*A friend that resides in Ohio afforded this to me her nickname is Sylvie. I'm sure everyone recognizes this little piece of artwork. It has sparked a major controversy all over the news channels, etc. A war or words is growing over it.
Is this depicting racial discrimination ... alive and well in the USA?
Is it a direct blow at our newly elected President Obama?
What do you think?
"I think America is suffering right now, and our new President is working hard to try to start us on the road to recovery, while people continue to play games that have no place in society now. People need to start working together to make this President successful. If he is successful, then America will be successful. That means us, people." ~ Sylvie.
i think this is a disgusting thing. i think those that published this are wearing their ignorance and a dangerously low sense of journalism on their sleeve.... this is crude and frightening and should not be tolerated... what about the cover of (was it the New York Post?) of Barack and Michelle Obama dressed as terrorists with machine guns? what are these morons thinking?
ReplyDeleteThis is not even the least bit funny, it is ignorant.
ReplyDeleteI had been giving the ability to post it Jen and yes I believe it was in the Washington post. I never saw the ones on the New York Post but I was pondering back a few days after I read her blog and it struck me about the media and are or do we live in a state of mind where there are things such as this still that take place and should they be allowed or should they be seen as freedom of speech.
ReplyDeleteI know there was an much talk about it and it seems that some feel that there should be the allowance of freedom of speech but I really ponder on it. It's obvious what it's saying...
After reading a few blogs tonight and earlier today I had posted my own this kind of was the right time to ask this question from another angle Karyn.
ReplyDeleteHow far have we come or have we? hmm.
freedom of speech does not = responsibility of speech ... they can post whatever or just about whatever (apparently) they desire.. but there is an ethical question here as well i believe
ReplyDeleteThat rag is full of crap and is lying about not knowing it would offend...rolls eyes
ReplyDeleteand no, I'm not her step-sister, but then I'm not related to most who claim me as relative on here
I see but all the same hello funny picture you have there...I had to inquire.
ReplyDeleteYeah I think it all speaks for itself but not sure if this is where we really have come too...my thoughts.
Which comes down to independant choices...but the ones that conjur up this and then pass it out - remember Danfor? And I am trying to think if there was an apology? But there this really went havoc over the defamation.
ReplyDeleteJen I think probably that is what it does come down too, it's not the place for me. However that all said we have the ability by way of choice as to what we believe in and what we wish to believe in and actually give attention too. I gave attention to it as I wanted to see what the thoughts were from this angle on my blog.
as per picture, it is a stolen from the internet copy of a painting by some unknown....I do that a lot
ReplyDeleteI don't but to each their own.
ReplyDeleteKris Kristofferson sang in the 70's "Everybody's got to have somebody to look down on" He was being sarcastic but I think those kinds of feelings and need for power over others causes a lot of the pain in our world. I do not believe those journalists did not mean anything by the cartoon. I think they know whom it would appeal to.
ReplyDeleteIgnorance is bliss but should it be have some ramifications where there is an apology? Hmm...
I agree with Sadie...
ReplyDeleteI think we have become a nation of "offended" people, it has made it where people are SCARED to voice their thoughts or opinions for fear they will be labeled a racist or bigot, or religious fanatic etc. etc. So to fit in with the crowd everyone just stands back and waits to see who the majority will side with and then jump on THAT bandwagon so they will not have to stand alone, or stand up for their own thoughts and beliefs. I for one am tired of the media always trying to stir the pot and keep everyone looking for the conspiracy that everyone is out to do wrong to someone else. YES the media can and does go to far!
ReplyDeleteYou said much their...we have worked so hard to have our societies secure and are sacrificing so much within all realms of what we are afforded and yet I don't take all the media in that much. But I think the Jenny said it really well as we have to filter things I suppose. But yeah it does tend to go to far. Not in one country but I guess this write was from the Washington Post, but it happens here as well to a different extent.
ReplyDeleteThat cartoon has already been well discussed on other posts. It is extremely racist and extremely offensive to all except the ignorant. Don't blame the whole media though for the work of a few stupid people.
ReplyDeleteNor I but in any given organization everything goes through a process before it's passed on and allowed.
ReplyDeleteI'd say the media does go to far, at least in the sense that they go far beyond what could possibly be considered good taste. I would love to see the media use a bit more discretion surely.
ReplyDeleteBut at the same time, I am against censorship. I don't think what an artist chooses to paint, a writer to write, or a cartoonist to draw should be censored....at least not in the sense that anyone should be allowed to ban it.
I think it'd be a good thing if citizens would just stop buying what offends them. How long would the newpapers, magazines, and television stations continue to display such as this if they knew they would suffer sales because of it?
They wouldn't be doing this to start with if the good citizens weren't creating a market for it.
Sneaks back in to insert the missing "loss" after sales.
ReplyDeleteIt's not even the media in itself but it's the people using the media that makes situations like these dangerous because we all know how powerful can be especially in terms of influencing public opinion. But I still believe that people are intelligent enough to distinguish between what is right and wrong.
ReplyDeleteAnd may I add, these kinds of images somehow give us a peek into the subconscious of an individual and how his or her prejudice is deeply rooted just by looking at these images.
ReplyDeleteSee that and things about Murrdock doing the same in the banks with his media corporation. :)
ReplyDeleteGood morning and yes I believe so. I mean hey there are great papers and there are others which are what they are. Here in Canada we have the CRTC, and they do have some manner in which they can choose what is played and done on the radio. But within the news it's done here too but in a different way. We take allot of witty pun shots at various things. But I don't believe there is a need nor reason to do anything as such. But they apologized but what's his name - yeah Senator Al Sharpton, that guy just will not quite.
ReplyDeleteYes you are mentioning the same thing that Jenny has and I believe that we do that with our lives it's up to us to do things by way of choice. Grabbing coffee as this morning it's colder than.....!
Thank you the one with the resilient smile...
Some of the media go overboard, that's for sure but then, that's their business, isn't it? To make money selling stories, controversy, sensationalism, etc. That's not all of them, of course, but there does seem to be a little Paroratsi in every newscast on tv.
ReplyDeleteI get especially concerned when they're covering a crime that's under investigation and hasn't gone to trial yet. The rule is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty but, that doesn't seem to be the case. And how does a person get an unbiased trial if information is all over the tv, internet, radio and in the papers?
True, sensationalism sells and since the media business is half 'business' and half [or maybe even less in some cases] 'public service' [which is not quite what it was used to a long, long time ago], then you have a media with an 'identity crisis' as to the role it's supposed to play.
ReplyDeleteWulf just brought up a very good point. The media really shouldn't be allowed to biase potential jury pools. Especially considering getting a change of venue (sp?) can be very difficult,if not impossible to get.
ReplyDeleteFunny you rarely hear such a public outcry over the potential poisoning of juries. The people want to know all the details (however empty of actual fact they may be) no matter what the cost there may be to a possibly innocent defendant.
"Do You Feel the Media Can Go Too Far?"
ReplyDeleteYep. In more ways than one.
Yeah, I agree. American media coverage is ridiculous. It's all absolutely ridiculous. (sp) Even watching the morning news requires the keen ability to read between the lines and seperate fiction from fact. Freedom of speech right?
ReplyDeleteYou always have a valid thought to post. I on the other hand am going to go ramble in a blog now filled with wit, blueberry vodka, humor and hopefully a decent dose of sarcasam.
LOL! In my little world, that's what makes the world go round!
Adore you much,
Me
I have not been on writing but coming back to this I do believe in freedom of speech YOU :), but I believe that like what a few have said above makes much sense. You remember how I loved to co create ideas and I love the diverseness Jenna...
ReplyDeletetotally initiative. i do understand. I wasn't challenging your point of view but was rather agreeing. I just noted the sanctity of the freedom of speech with a twist of sarcasm an humor at the whole situation....it's amazing how the whole concept is abused sometimes...or again...is it?
ReplyDeleteAbuse....it's something to think about. Perhaps there is another word for it. Who knows, I just think that we do things in a manner that we live and we abide by what our values are and leave that door open yet I am sure that all do know the difference between something that has a butterfly, chaotic effect that utilizes a race, person in an action that it obvious and common too see what it is.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there is a better word for it, I agree. I guess it might break down to the level of respect for others and the possibility of the validity and respect being provided regarding others' points of view. I adore your blog because you allow just that. The points of view from others around the world to be voiced. Kudos. It always keeps it interesting and provides open thought and learning.
ReplyDeleteJenna
Prejudice guised with the thoughts that they can just do it without any apprehension due to the fact that they work for a billionaire named Murrdock? :)
ReplyDeleteCreative writing.
ReplyDeleteHow I love my American freedoms...yet. Our media is very aware of its ability to create from nothing an idea that someone, or something is one way/thing or another. What used to be the work of play and screen writers has become the objective of journalists. And few do it better.
I agree with Jenna here "I guess it might break down to the level of respect for others and the possibility of the validity..."
Perhaps more of this, and less of creativity in reporting?
Charlie me as well she seems to sum it's all up in the words that she said. Was there not a time in which there was reporting but it was unbiased they just reported the news. Peter Jennings, the ABC anchor I forget his name at the moment, Peter Browkaw? Now it seems within America ( I will say this much ) unlike Canada as it's still an unbiased reporting scenario. But Lou Dobbs, and whichamacall it on Fox - that is far too extreme for me - is perhaps part of the problem as we do or most believe in what they see on the news today they don't actually challenge it as they are used to the likes of Browkaw, Jennings and so forth. Is liberal reporting enabling the media or the anchorman/woman to place there own values and push them onto us?
ReplyDeleteBy the way there is a great reporter that hails on CNN his name is "John D. Roberts" as well as there is another great on that bring up the level of respectful reporting -> Peter Mansbridge and Anderson Cooper.
I think you've commented to the crux of it all. I am old enough to nostalgically remember times when the standards were higher. Thankfully, there are a few honest voices among us.
ReplyDeletegenerally, the term "liberal press" is applied to those who hold a politically left position, however, your grouping of FOX News anchors among the other media really speaks more accurately to the dilemma. Liberality in the press is more than a political position, it has devolved into a craftiness of right or left or any other position on the political spectrum of manipulation designed to enforce an agenda.
It is a very unfruitful search for the pure in heart lately.
Yet there are good people out there...definately.
ReplyDeleteyep
ReplyDelete