While I’ve never been a huge fan of Al Sharpton, I think he has been right on target this week. I was reading an article on CNN today about the Post cartoon that is causing a huge stir, especially among people like Rev. Sharpton, as a racist jab at President Obama.
As you can see from the cartoon, the police are shooting a monkey for apparently writing a bad stimulus bill. The Post says the cartoon is supposed to be a reference to the woman who was mauled by her pet chimp (a whole other story that I could go on for days about). I totally understand where the Post is coming from, but I only understood their reference after I read the CNN article.
At first glance, I immediately took the monkey to represent our new president. I mean really, New York Post? You honestly did not see ONE THING wrong with this cartoon before you published it? This cartoon is just a lawsuit waiting to happen. Obviously the Post has monkeys drawing their cartoons for them (kidding).
Seriously, we live in a country now where these types of “slip-ups” are just not OK anymore. Not that they were ever OK, but several decades ago, this type of cartoon would probably not have been met by such a negative response. This should be a lesson to us to watch what we say and who we say it to. If you’re not careful about what you say, Al Sharpton might just come after you next. And that is such a scary thought.
Today, the New York Post apologized “if they offended anyone.” Yes, they should have known better. The cartoonist could have labeled the monkey Congress if that were the intent as is claimed. Did no one at the paper question whether this was a good idea?
All I can say to this is…wow. That was a HUGE mistake by the Post. I am in complete shock right now that something like that was actually published!