… right where the tabloid wants to be?
For more on this “flap,” see first here, and then here and, here.
(The headline to this post is Portfolio’s. And I thought I’d already found the craziest-sounding headline this chimp story had generated).
The Kicker
01:02 PM - February 18, 2009
“NY Post In Obama-Chimp-Stimulus-Racism Flap…”
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#Realtalk: This is the best moment to be in journalism - The old stuff isn’t coming back, but that’s okay
Streams of consciousness - Millennials expect a steady diet of quick-hit, social-media-mediated bits and bytes. What does that mean for journalism?
Sticking with the truth - How ‘balanced’ coverage helped sustain the bogus claim that childhood vaccines can cause autism
An ink-stained stretch - Can Aaron Kushner save the Orange County Register—and the newspaper industry?
This is the best moment to be in journalism (25)
The WSJ editorial page hits rock bottom (19)
In AP, Rosen investigations, government makes criminals of reporters
“[A]s flagrant an assault on civil liberties as anything done by George W. Bush’s administration”
Jay Carney press briefing blues
“Reporters are increasingly skeptical about Carney’s demeanor and the veracity of some answers”
Jaron Lanier wants to build a new middle class on micropayments
A future where writers can gain wealth through a “freelance economy”
Public television’s attempts to placate David Koch
CJR's Guide to Online News Startups
Uptown Messenger – Hyperlocal news for a neighborhood in New Orleans
Who Owns What
The Business of Digital Journalism
A report from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Questions and exercises for journalism students.
Can I just point out, in case no one else did already, that the cartoon says 'They'll have to find someone else to WRITE the next stimulus bill"? Did Obama write the bill? No he did not. So, is it even Obama supposedly portrayed in the cartoon or is it meant to be about the lawmakers, senators, congressmen, etc who actually WROTE the bill. Obama signed it, he did not write it (though perhaps he had a part in the penning of the document but he was certainly not alone by a long shot). So that's just food for thought. The other headline-grabbing story was of the chimpanzee who tore his owner's friend literally to pieces. I think if anyone should be offended by the cartoon, it should be those families. Just think about things people!
#1 Posted by kez, CJR on Thu 19 Feb 2009 at 02:40 AM
stupid people will buy the bull excuse the post gave...Anyone who has studied literature, symbolism, or at least can read will know this is an obvious allusion to Obama. By choosing to represent Obama with a chimp is Low. It plays to all of the old stereotypes about black people being ape like, stupid, foolish, less than human etc. I don't mind them printing this cartoon, cause I believe racists need freedom of speech too. Its the B.S. excuse that ticks me off. Don't insult my intelligence. Just admit You are racist and you hate Obama. Then maybe you would have my respect New York Post.
#2 Posted by Raul, CJR on Thu 19 Feb 2009 at 06:29 AM
Funny, I dont remember similar outrage at Jeff Danziger of his catoons?
So much for post racial politics.
#3 Posted by Ted Ferro, CJR on Thu 19 Feb 2009 at 11:09 AM
Kez, THANK YOU! Pres. Obama did not write this bill. (I doubt he's even read all of it, I know that I probably wouldn't have in his shoes) The dead chimp is a headline-news reference and nothing more. Granted, there is a sickening history of racist comments in this nation, and I can see how this cartoon could be taken that way... but as to INTENT?! I don't see it... BTW: were any of the lawmakers responsible for this (mediocre at best) "Stimulus Bill" of african descent? If there were, perhaps THEY should complain...
#4 Posted by Lance L, CJR on Fri 20 Feb 2009 at 01:13 PM
The cartoon as they call it was totally stupid, totally racist, totally not funny, and totally representative of the idiots at the Post, whoever they are because most people never read it.
#5 Posted by richie, CJR on Sat 21 Feb 2009 at 02:01 AM
This is about the day the race card died. Citing racism is not about how you feel about something. It's about facts and the discrimination laws in place. Fact: cops shot an out of control chimp. The cartoon aludes to this incident that took place in Conn. The cartoon caption clearly says WRITES. The president of the US does not write Bills. The Congress does. The chimp represents the Congress of the US.
#6 Posted by evc, CJR on Sun 22 Feb 2009 at 07:39 PM
A Web page that shows pictures of Bush next to pictures of monkeys isn't racist. Why? Because bush is white.
A cartoon depicting a monkey and refering to the stimulus bill is racist. But only to the people who are all to quick to pull the racism card.
In response, HTTP://www.ObamaAndChimps.com
Pictures of Obama next to pictures of chimps. You decide.
#7 Posted by Obama Supporter, CJR on Mon 23 Feb 2009 at 09:02 PM
A Web page that shows pictures of Bush next to pictures of monkeys isn't racist. Why? Because bush is white.
A cartoon depicting a monkey and refering to the stimulus bill is racist. But only to the people who are all to quick to pull the racism card.
In response, HTTP://www.ObamaAndChimps.com
Pictures of Obama next to pictures of chimps. You decide.
#8 Posted by Obama Supporter, CJR on Mon 23 Feb 2009 at 09:04 PM