New Yorker cover - Satire or smear?
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/07/14/art.tiltedobama.jpg width=292 height=320]
Gina McCauley
Blogger and founderOh yes folks, Liberal creatives are having a field day this election season with their depictions of Michelle Obama. Proving that you can revel in racist depictions of Black people as long as you have a really good reason.
We previously showed you a "satirical" piece where Michelle was depicted being lynched by the Klan( Michelle Obama Depicted Being Tortured: Liberal Bloggers Lose Their Ever Loving Minds)
Now they are back at it depicting her as a terrorist rocking an afro and a machine gun. Barack Obama offered his standard response: None at all. (the campaign later issued a statement after his initial non committal response)I am beginning to see the wisdom of his silence, this is going to go on and on and on for the next five months he might as well save up for October:
Editor's Note: Gina McCauley is the founder of Blogging While Brown, Michelle Obama Watch, and What About Our Daughters?
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I think it was discusting. I saw michelle on the view and was so proud of her. She is such a classy lady and this probably really hurt her. This picture showed that racism and hurtful predjudice is still a part of living in America for black people. Why can't we be judged by content of our character and not by the color of our skin? Martin Luther King asked this question over 40 years ago, but it's still relavent today. I see America is trying to throw God out of our country, but still hold on to hate and predjuice. Yet I still love this country because of our religious freedom that we have here. Even though Obama is Christian we are supposed to have religious freedom in this country don't we?
Outrageous and racist, and anyone who tries to defend it is either (1) anti-Barack or (2) hoping to turn the Muslims against Barack. Because The New Yorker did not even add verbiage to the cover, it reemphasizes the fact that they want people to think exactly what the cover depicts. Many folks who don't read The New Yorker will not know that this is supposed to be satire (if truly it is). I notice that ex-Hillary supporter , James Carville, thinks it's funny and "no big deal". It is a huge deal and racism should not be tolerated no matter how it is "couched".
And, of course, I have not read the article and won't because I won't buy the magazine and I will encourage my friends and anyone who I can contact / blog / email / etc. to cancel their subscriptions.
The New Yorker will clearly do anything to see subscriptions ... it won't work this time ...
It is a joke. Come on people, every politician has been subject to this kind of satire. Look at what the networks have said about McCain and Bush, not near as bad as what the New Yorker did, which is an obvious joke, the Networks are serious. No, I am not Republican, I just think Obama is so sensitive about ANYTHING that might take away a single vote, he is acting like a baby. If you are going to get into the political arena, you have to get a little thicker skin. He is so afraid of anything that doesn't put him in the best of light that he makes a fool of himself. He does not belong in this arena if he can't take the heat. He would have better off to laugh it off than be so offended, look he is getting press. I am disgusted with his "don"t say anything against me or or my wife" attitude, when he is consistently going after McCain. You know what, what goes around comes around. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
James Carville and The New Yorker Team need to live as a muslim or african american for 1 week in america, then and see if they really see this as true satire? or is it really what there grandparents, instilled in them?
The cover and article could have been affective if it actually covered this issue and maybe even had on the cover "TRUE OR FALSE" . It wasn't satire as I know it, It was about making money. There is no humor in burning the flag with the man responsible for killing our Americans on the mantle piece. It Is tasteless. The New Yorker is illusional if they think this article is cleaver most people aren't going to read the artilcle (although even if they do, it won't help explain the ignorance of those that feel this way). Where is the truth here?
It was ignorant, I was drawn to the magazine to wonder WHAT THE HECK! However, I won't buy it and hope others won't support the magazine.
Obama stay on point to heck with those that act like they don't know any better.
The New Yorker cover of Obama and his wife depicted as terrorists, with Osama bin Laden looking on, is a disgrace! This cheap, racist stunt is intended to influence the electorate. Hopefully, enough voters will be so disgusted by it that it will backfire. This is just the latest off-base attack on Obama, yet McCain - with all his conservative to right-wing statements and countless flip-flops, is given a free pass. A comparable "satire" on McCain would be depicting him as a fascist, dressed in a full Nazi uniform with a swastica on his armband. I haven't seen that yet, and hope I don't. The New Yorker and all of the media should refrain from gutter politics so the American people can make a decision on the issues.
Come on now...
I don't believe for one minute that there is one Black or African Americans...or even Muslim Americans for that matter that believes Barack Obama is a Muslim if they knew anything about the candidate. I would bet money that the only Americans that believe this lie are European Americans – White Americans, and to be more specific, those that are racist and are against Barack because of his race. People who hear his name and see his skin color and won't take a second look at the man and the issues he stands for. It would be interesting to dig deeper into the poll to find out what percentage were White versus other nationalities.
What's really sad though; especially for real Muslim Americans is that it is considered a smear or a bad thing to be considered muslim.
As a staunch supporter of Barack Obama, and {most importantly} as a lover of America, I was extremely offended by this magazine cover...not only for the lies {that it implies}, about Barack and his wife, but mostly about their portraying of the burning of our American flag.
That burning can not, and should not, be forgiven of the New Yorker.
How dare you, New Yorker, burn my flag.....How dare you!
SMEAR, regardless of their reported intent. The average american, the working class american does not read the New Yorker. The facists are going to have a field day with this now and later on.
The pic needed a caption! Makes you wonder?
I can not believe most of these comments! Let us not forget that this is a satirical "cartoon". Perhaps Americans who are up in arms about this need to focus more on why they do not get the joke. Unfortunately, all this does is give cable news shows fodder to distract the political conversation away from issues that are of great, great importance for Americans and the rest of the world. Get over it and spend an hour talking about fixing Iraq, health care or the economy. The real joke is that these issues are so forgotten. All the same, the New Yorker may have overestimated its readership, but I commend them for pushing the limits. In the context of the campaigns thus far (and the media treatment of each), this cover should be perfectly clear to any reasonable person. Wake up and 'Go Obama'!
The line was crossed. I will cancel my subscription to the New Yorker.
If this happens to mccain or any white person nothing is said. But God forbid this happening to a black person. Wow!
Every body is trying to prove that he is not a muslim like it is a shame/crime/dangerous/crazy to be a muslim. Question is can a muslim born in America be the President of USA or is it is not constitutional for a muslim to be a American president. Is hate created by media agaist muslim not letting even our smartest news commentators to think that it is OK for the President to be from any relegion??????
For the past day I have been talking to my colleagues and friends about the New Yorker cover. I must say both liberals and conservatives find this offensive. While I believe there is a small populus that believe Obama is a muslim about 12% according to newsweek magazine still cling to the thought the senator is a muslim. While being a muslim should not be a precursor to prejudice, it has been used as a mechanism to evoke fear and smear Mr. Obama. Lastly, there is that pesky problem of race. Mrs. Obama has demonstrated her professional credentials and she spoke on her patriotism. I think the main stream media need to keep this above the belt, never heard of this type of take on the Bush's, the Cheney's or the McCains.
I think there should be a caricature of the McCains with their adopted Bangladeshi daughter seated in front of a Koran inside the White House. After all, 80% of the Bangladeshi are muslim... how would the nation feel having one living in the White House... even if it is a child. It is her roots and her ethnic people. And while she is reading from the Koran, have Cindy McCain depicted as blogger LAUREN said at 7:30 p.m. today (July 14th). Maybe add a few empty bottles of prescription drugs. And on the wall, in a frame, have Sen. McCains class rank at the academy to remind people of his intelligence.
James and his 20th century mindset. The blatant disregard for how others may feel, other than himself, is exactly why Hillary lost the campaign. He still doesn't get it! Retire NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a terrible interpretation of "satire". As soon as our copy of this issue arrives in the mail I will be tearing off the cover and sending it back to the New Yorker headquarters! I suggest other subscribers do the same.
I am a 60 year old white female; not exactly a hot head ultra liberal. I am embarassed how political commentary has been reduced to Jerry Springer levels. Whatever happened to discussion of ideas, goals and debate?
How anyone can call insult, defamation, and slander satire is beyond me. This is hateful, racist, sexist, and just plain poor taste. Is this the New Yorker or the Ku Klux Klan Gazette?
Shame on you New Yorker. What a way to endear yourself to our next president.
I guess you can say sayonara to those White House dinner invitations you may have received.
Many people I have talked to in the black community are outraged about this assault on a prominent political man. He is a Christian man; calling him muslim is extremely biased, He reads the bible not the Koran. Disrespecting our county by burning our much respected flag in the fireplace is wrong. This statement shows our ignorance and disillusions to our people. Yes we pound our fists because of our pride. This does not meen we disrespect our patriotism to our country. This is not a JOKE its a lynching against a respected patriot.
Gosh, I knew the KKK was alive and well, but I had no idea their headquarters was in New York! I can't fully express my outrage at the despicable portrayal of Michelle and Barack Obama. The depiction will simply reinforce misconceptions people (who will never read the article) have. My understanding is that the article actually has nothing to do with the cover. Well, the New Yorker has gotten attention and I guess that is what it is all about. If they had to display racism to get it, then what does that make them? A lowly part of the media they were supposedly (wink, wink) satirizing.
Wonder what the reaction would be if it was against a jewish candidate?
There are some people that are bent on the falling of america–unknowingly. The New York magazine is one of these institution.
Perhaps we need to see past New Yorker covers to determine how outrageous (or not) this satirical cover is. Would love to hear from the artist and editor as to their thinking. I usually find the humor in things, but didn't even chuckle when I saw this one!
Jolene, St. Joseph, MI
Change.
To make it, requires dramatic action. The New Yorker is a great magazine and when I first heard about this story, I was shocked. But after thinking about it, it's true. This is going to and already has caused intense debate... debates which do not include anyone believing Obama is actually a Muslim.
On another note, this magazine is an intellectual magazine and for those not familiar with the magazine, there might be a misunderstanding. These intellectuals are creative individuals and they are also trying to cause change. It is up to us to believe in the change that the new yorker is presenting.
Okay, here is the simple truth about the New Yorker cover. I have 3 grandchildren who are bi-racial. Their ages are 12, 9 and 7. These are the 3 most beautiful souls in the world. They have been very proud of Barack Obama and our support of his campaign. Each night they watch CNN with us as Wolf Blitzer reports from the situation room, The political program in the evening and AC360. When they here reporting – they're full of pride.
This evening, they were devastated. Kay (12) cried, my 9 year old grandson said (and got the corner) "Oh sh-t!" and the 7 year old slammed her door.
Then they asked - will Obama be President and the most HORRIBLE thing - they asked if they were Muslims and terror people.
Thanks a million, New Yorker.
As a 73 yr. old white woman, I find this supposed satire a disgusting way of portraying Barack Obama and his wife as radiacal, unAmerican liberal democrats. I only wish that the people behind the cover would have to run for cover, as I would love to pelt them with all the excrement I could come up with.