News, commentary and analysis by leaders of the Communist Party USA in New York State. We discuss State politics and issues in New York City, covering developments in labor, civil rights education, housing and more.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Protest racist NY Post Cartoon

The New York Post has reached a new low, even by their standards. The editorial cartoon in the morning edition of today's paper was shockingly offensive: It depicts police officers who have just shot a mad ape. One of the officers, in the cartoon (click here to see it), says, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."

What are they trying to say?


Rev. Al Sharpton noted "
the historic racist attacks on African-Americans as being synonymous with monkeys." He further added:

"
Being that the stimulus bill has been the first legislative victory of President Barack Obama (the first African American president) and has become synonymous with him it is not a reach to wonder are they inferring that a monkey wrote the last bill? Given that the New York Post cartoonist came under heavy fire in the past for racially tinged cartoons including the infamous cartoons depicting 2001 mayoral candidate Freddy Ferrer and me in very unflattering ways that were used as a divisive campaign tactic, one cannot ignore their history when one finds out what they could possibly mean by this morning's cartoon.

"The Post should at best clarify what point they were trying to make or in fact reprimand their cartoonist for making inferences that are offensive and divisive at a time the nation struggles to come together to stabilize the economy."


Elena Mora, National Organization Secretary for the CPUSA and contributor to the People's Weekly World, said "This cartoon in today's NY Post is as despicable as the Post gets --
and it does get despicable, frequently, with its right wing, anti-labor, racist, and non-reporting reporting. This, however, is over the top, and we should protest."


A rally in front of the NY Post headquarters, at 1211 6th Ave between 47th and 48th, has been scheduled for February 19, 2009 at 12:00 pm. Sharpton and other leaders will be there to protest the Post's blatantly racist cartoon.


Call the Post at 212-930-8500, or 212-930-8272, or fax a letter to 212-930-8190. Also, letters to the editor can be submitted online.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

With all due respect to the Post, they need to FIRE ANYONE WHO CREATES RACIST CARTOONS, ARTICLES OR PROMOTES RACISM IN ANY WAY! Shame on the Post for going so low and disrespectful even to attack a sitting President. I am so happy we finally have an African-American President and he deserves more respect than most Presidents. We have come so far and then this crap? Why does the Post insist on being racist? If the Post isn't racist they need to FIRE this racist cartoonist who only wants to see how much he can get away with and test the waters. He needs to sink in these waters now!