NY Post Cartoon Proves Racism is Alive & Well

When I heard that there was a cartoon in the NY Post that depicted President Obama as a chimp my immediate thought was that I had misheard what was said or the cartoon was being depicted wrong. But my confusion quickly turned to disgust and outrage when I saw the piece.

It is so very saddening and unbelievable that we are in 2009 and we have such blatant examples of racism alive and well in the United States. So much so that one that depicts the President, the holder of the highest office in the US, in such a disrespectful way. I am one that believes that racism will always be a characteristic in our society because it is so deeply woven into the foundation of the United States and continues to be perpetuated in all levels.

Foolishly so, when President Obama was elected many ignorantly proposed that the need for civil rights was not gone and the Black struggle was over. Just the thought of this being the case was a foolish with the realities regarding the history of African Americans and continued discriminatory and racist practices we are faced with. The removal of segregation laws and other barriers did not remove the deep seated belief that many white Americans have of Blacks.

So to now have such a blatant cartoon that clearly disrespects President Obama and all African Americans should be a wake-up call to those that think the struggle for equality is over. To see this cartoon in a presumably credible national publication is very alarming. For them to feel free to print it so boldly seems as if they had no fears of retribution and that it was okay. But perhaps this is one of things you have to be Black to understand. Actually no, anyone should be able to see the disrespect and racism! Considering the long standing historical reference of African Americans as apes/monkeys, the cartoon is truly offensive. To deny the reference to President Obama is to insult the intelligence of those offended. President Obama is the lead author of the stimulus bill, so why wouldn't one automatically think the chimp in the cartoon that is laying on the ground with two gun shots represents him, especially when the caption says, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."

The only positive that I can see from this cartoon is that it publicly displays the feelings that many whites try to deny. Perhaps these feelings are so deep within their subconscious that they trick themselves into believing they are not racist.

Such hateful and racist thoughts and actions must come to an end!