
