Conservatives Misunderstanding Caricatures

The Wall Street Journal’s, Best of the Web, today, is allegedly providing us with "A Little Perspective" on "Liberal Racism," which, no doubt, exists, but their perspective is being driven by editorial cartoons.

The catalyst for the lesson seems to be this Oliphant editorial cartoon, and the WSJ also provides us with a link to an individual’s blog, by the name of Winfield Myers, who is “cataloguing” a myriad of allegedly racist editorial cartoons.

Reading the Best of the Web post, regarding this little issue, and other blog posts and editorial commentary, and viewing the cartoons, leaves me scratching my head wondering if they’re more upset about the cartoons, or the little balloons where made up dialogue is written, though I’m leaning towards thinking they’re more upset about the cartoons, rather than the made up dialogue.  In most instances anyway.

I’m curious, do any of those individuals who are upset with the cartoons, understand what caricature means, and that most cartoonists practice it?

As for the made up dialogue in the little balloons, well, I suppose some of it could possibly be considered racist, but sticks and stones can break your bones but words can never hurt you.  Well, unless you’re a tad over sensitive.

Posted by on 11/18 at 06:20 PM

  1. Yes, this is nuts.  Especially this cartoon,

    Danziger Cartoons

    ...which does not strike me as racist in the least.  Powell looks like Abraham Lincoln or something.  It’s Bush--the white guy--who’s lacking in stature.

    Or this one,

    Political Cartoons

    ...which makes Powell, again, look like the good guy.

    Color me puzzled.  Oh wait, that’s probably a racist term.

    Posted by Jason Kuznicki  on  11/18  at  08:43 PM

  2. Straw man?  Of course editorial cartoonists use caricature and exaggeration: Nixon’s five o’clock shadow, Clinton’s nose, Bush’s ears, Kerry’s height and long face, Arafat’s weight and lips.

    You’re not saying that because the Oliphant cartoon is a caricature, it cannot be racist, are you?

    The cartoon Danziger removed from his own site isn’t caricature, though.  Its references are different, and back in April, Danziger drew Rice without such a reference.

    Posted by  on  11/19  at  06:50 AM

Name:

Email:

Location:

URL:

Smileys

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Submit the word you see below:


Next entry: "Riddle Me This"

Previous entry: All That's Royal

<< Back to main